Anthem of the Seas update: Testing confirms no coronavirus

As earlier reported, Anthem of the Seas has been staying longer in Bayonne, New Jersey, to give health officials more time to report results from coronavirus tests on four passengers.

Departure put back to Monday

On Saturday, Royal Caribbean said the ship would wait until Monday.

When Anthem arrived Friday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decided four people from China needed testing. While everyone else was allowed to disembark and the next cruise was cleared to go ahead, Royal Caribbean voluntarily held the ship overnight for test results ‘to reassure concerned guests.’

Now that delay has been stretched two more days.

Compensation for lost days or penalty-free cancellation

Passengers will be compensated for the lost days of their cruise or can cancel for a full refund.

‘We are sorry for the disruption to their vacations and are eager to set sail,’ the cruise line added in a statement.

On Friday Royal Caribbean said the four people hadn't been in China since Jan. 26, 14 days earlier. The CDC and World Health Organization recognize the standard incubation period for coronavirus as 14 days.

The line also said none of the four showed clinical signs or symptoms of coronavirus when they were on board, though one tested positive for influenza A.

Chinese passport-holders barred

In addition to existing precautions, parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on Friday tightened its policies by announcing holders of Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau passports would be denied boarding across its fleet. At least two other lines have followed suit.

The 168,666gt Anthem of the Seas, a Quantum-class ship, has lower berth capacity for 4,190 passengers but typically carries many since third and fourth berths are occupied. A seven-night Bahamas cruise had been scheduled.