June 3 updates: Spectrum lands China crew, more Princess cancellations, CLIA Australasia Masters event on hold

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Spectrum of the Seas lands Chinese crew

Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas called at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal to bring 400 Chinese crew home after four months and two days at sea.

All the 400 crew members were tested negative for COVID-19 and a hotel had been designated for their 14-day quarantine.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Spectrum of the Seas is the second international cruise ship berthed at the Shanghai port after Quantum of the Seas, which returned to China in April.

Princess cancels Canada, Australia, Taiwan cruises

In response to the extended cruise ship bans by Canada and Australia, along with the ongoing uncertainty of ports reopening for cruise ships in Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, Princess Cruises confirmed further cancellations.

These include cruises to and from Australia departing Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 on Sea, Majestic, Sun and Sapphire Princess.

Also canceled: cruises touching Seattle and Vancouver, BC, in September and October on Coral, Emerald, Grand, Royal, Ruby and Star Princess, and seven-day round-trips from San Francisco in September and October (Pacific and California coast itineraries on Star Princess).

Round-trip Keelung cruises Aug. 5-23 on Majestic Princess will not operate, either. 

The line is offering a 125% future cruise credit that may be used until May 1, 2022, and continues its ‘Double your Deposit’ offer. Or a full refund can be requested online.

Plans for CLIA Australasia’s 2020 Masters Conference on hold

A spokesman for Cruise Lines International Association Australasia said it will consider offering this year’s Masters Conference virtually.

The spokesman said there is strong demand from members to proceed with this year’s graduation from Ambassador status to Cruise Master even if it cannot be held aboard a ship.

‘While cruise operations are suspended it isn’t possible to announce plans for the annual Masters Conference,’ he said. CLIA Australasia will review the situation ‘in the coming period.’

There were 50 new Cruise Masters in 2019 following the intensive training course aboard Ruby Princess during a six-day round cruise from Sydney to Tasmania on November 2. This took the number of Cruise Masters in Australia and New Zealand from 320 to 370.

Robyn Sinfield, who co-owns Tasmania’s Home Travel Company with her husband Murray, was a guest speaker who took part in CLIA Australasia’s first Masters Conference.

Scott Koepf, the US-based sales guru and motivator who has overseen every annual Masters Conference since 1999, is expected to take part again —  even if it is not seaside.