Coronavirus: last-minute cancellation of Hong Kong ‘cruise to nowhere’ after crew member’s positive result affects 1,200 passengers

Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating suspected ‘repositive case’ involving crew member on Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas

About 1,000 passengers had already boarded ship before the four-night trip was cancelled

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Spectrum of the Seas is berthed at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Photo: Martin Chan

Published: 1:07am, 22 Oct 2021Updated: 5:03pm, 22 Oct 2021

About 1,200 passengers booked on a “cruise to nowhere” from Hong Kong had their trip cancelled at the last minute on Thursday after a crew member tested positive for Covid-19, only to be told hours later the case could be a false alarm.

The Centre for Health Protection on Thursday night said it was investigating a suspected “repositive case” involving a 40-year-old crew member on Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas, berthed at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. He was tested on Tuesday.

It said he had no symptoms and his viral load was very low in the preliminary test.

According to the cruise company, the crew member received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine in April and May, and tested positive for the coronavirus in Malaysia in July.

The ship was meant to sail on Thursday. Photo: Martin Chan

He had undergone 10 tests since arriving in Hong Kong in August and all were negative.