Cruise ship leaves hundreds of Aussies stranded in another country
- Replies 9
The open ocean, a vast expanse of freedom and adventure, can sometimes present unforeseen challenges, even to the most seasoned travellers.
This was the case for over 100 Australian cruise enthusiasts whose journey aboard the Spectrum of the Seas turned into an unexpected extended stay in Japan due to mechanical issues.
But as the tides change, so does fortune, and the vessel is now back on course, heading to its original destination, Shanghai, with a tale of modern seafaring resilience.
The Spectrum of the Seas embarked on a seven-day cruise that promised to explore multiple Japanese ports, including the culturally rich cities of Kobe, Osaka, and Yokohama.
The passengers' excitement was palpable as they set sail from Shanghai, arriving on Saturday, 9 November.
However, the cruise hit a snag when the ship required 'unplanned maintenance', leaving it moored at Yokohama for several days longer than anticipated.
The delay was a curveball that no one saw coming, and it threw the itineraries of over 4,000 passengers, including 111 Australians, into disarray.
The unexpected hiccup in their travel plans was met with frustration and confusion, especially when communication from the cruise line seemed to be as adrift as the ship itself.
Passengers like Australians Steve and Karen Dermietzel found themselves in a peculiar situation. The crew held their passports, and they were denied permission to disembark.
‘They won’t allow us onto the Japanese land. It’s weird because, in the last 16 days, we’ve been on Japanese land on five different occasions,’ Steve said.
‘They don’t give us enough information though, and they blame Royal Caribbean, saying it’s being handled by head office and therefore due to US time, there’s a time-(lag) as well,’ Karen added.
The Dermietzels pointed out that the cruise operation's communication was less than satisfactory, with delays blamed on time differences and decisions being made by the Royal Caribbean's head office in the United States.
Royal Caribbean offered passengers a compensation of $600 each to re-book their disrupted travel plans.
But the Dermietzels said it wasn’t enough to cover the actual costs incurred. Fortunately, they had the foresight to back their journey with insurance.
On Sunday, 10 November, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean delivered the news that the Spectrum of the Seas had set sail from Yokohama and was on track to arrive in Shanghai on Monday, as promised.
‘We apologise to our guests for the inconvenience and are communicating with our guests directly,’ the spokesperson said.
The cruise line also assured them that communication was being handled directly with those affected.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also acknowledged the situation, noting that a number of Australians were on board the vessel delayed by 'unscheduled repairs’.
Have you ever faced a similar situation while on a cruise? How did the cruise line handle the situation, and what advice would you give fellow travellers to prepare for such eventualities? Share your stories in the comments below!
This was the case for over 100 Australian cruise enthusiasts whose journey aboard the Spectrum of the Seas turned into an unexpected extended stay in Japan due to mechanical issues.
But as the tides change, so does fortune, and the vessel is now back on course, heading to its original destination, Shanghai, with a tale of modern seafaring resilience.
The Spectrum of the Seas embarked on a seven-day cruise that promised to explore multiple Japanese ports, including the culturally rich cities of Kobe, Osaka, and Yokohama.
The passengers' excitement was palpable as they set sail from Shanghai, arriving on Saturday, 9 November.
Cruise ship Spectrum of Seas was stuck for several days. Credit: Wikipedia
However, the cruise hit a snag when the ship required 'unplanned maintenance', leaving it moored at Yokohama for several days longer than anticipated.
The delay was a curveball that no one saw coming, and it threw the itineraries of over 4,000 passengers, including 111 Australians, into disarray.
The unexpected hiccup in their travel plans was met with frustration and confusion, especially when communication from the cruise line seemed to be as adrift as the ship itself.
Passengers like Australians Steve and Karen Dermietzel found themselves in a peculiar situation. The crew held their passports, and they were denied permission to disembark.
‘They won’t allow us onto the Japanese land. It’s weird because, in the last 16 days, we’ve been on Japanese land on five different occasions,’ Steve said.
‘They don’t give us enough information though, and they blame Royal Caribbean, saying it’s being handled by head office and therefore due to US time, there’s a time-(lag) as well,’ Karen added.
The Dermietzels pointed out that the cruise operation's communication was less than satisfactory, with delays blamed on time differences and decisions being made by the Royal Caribbean's head office in the United States.
Royal Caribbean offered passengers a compensation of $600 each to re-book their disrupted travel plans.
But the Dermietzels said it wasn’t enough to cover the actual costs incurred. Fortunately, they had the foresight to back their journey with insurance.
On Sunday, 10 November, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean delivered the news that the Spectrum of the Seas had set sail from Yokohama and was on track to arrive in Shanghai on Monday, as promised.
‘We apologise to our guests for the inconvenience and are communicating with our guests directly,’ the spokesperson said.
The cruise line also assured them that communication was being handled directly with those affected.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also acknowledged the situation, noting that a number of Australians were on board the vessel delayed by 'unscheduled repairs’.
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