Australian health authorities are reporting about 182 passengers aboard Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas have been sickened with a gastrointestinal virus during a recent cruise.
Royal Caribbean notified the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District of the virus.
No patients required treatment at a hospital, although paramedics were on hand when Explorer of the Seas docked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at The Rocks just before 6am on Wednesday.
A representaive from the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District indicated the ship would undergo extra cleaning to control the outbreak prior to new passengers being able to board.
Two Royal Caribbean ships met for the first time in Sydney harbor for the first time recently.
Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas arrived to her new home in Sydney over the weekend, where she was "welcomed" by sister ship Voayger of the Seas.
The two ships brought almost 10,400 passengers and crew and almost $1.6 million into the Sydney economy in passenger spend on this one day alone.
“With over 10,000 people on board the two ships, it’s the equivalent of having the entire population of Byron Bay out on the harbour at one time,” said Adam Armstrong, commercial director, Royal Caribbean International.
Explorer of the Seas arrived in Sydney, concluding a 16-night epic Australia and New Zealand voyage from Fremantle, with guests from more than 30 countries onboard eager to witness the new ship’s maiden Sydney arrival. While Voyager of the Seas departs Sydney on a seven-night Tasmania sailing bound for her first port, Melbourne, on Monday.
“We’ve invested US$160 million in makeovers on both ships in recent years and the result is two spectacular cruise ships offering the biggest choice of incredible Australian-first features including ice skating rinks, exceptional dining options, Broadway-style shows, 3D cinemas, completely refreshed public spaces and staterooms, rock climbing walls, full size sports courts and the Royal Promenade - an indoor street running the length of the ship with shops, a cafe and bars.”
At 138,194 gross tons, 311 metres long and 38 metres wide, Explorer of the Seas takes the crown of Australia’s largest cruise ship from twin sister ship Voyager of the Seas.
During her five month season Explorer of the Seas will inject almost $44 million into the Australian economy including almost $41 million in Sydney in passenger spend alone.
Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas arrived in Singapore today, marking her first visit ever to the famous Asian port.
Over 3,200 guests arrived in Singapore, with another 3,200 who boarded the next sailing, which is a 10-night Asia repositioning cruise from Singapore to Perth, Australia.
Traditional plaque exchanges were conducted onboard between Captain Kjetil Gjerstad and Michelle Chan, Assistant Director, Cruise Industry Development of Singapore Tourism Board, as well as Bob Chi, Chief Executive Officer of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services.
Photos by Royal Caribbean International
Explorer of the Seas is the sixth Royal Caribbean ship visiting Singapore this year, making it the most number of ships from this brand ever in Singapore in a year.
She will embark on her inaugural Australian season homeporting in Sydney thereafter, featuring South Pacific cruises till March 2016.
Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas is on her way to Australia, but along the way made her first stop ever in India.
Explorer of the Seas stopped in Goa on October 27, 2015 and in Cochin on October 28, 2015.
At both stops, she was welcomed by the local port officials and Royal Caribbean’s Indian representatives.
An official plaque and key ceremony was conducted onboard between Captain Kjetil Gjerstad and Sri. Senthilvel, deputy chairman of Cochin Port. This is Royal Caribbean’s third ship to visit India this year, following Rhapsody of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas.
Explorer of the Seas is currently on an 11-Night Middle East and Asia Cruise which started from Dubai and will also visit Penang and Port Klang before ending in Singapore.
Explorer of the Seas departed Southampton, England today and will sail for 42 days through Europe and via Dubai, India and Asia before arriving in Perth, Australia on November 13.
Once Explorer of the Seas arrives in Perth, she will offer a 16-night itinerary around the southern half of Australia and New Zealand, before arriving at her new homeport of Sydney on November 28.
On that same day, sister ship Voyager of the Seas will be in Sydney harbor as well and both ships will be present to meet for what is sure to be a great photo opportunity.
Explorer of the Seas arrives in Australia just months after receiving a multimillion dolar makeover back in April. She features a number of new additions and improvements including
FlowRider surf simulator
New restaurants
Chops Grille
Giovanni's Table
Izumi
two new bars
Virtual balcony staterooms
Panoramic staterooms
Complete refresh of all public spaces and staterooms
Guests sailing on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas can purchase a dining package that gets them access to three specialty restaurants for one low price.
Royal Caribbean claims dining at these venues without the package would cost $75, netting guests a $30 savings.
Fliers for the packages are available on Explorer of the Seas and started appearing onboard earlier this summer.
Royal Caribbean has been experimenting with offering dining packages throughout this year. Earlier this year, unlimited dining packages have been offered on a few Royal Caribbean ships.
Royal Caribbean is offering free cruise fare for third and fourth passengers for guests in a triple or quad occupancy stateroom on Explorer of the Seas sailings to Alaska in 2016.
The deal is valid on 7-night round trip Explorer of the Seas Alaska sailings between May 20 – September 9, 2016.
The deal offers free cruise fare for third and fourth passengers in a triple or quad occupancy interior stateroom. If you book a balcony stateroom, third and fourth passengers will be eligble for a "cruise savings" instead.
In addition, all staterooms booked qualify for Buy One Guest, Get Second Guest 50% Off promotion.
If you book a qualifying cruise to get third or fourth passengers, all other charges, including, but not limited to, government taxes and fees, are not included and apply to all guests.
To qualify for this promotion, eligible sailings must be booked between July 3 and July 31, 2015.
Offer open to residents of the United States or Canada.
Royal Caribbean has added two new cruises to the end of Explorer of the Seas' season in Australia, keeping the ship down under for a little bit longer.
In April 2016, guests can choose from a 12-night New Zealand itinerary and a 24-night transpacific voyage from Sydney to Seattle.
Passengers who were booked on the repositioning cruise to Alaska have been offered, "a range of alternative itineraries to rebook" according to Cruise Critic.
The New Zealand cruise will make stops at Picton, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland.
The 24-night transpacific cruise will make stops at Nomea, Vanuatu's Mystery Island and Vila, Suva, Honolulu and Lahaina before ending in Seattle, Washington.
Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas is back in service after a dry dock refurbishment and she's sailing from Southampton, UK.
The refurbishment took place over six weeks in Cadiz, Spain.
The changes to Explorer of the Seas include:
Complete refit of the pool deck
Addition of Flowrider surf simulator
Addition of 24 new panoramic staterooms
Addition of 80 virtual balcony staterooms
New outdoor movie screen by the pool
Stateroom televisions have been upgraded to flat screen televisions
New restaurants
Chops Grille
Giovanni's Table
Izumi
Refit of the main dining room
Addition of R-Bar
Royal Caribbean’s UK and Ireland managing director Stuart Leven commented, “To all intents and purposes this is a brand spanking new ship operating in the UK market this summer."
Explorer of the Seas began cruising to the Canary islands this week and will make Southampton her home port until the fall, when she will reposition to Australia.
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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