Key Aspects:
- Multiple Japan itineraries for Spectrum of the Seas are being changed to avoid the nation.
In an effort to offer ever more enticing and immersive sailings, Royal Caribbean is refreshing multiple itineraries for Spectrum of the Seas during her upcoming season homeported from Shanghai.
Guests on various departures have received notifications of the changes, which vary by departure date for the Quantum-Ultra-class ship.
For example, the February 18, 2026 departure will no longer be visiting Okinawa, but instead will head to Jeju, South Korea. The ship’s departure for the sailing has also been moved 30 minutes earlier to 4 p.m., and likewise, the ship will return to Shanghai 30 minutes earlier at 6:30 a.m. at the end of the 4-night sailing.
Another significant change is to the ship’s February 27, 2026 departure, what was to have been a 5-night Japan cruise. Now, instead of two port visits to different destinations in Okinawa, Spectrum of the Seas will instead overnight in Seoul, South Korea.
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This will give guests the amazing opportunity to explore that destination in depth, with the ship in port from 7 a.m. on Day 3 and not departing until Day 4 at 5 p.m.
Other impacted cruises include the ship’s March 8 departure, which will now visit Jeju and Busan, as well as the February 1, February 14, March 8, and April 14 departures.
Undoubtedly, other itineraries, including visits to Japan, will be likewise impacted, with varying changes depending on available alternative ports and cruise length.
Why So Many Changes?
While Royal Caribbean is explaining these changes as “part of our ongoing itinerary planning process” and “a refreshed experience” it is likely the changes may be related to China’s recent warning to its citizens to avoid travel to Japan.
According to Channel News Asia, this warning is in response to escalating political tensions between the two nations regarding remarks about Taiwan, which remains disputed.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan solemnly remind Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan in the near future,” China’s embassy in Japan posted on Friday, December 5.
Because of this, any guests with cruises aboard Spectrum of the Seas to Japan should remain in close contact with Royal Caribbean in case of itinerary updates.
While it will be disappointing to miss such iconic ports of call in Japan, guests will still enjoy rich Asian culture and heritage at their alternative destinations, not to mention all the amazing features onboard Spectrum of the Seas.
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Royal Caribbean does acknowledge the disappointment as it notifies guests of the changes.
“While some will be happy about this change, we know others will not and we’re sorry for the inconvenience this may cause,” the notification emails read.
The 169,379-gross-ton ship can welcome 4,246 guests at double occupancy, or up to 4,905 guests when fully booked. She will be homeporting from Shanghai from January 28 through November 1, offering a range of sailings from 3-8 nights long.
Changes Not Unprecedented
It is not unusual for cruise lines to reroute dozens of itineraries when political tensions arise. These changes could be just temporary for a few itineraries, or may last for years if situations become violent or cannot be resolved.
For example, many cruise lines opted to shift itineraries away from Russia when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Similarly, many cruises have avoided the Red Sea for some time due to regional tensions and pirate activity that might threaten cruise ships and endanger guests and crew members.
In the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean has cancelled months of visits to its private destination in Labadee, Haiti due to the violent unrest in that nation.
