Royal Caribbean International has cancelled a sailing of Spectrum of the Seas departing from Shanghai on 11th July 2026, after authorities closed Wusongkou Cruise Port in response to Super Typhoon Bavi bearing down on China’s eastern coastline. Guests booked on the affected voyage will receive full refunds plus compensation and reimbursement for certain travel expenses.
The cancellation followed the decision by local authorities to close Shanghai’s Wusongkou Cruise Port through the scheduled embarkation day as Typhoon Bavi approached the region with dangerous winds and severe weather conditions. Royal Caribbean said it had been working closely with meteorological experts, local port authorities, and government agencies to monitor the storm and evaluate operations at the Port of Shanghai.
Forecasts predicted high winds and severe weather across Shanghai and the surrounding area, making it impossible for the 169,379-gross-ton vessel to safely begin its scheduled voyage. The cruise line emphasised passenger and crew safety as the paramount concern in making the difficult decision to cancel the sailing.
Four-Night South Korea Itinerary Scrapped
Spectrum of the Seas had been scheduled to depart Shanghai on 11th July 2026, for a four-night roundtrip cruise to South Korea. The itinerary included a single port call in Incheon, the gateway to Seoul, before the ship was due to return to Shanghai on 15th July.
The vessel, which entered service in April 2019 as the first Quantum Ultra-class ship purpose-built for the Chinese market, accommodates up to 4,246 guests at double occupancy. Spectrum of the Seas has become a fixture in the China cruise market, offering primarily short cruises from Shanghai to destinations including Japan and South Korea.
The ship features innovations specifically designed for Chinese travellers, including karaoke rooms, hotpot dining venues, and mahjong tables. At 169,379 gross tonnes, Spectrum of the Seas ranks among the largest cruise ships homeported in Asia and has been instrumental in Royal Caribbean’s strategy to capture the growing Chinese cruise market.
Comprehensive Refund And Compensation Package Offered
Passengers booked on the cancelled sailing will receive a full refund of all payments made towards the voyage, Royal Caribbean confirmed. Guests who used a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to pay for part or all of their reservation will receive a refund of any additional cash payments, whilst the original FCC will be reissued for future use.
Beyond the standard refund, the cruise line is issuing new Future Cruise Credits to passengers who paid the cruise fare. These credits may be used towards any Royal Caribbean sailing booked by 11th July 2027, providing affected guests with flexibility to rebook at their convenience. The credits are expected to be distributed electronically within four weeks of the cancellation.
Credit Amounts Vary By Cabin Category
The value of the Future Crui
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