Royal Caribbean Cruises has lifted its ban on passport holders from China, Hong Kong China, and Macau less than a week after implementing it.
The Richard Fain-led cruise major and Frank Del Rio-led Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on Friday banned the Chinese nationals from their ships, fearing further spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Norwegian made an exception for US alien residents with an alien resident card traveling on itineraries that sail from a US port and end in a US port.
Arnold Donald-led Carnival Corp has allowed Chinese passport holders aboard but all three owners forbid passengers to China in the past two weeks and suspended all voyages to the three regions.
"The general restriction was adopted last week in response to numerous ports and governments around the world restricting travel for Chinese passport holders, often with little advance notice," Royal Caribbean said in a statement.
"Now that these governmental restrictions have been clarified, we are able to clarify our own policies."
The New York-listed company said its 15-day restriction on people who have traveled from, to or through China, Hong Kong and Macau remains in effect.
It also restricts those who have been in close contact with people who have traveled to, from or through these areas in the past 15 days.
"We encourage holders of China, Hong Kong, China, and Macau, China, passports to be aware of the potential for a disrupted vacation", the company said.
