Royal Caribbean Group said Monday that 48 people on its Symphony of the Seas cruise ship tested positive for COVID-19, fueling concerns that the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus could slow the cruise industry’s recovery.
The cruise operator said it had 6,091 guests and crew members aboard the ship, which ended a weeklong cruise in Miami on Saturday after setting sail Dec. 11.
The passengers who tested positive were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, Royal Caribbean said in a statement, adding that six guests were disembarked early on the cruise and transported home.
Royal Caribbean said 95% of the community on board were fully vaccinated, while 98% of those who tested positive were also fully vaccinated.
Future Symphony itineraries will not be affected, it added.
