The two cruise lines are banning passengers and crew with Chinese passports from all of their cruise ships.

The Miami-based lines made the announcement on Friday (7 February) and come amid concerns over the growing coronavirus outbreak.

Royal Caribbean’s announcement came after four travellers who were on board the cruise line’s Anthem of the Seas ship were hospitalised in New Jersey after experiencing feverish symptoms.

The passengers had reportedly come from China for the cruise from the port of Bayonne, New Jersey, to the Bahamas, and were hospitalised as a precaution.

The new measure being operated by the two cruise lines will also apply to those with Hong Kong and Macau passports, regardless of residency.

In a statement, NCL said: “The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our number one priority. We have proactively implemented several preventative measures outlined below due to growing concerns regarding Coronavirus infections in China.

“We will continue to consult with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and take appropriate additional action as needed.”

Additionally, guests or crew members who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 30 days of their voyage embarkation, regardless of nationality, will not be allowed to board any of Royal Caribbean’s or NCL’s vessels.

Guests who are denied boarding on an NCL or Royal Caribbean ship due to these restrictions will be issued a refund when they provide proof of travel.

Prior to the port closure in Hong Kong, NCL implemented non-touch temperature screenings for all passengers embarking from this destination and any guest who registered a body temperature of 100.4°F or 38°C or higher, were not allowed to board.

Guests on these voyages were also subject to temperature screenings when returning from shore excursions at ports of call.

For all guests, NCL will continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation and any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations. Both NCL and Royal Caribbean have rigorous medical protocols in place to help passengers and crew members who are taken ill while sailing.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, both NCL and Royal Caribbean have had to make a number of itinerary changes. Royal Caribbean has cancelled eight China sailings through 4 March on Spectrum of the Seas, which is its only ship currently homeported in China. None of NCL’s vessels is currently calling to ports in mainland China.

In the case of NCL, all itineraries that call in mainland China for the next six months are currently under review and the line will communicate any itinerary revisions to guests if and when necessary.

On Princess Cruises ship Diamond Princess, 163 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed on board and the ship is currently under quarantine until 19 February.

Visit royalcaribbean.com and ncl.com for more information.