Royal Caribbean has ended its temporary general restriction on passport holders from China, Hong Kong and Macau to board its cruise ships.

The cruise line introduced the ban last week “in response to numerous ports and governments around the world restricting travel for Chinese passport holders, often with little advance notice”.

All individuals who have travelled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are still banned from boarding the cruise line’s ships, as are individuals who have been in close contact with persons who have traveled from, through or to China, Hong Kong and Macau in the past 15 days.

A statement from Royal Caribbean Cruises said: “Royal Caribbean has ended its temporary general restriction on holders of passports from China, Hong Kong and Macau.

“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.

“Now that these governmental restrictions have been clarified, we are able to clarify our own policies. Our 15-day restriction on all individuals who have traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau remains in effect, and so do restrictions on individuals who have been in close contact with persons who have traveled from, through or to China, Hong Kong and Macau in the past 15 days.

“We encourage holders of China, Hong Kong and Macau passports to be aware of the potential for a disrupted vacation, and to contact us with any questions.”

Royal Caribbean has said that it will continue to monitor global developments regarding the coronavirus, as well as follow its strict health screening protocols.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, Royal Caribbean has cancelled eight China sailings through 4 March on Spectrum of the Seas, which is its only ship currently homeported in China.

Many countries are refusing entry to those who have travelled from, to or through China in the past 14 days, and often require Chinese guests to submit to additional health screenings and document review.