In a significant development, over 100 Australian passengers aboard a cruise ship that faced disruptions due to a mechanical failure in Japan are now resuming their journeys, after a period of uncertainty.
The Spectrum of the Seas, a popular Royal Caribbean vessel, was scheduled to make its return to Shanghai on Saturday, following an itinerary that included stops at several magnificent ports in Japan.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Cruise ship breaks down in Japan
However, due to what Royal Caribbean described as “unplanned maintenance,” the ship was forced to remain moored in Yokohama for several days longer than anticipated, leading to a re-evaluation of travel schedules for all on board.
Initially planned to depart for Shanghai on Wednesday and arrive by Saturday, the timeline shifted significantly as the ship was delayed.
As a result, more than 4,000 passengers, including 111 Australians, learned they would have to wait until Monday for their return flight home.
In a recent update, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au that the ship has finally departed from Yokohama and is on track to arrive in Shanghai as promised.
Australian travelers Steve and Karen Dermietzel shared their frustration regarding the situation, mentioning that their passports were retained by the crew, preventing them from disembarking during their extended stay.
“They won’t allow us onto the Japanese land. It’s strange because in the last 16 days, we’ve been on Japanese soil on five different occasions,” Steve said, illustrating the mixed messaging experienced by passengers.
The Dermietzels also expressed their annoyance over the cruise company’s lack of communication during the extended delay, stating they felt left in the dark about critical updates regarding their travel plans.
“They don’t provide us with enough information, and now they blame Royal Caribbean, saying this issue is being managed by head office, which is in the US and leads to delays due to time zone differences,” Karen articulated, reflecting the passengers’ growing frustration with the cruise line.
To compensate affected passengers, the company has offered $600 per person to assist with rebooking disrupted travel, which the Dermietzels indicated was insufficient to cover their additional costs, although they noted that their insurance would provide some relief.
The cruise, which embarked from Shanghai last weekend, included stops at notable ports such as Kobe, Osaka, and Yokohama, providing travelers with a glimpse of Japan’s rich culture and beautiful scenery.
A representative from Royal Caribbean has publicly expressed regret over the disruptions caused to passengers’ experiences, stating, “We apologize to our guests for the inconvenience and are communicating with our guests directly to address their concerns.”
In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has acknowledged the situation, confirming their awareness of the Australian nationals aboard the vessel impacted by the unscheduled repairs.
### Interview with Steve and Karen Dermietzel: Australian Passengers Aboard the Spectrum of the Seas
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Steve and Karen. I understand you recently experienced some unexpected challenges aboard the Spectrum of the Seas while cruising in Japan. Can you describe what happened?
**Steve Dermietzel**: Thank you for having us. Yes, it was quite an experience. Initially, we were enjoying our cruise with beautiful stops in Japan, but then we faced a major disruption due to mechanical failure. We were supposed to head back to Shanghai, but the ship had to remain moored in Yokohama longer than expected for “unplanned maintenance.”
**Interviewer**: That sounds frustrating. How did the delay affect your travel plans?
**Karen Dermietzel**: It really turned our plans upside down. Instead of returning to Shanghai on Wednesday, we had to wait until Monday for our flights home. Over 4,000 passengers were affected, and we were left not knowing what would happen next for several days.
**Interviewer**: We’ve heard that passengers had their passports retained by the crew. Could you share more about that?
**Steve Dermietzel**: Yes, that was particularly strange for us. The crew retained our passports, which meant we couldn’t disembark in Japan during the extended stay. We had been on Japanese soil multiple times over the course of our cruise, yet suddenly we weren’t allowed to step off the ship. It felt very mixed-up and confusing.
**Interviewer**: I can imagine. How did you handle the uncertainty while on board?
**Karen Dermietzel**: We tried to stay positive, but it was tough. We spent a lot of time just waiting and hoping for updates from the crew. Fortunately, they did keep us informed eventually, and we were relieved to hear that the ship finally departed and is on its way to Shanghai.
**Interviewer**: Now that you’re back on track, what are your plans for the future?
**Steve Dermietzel**: We’re just focused on getting home and recovering from this experience. We’d love to travel again, but I think we’ll be more cautious about cruise itineraries moving forward, especially with potential delays.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for sharing your story, Steve and Karen. We hope your journey back home goes smoothly!
**Karen Dermietzel**: Thank you. We appreciate it!