Royal Caribbean says virus not reason for Anthem return

Royal
Caribbean International said an occurrence of norovirus on the Anthem of the
Seas is not the reason for the ship’s early return to Cape Liberty in New Jersey.

The ship
is returning two days early from its current cruise and is expected to dock
March 2 rather than its scheduled return of March 4.

On Feb.
27, Royal Caribbean said it would cut the cruise short and return to port citing a storm
threat. “We’ve been watching a large storm off the coast of Cape Hatteras,” the
company said. “We want to be extra cautious when it comes to weather in the
area.”

The
decision follows Anthem’s encounter with a stronger-than-expected storm off the
Carolina coast on Feb. 7 that left four passengers with injuries and damaged
cabins and public areas. Royal called off the balance of that cruise, citing
the potential for further bad weather, and returned to Cape Liberty.

In a tweet
this morning, Royal acknowledged that some passengers are showing norovirus
symptoms. It said about 10 passengers per day have fallen ill on the cruise
which left New Jersey on Feb. 21. “Didn’t affect decision to return,” the tweet
said.

Royal said
about 6,000 people are aboard the ship.