SINGAPORE - A cruise ship due to arrive in Singapore has been diverted to Fremantle in Western Australia over coronavirus concerns.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth is no longer calling at Hong Kong on March 31 and Shanghai on April 4. Details of her revised itinerary will be announced as soon as possible,– Cunard
The Queen Mary 2, currently in the Malacca Straits, had calls scheduled in Port Klang Feb. 11 and Singapore Feb. 12.
The ship will now will travel straight to Australia, arriving at Fremantle Port on Feb. 18.
Cunard said while the risk to guests and crew was low, “the coronavirus situation is dynamic and evolving”.
The luxury cruise liner was originally expected to dock in Singapore, Saigon, Nha Trang and Hong Kong.
Queen Mary 2 will now depart Fremantle on Feb. 19 on an Australian itinerary, details of which are to follow, Cunard said.
Passengers who were due to board the vessel in Singapore will be able to join the voyage in Fremantle at the expense of the cruise operator.
Other passengers will have their cruise trip cancelled for free by Cunard.
A statement from the cruise operator said Queen Mary 2 would be disinfected and passengers and crew would be screened prior to boarding.
People who had been in contact with someone who may have had coronavirus, as well as those who have travelled via mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong would be prohibited from boarding.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth is no longer calling at Hong Kong on March 31 and Shanghai on April 4. Details of her revised itinerary will be announced as soon as possible, Cunard added.