[Coronavirus] Supercruiser 'Quantum of the Seas' anchors in Busan to receive supplies

By Lim Chang-won Posted : April 3, 2020, 15:14 Updated : April 3, 2020, 15:14

[Yonhap Photo]

SEOUL -- "Quantum of the Seas," a supercruise ship which has been on a destinationless voyage in international waters due to a novel coronavirus pandemic, was allowed to make a one-day stop in a terminal at South Korea's southern port of Busan to receive oil, food and daily necessities needed for 1,200 crew members.

The 168,666 gross ton (GT) cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International, a cruise line brand based in Miami, Florida, anchored in Busan at 7:00 a.m. on Friday (2200 GMT). There were no tourists aboard because a COVID-19 pandemic suspended services in Asia.

Through consultation with quarantine authorities, port operators approved the ship's entry on a non-face-to-face basis. Supplies were put down on the dock and carried by a forklift into the ship through a side door.

Beginning in November 2019, the cruise ship was to operate seasonally in Southeast Asia from Singapore for six months each year until 2024 and rotate between homeporting in Tianjin and Singapore year-round. However, in March 2020, Royal Caribbean announced the ship's re-deployment to Alaska for summer 2021, sailing from Seattle.
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