Royal Caribbean Drops Japan Ports on Select Shanghai Sailings

Royal Caribbean has begun notifying some guests booked on Spectrum of the Seas sailings from Shanghai that their itineraries have been changed to avoid calls in Japan, with adjustments affecting departures scheduled between May 2026 and April 2027.

The changes come amid ongoing political tensions between China and Japan, including a travel advisory from China’s Foreign Ministry urging travelers to avoid Japan. Depending on the sailing, the revised plans remove Japanese ports of call in favor of alternatives in South Korea and, on some longer cruises, reduce the overall length of the voyage.

What Royal Caribbean is changing on select Shanghai sailings

Spectrum of the Seas is scheduled to operate a series of Shanghai-based cruises that were originally marketed with stops in Japan. For impacted departures, Royal Caribbean has reworked routing to drop Japan calls and, in some cases, redesign longer itineraries into shorter options rather than simply swapping ports.

In notices sent to passengers, Royal Caribbean described the updates as part of its standard itinerary planning process. In one message shared by guests online, the cruise line told travelers it had “modified” an upcoming sailing and thanked guests for their understanding, adding that cruise itinerary planning requires flexibility.

Royal Caribbean has not indicated that every Japan-focused itinerary is being changed. Some sailings are still expected to operate with their originally scheduled Japan calls, while others are being adjusted weeks before departure. The shift also follows similar itinerary adjustments made in December 2025.

Japan ports being removed and South Korea alternatives added

Across multiple affected itineraries, guests have reported Japanese ports being removed that include:

• Okinawa
• Fukuoka
• Nagasaki
• Kagoshima
• Kumamoto

Replacement ports vary by departure date and route. Updated itineraries shared by booked guests show South Korea calls being added that include Busan, Jeju, Seoul, and Yeosu.

Guest reactions and what changes mean onboard

While cruise lines generally retain the ability to adjust itineraries for safety or operational reasons, the scope of the changes has prompted frustration among some travelers. Passengers have posted complaints online about losing long-anticipated Japan visits after booking sailings that were marketed around those stops, while others have voiced dissatisfaction over the revised port mix.

Royal Caribbean has said guest safety is paramount and has framed the reroutes as necessary under the circumstances, with the aim of providing comparable experiences at alternative destinations.

Refunds, credits, and rebooking options for impacted passengers

Royal Caribbean’s standard practice for removed ports includes refunding port fees and taxes tied to the canceled calls. For sailings where the changes are considered more significant, including itineraries shortened in duration, the cruise line has outlined additional options for affected guests.

• Fare adjustments for shortened cruises: For certain bookings, Royal Caribbean is offering prorated cruise fare changes when the overall voyage length is reduced.
• Onboard credit: Some impacted guests are being offered onboard credit as part of the compensation options communicated for their specific departure.
• Travel change-fee reimbursements: Notices to guests include reimbursement options for certain change fees related to flights, trains, or rental cars.
• Rebooking opportunities: Guests may be offered the chance to move to a different sailing closer to the original itinerary, where space is available.

Royal Caribbean is also canceling shore excursions purchased through the cruise line for ports that are no longer being visited, with automatic refunds for those tours. Guests are directed to review and book excursions for replacement ports through Royal Caribbean’s app or website.

Spectrum of the Seas capacity and Asia deployment

Spectrum of the Seas is a Quantum Ultra Class ship that can accommodate 4,246 guests at double occupancy, or up to 4,905 passengers when fully booked. The vessel is based in Asia year-round and sails seasonally from Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Incheon’s cruise schedule grows as demand shifts away from Japan calls

The rerouting of Northeast Asia itineraries is also showing up in port schedules in South Korea. The Incheon Port Authority said cruise ship arrivals at Incheon increased from 15 voyages in 2024 to 32 voyages in 2025, with 64 voyages already confirmed for the current year.

Incheon’s growth is being driven largely by voyages departing from Chinese ports. The Incheon Port Authority said 44 of the 64 voyages, or 68.8%, are from China, with departures primarily from Shanghai and Tianjin.

The authority has also linked last-minute rerouting to a surge of short-notice bookings during a period of heightened tensions. In early to mid-December of the previous year, it reported 40 emergency bookings for Chinese cruises, with an Incheon Port Authority official saying: “Cruise bookings are typically finalized a year in advance, but such urgent reservations likely reflect political reasons. It appears many cruises originally bound for Japan are changing their routes to Incheon Port.”

Incheon is also preparing for more overnight calls, which it defines as itineraries where passengers stay for at least one night locally. The Incheon Port Authority said overnight cruises are expected to rise to 12 calls this year, up from seven the year before, and its forward schedule includes overnight itineraries for Spectrum of the Seas and Adora Cruises’ Adora Mediterranea.

Separately, the Incheon Port Authority said the number of cruise lines designating Incheon as a home port increased from three the previous year to eight in the current year. Ships listed as scheduled to regularly visit Incheon include Tianjin Dongfang International Cruises’ Dream and Vision, as well as Adora Cruises’ Magic City.

Royal Caribbean’s revised Shanghai departures are expected to roll out across the May 2026 to April 2027 window as affected guests receive updated voyage plans and review new port schedules, shore excursion availability, and any compensation options tied to their specific sailing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Spectrum of the Seas cruises are being changed?

Royal Caribbean is notifying guests booked on select Spectrum of the Seas departures from Shanghai scheduled between May 2026 and April 2027. The cruise line has not indicated that every Japan-focused itinerary in that period is being adjusted.

Which Japan ports are being removed from affected itineraries?

Guests have reported Japan calls being removed that include Okinawa, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, and Kumamoto, depending on the sailing date and original route.

What compensation is available when a sailing is significantly changed or shortened?

Royal Caribbean typically refunds port fees and taxes tied to canceled calls. For certain sailings with major changes, including reduced cruise length, options described to guests include prorated cruise fare adjustments, onboard credit, reimbursement of certain travel change fees (such as flights or trains), and opportunities to rebook to a different sailing closer to the original itinerary where space is available.

Will Royal Caribbean refund shore excursions for canceled ports?

Yes. Shore excursions purchased through Royal Caribbean for ports that are no longer being visited are canceled and automatically refunded.

Why is Incheon Port seeing more cruise arrivals?

The Incheon Port Authority has attributed part of its recent growth to voyages departing from Chinese ports as demand shifts away from Japan calls, including last-minute rerouting. It reported arrivals rising from 15 voyages in 2024 to 32 in 2025, with 64 already confirmed for the current year, and said 68.8% of those voyages are from China, primarily departing from Shanghai and Tianjin.