Major update on more than 100 Aussies stranded on Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas
Dozens of Aussies stranded on a cruise with thousands of other holidaymakers will finally arrive at their final destination two days later than scheduled after their ship broke down mid-journey.
Dozens of Aussies stranded on a cruise with thousands of other holidaymakers will finally arrive at their final destination two days later than scheduled after their ship broke down mid-journey.
Melbourne couple Steve and Karen Dermietzel are among 111 Aussies onboard Royal Caribbeans Spectrum of the Seas for a seven-night voyage of Japan.
But their holiday plans were thrown into chaos after the ship spent two days docked at Yokohama due to unplanned maintenance.
To make matters worse, the 4,500 passengers onboard were confined to the cruise ship while docked at the port and were unable disembark to explore the city or catch an early flight home.
Passengers also reportedly had their passports confiscated when they first boarded in the Chinese port of Shanghai last Saturday.
Its understood the cruise ship has since left Yokohama and is scheduled to return to its final destination Shanghai on Monday- two days after it was due to arrive.
The Dermietzels cant wait for the voyage to be over.
They wont allow us onto the Japanese land. Its weird because in the last 16 days, weve been on Japanese land on five different occasions, Steve told Seven News.
Steve and Karen Dermietzel were among 4,500 cruise ship passengers stranded on the Spectrum of the Seas
The Royal Caribbeans Spectrum of the Seas is expected to end its latest voyage on Monday
His wife added that lack of communication from crew and the cruise operator have added the nightmare, forcing Ms Dermietzel said she has also emailed the Australian embassy in Japan to ask for assistance.
They dont give us enough information though, and they blame Royal Caribbean saying its being handled by head office and therefore due to US time, theres a time-(lag) as well, Ms Dermietzel said.
The couple added that the companys compensation offer of $600 per passenger to re-book disrupted travel wasnt enough to cover costs, which they hope to recoup through insurance.
The people on the ship here are saying Royal Caribbean are dealing with it in their head office in the US, and, of course, with the time difference, its not fantastic, Ms Dermietzel told the Herald Sun.
Ive done about eight cruises before but this has been the worst. Ive never experienced anything like this.
Steve and Karen Dermietzel were confined to taking cruise ship selfies while docked at Yokohama
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson previously said the delay was caused by unplanned maintenance.
We conducted unplanned maintenance and adjusted our current itinerary and cancelled our next sailing, the spokesperson said.
We apologise to our guests for the inconvenience and are communicating with our guests directly.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment.
