Amid rapidly rising tensions between China and Japan, Royal Caribbean has notified guests of Spectrum of the Seas itinerary changes that remove Japanese ports of call and replace them with alternative destinations.
The communication was shared on Facebook by Cruise the World, which provided screenshots of emails outlining the updates for upcoming Spectrum of the Seas itineraries.
Communication from the cruise line states that Spectrum of the Seas will no longer call on Japanese ports during several Shanghai-based sailings in early 2026. Instead, Royal Caribbean will replace stops in Okinawa, Ishigaki, and other Japanese cruise destinations with ports in South Korea.
Royal Caribbean framed the change as part of its “ongoing itinerary planning process” and emphasized the need for flexibility. While the cruise line did not specifically mention the intensifying diplomatic tensions between China and Japan as the reason, the timing aligns with worsening relations between the two countries.
In the email sent to guests, Royal Caribbean said:
“As part of our ongoing itinerary planning process, we’ve modified our upcoming sailing. We’re excited to bring you this refreshed experience and appreciate your understanding, as itinerary planning is an ongoing process that requires cruises to have a certain level of flexibility, modifications can occur at any time.
We’re continually exploring new opportunities to provide guests with more destination choices and experiences around the world. These itinerary changes reflect our mission to expand offerings for our guests.”
The cruise line noted that guests can expect refreshed experiences with Spectrum of the Seas’ itinerary changes. For example, the Quantum Ultra class vessel will now visit Jeju Island in South Korea on the February 18 sailing and a full overnight in Seoul (Incheon) on the February 27 voyage.
Departure times from Shanghai have also been moved earlier, and Royal Caribbean is automatically refunding all pre-purchased shore excursions for the canceled ports.
A shift away from Japan at a tense moment in Asia
Spectrum of the Seas’ itinerary changes come at a moment of rapidly worsening relations between China and Japan.
In a BBC report published this week, Japan lodged a formal protest after Chinese J-15 fighter jets locked targeting radar onto Japanese aircraft near Okinawa, an act widely viewed as a threat because it can signal a potential attack.
Japan scrambled its own jets in response, while Beijing accused Tokyo of “harassing” its forces during what it described as a routine training exercise.
The confrontation follows comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested Tokyo could take military action if China were to attack Taiwan. Since then, both governments have exchanged increasingly hostile rhetoric, and incidents at sea and in the air have multiplied.
Japan also scrambled aircraft earlier this month when a suspected Chinese drone appeared near Taiwan’s waters, and the two nations’ coast guards recently clashed over disputed East China Sea islands.
These developments have started to affect daily life and travel, including Spectrum of the Seas’ itineraries. According to the BBC, China has asked its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan and has suspended imports of Japanese seafood as well as screenings of major Japanese films.
The broader implications of the 2026 Spectrum of the Seas itinerary changes
Royal Caribbean did not reference geopolitics in its communication to guests, but the shift away from Japan, and toward South Korea, aligns closely with current conditions.
Spectrum of the Seas typically operates Japan-heavy short cruises out of Shanghai. CruiseMapper’s published schedule for February through April 2026 shows that nearly every itinerary originally included Japanese ports like Okinawa, Ishigaki, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima.
This redirection also mirrors the broader travel collapse unfolding between China and Japan. Travel and Tour World reports that diplomatic tensions have triggered over half a million canceled Japan-bound tickets, major cuts on China–Japan air routes, and a steep decline in Chinese tourism to cities such as Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Sapporo.
Royal Caribbean has not yet confirmed how many itineraries will be affected, though it would not be surprising if additional Spectrum of the Seas itinerary changes are announced in the coming months.
About Spectrum of the Seas
Launched in 2019, Spectrum of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s first Quantum Ultra Class ship. The 169,000 gross-ton vessel was purpose-built for the Asian market.
Spectrum of the Seas can accomodate more than 4,200 guests and features attractions such as the North Star observation capsule, the aft-facing Two70 theater, and the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator.
Based primarily in Shanghai and Hong Kong, Spectrum of the Seas typically operates short regional itineraries tailored to travelers from mainland China. She sails exclusively in Asia for Royal Caribbean.
