Aerial view of Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas (L), preparing to sail from Port Miami for the first U.S. trial cruise, which will test COVID-19 protocols, on June 20, 2021, in Miami, Florida.Royal Caribbean Cruises shares dropped 4% Friday, after six passengers aboard its Adventure of the Seas vessel tested positive for Covid-19.All four guests were fully vaccinated, and they weren't traveling together. The cases were found during routine testing.Royal Caribbean stated that three of the four fully-vaccinated passengers showed no symptoms while the fourth had mild symptoms. Two unvaccinated minors were traveling with the same party, and they are both asymptomatic.They were all immediately placed in quarantine and close friends were tested for HIV. Royal Caribbean reported that all six guests tested negative.The cruise operator stated that each guest, along with their immediate travel companions, will disembark in Freeport, The Bahamas, today and then separately travel home via private transport.The cruise left Saturday from Nassau, Bahamas. Guests were required to present proof of a negative positive PCR test. At check-in, minors who were not vaccinated were required to undergo another test. According to a spokesperson from the company, everyone had to have a negative test before they could board.The cruise line is expanding its testing procedures for cruises that depart from the U.S. for five nights or more because of the rapidly spreading delta coronavirus virus variant. In a Facebook post, CEO Michael Bayley stated that passengers will need to undergo a negative test prior to being allowed onboard ships. The tests can be completed within three days of embarkation, he said. The new policy will take effect from July 31 through August 31.Bayley stated that even though the majority of our passengers are highly vaccinated, we are still seeing covid positive cases in conjunction with guests who have been vaccinated. "The Delta variant is rapidly spreading with over 92,000 new infections yesterday in the USA alone. In Florida, one of the major markets in the industry, there were more than 17,000 cases yesterday."We know that this won't make everyone happy, but it will be comforting for many. Bayley stated that she is doing her best to ensure a safe, healthy, and enjoyable vacation for all of our guests and crew members as well as the communities where they visit during these difficult times.The stock closed at $76.87, down 3.9%. The company's market capitalization has risen to $19.57 billion, with shares up almost 3% since the beginning of the year.
