Royal Caribbean postpones cruise after 8 crew members on board test positive for COVID-19

• 8 crew members aboard Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas tested positive for COVID-19.
• The ship's inaugural sail was delayed from July 3 to July 31 because of the COVID-19 cases.
• Royal Caribbean's CEO said all 1,400 crew members will be fully vaccinated by June 18.

Royal Caribbean International is delaying its first passenger cruise on the Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship after eight members of the crew tested positive for COVID-19, the agency's CEO said in a statement on Facebook.

The ship was supposed to set sail on July 3, but will now set sail on July 31.

"The eight crew members, six of whom are asymptomatic and two with mild symptoms, were quarantined and are being closely monitored by our medical team," Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley said. "To protect the remaining crew and prevent any further cases, we will have all crew quarantined for 14 days and continue with our routine testing."

Baley said that all 1,400 crew members aboard the Odyssey were vaccinated by June 4, and are expected to be considered fully vaccinated by June 18.

The announcement of the ship's delayed sail comes days after two passengers aboard a 95% vaccinated cruise ship tested positive for COVID-19.

The cases were on the Celebrity Millennium, which is operated by the Royal Caribbean Group.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.