Besides the parks, the cruise line industry has taken a huge hit with the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with many spring break sailings cancelled or otherwise impacted. Now, news has surfaced regarding one of the cruise line’s last sailings before the COVID-19 shutdown, as 38 crew members have now tested positive for the virus.
According to Cruise Law News, 38 crew members aboard the Disney Wonder have tested positive for COVID-19. The remaining crew was informed of the new cases yesterday afternoon by the ship’s captain.
The Wonder left New Orleans on March 6 on what was supposed to be a 14-night Panama Canal Cruise, but had to skip a number of stops along the way due to shut-down ports. The ship finally pulled into San Diego on March 19, five days after the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) had asked all US cruise ships to suspend all cruises for 30 days.
When the ship arrived at San Diego, none of the 1,980 passengers or crew, except for one crew member who had influenza, showed COVID-19 symptoms. The crew member was hospitalized and is being tested for COVID-19 as a precaution.
One of the passengers also tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to a local hospital. He is a resident of San Diego. No other information regarding the passenger has been released. Passengers were told to self-quarantine for 14 days, however multiple passengers have reported testing positive during that time.
Cruise Law News reports that according to other crew members aboard the Wonder, five crew members have had to be sent to shore-side hospitals for medical treatment due to COVID-19. Other crew members remaining aboard have also required medical attention.
Disney Cruise Line has suspended all new departures through April 28, 2020.
I don’t care if the cruise line survives, they aren’t registered in the US, they hire mostly foreign crews and don’t really pay US taxes, thus they don’t deserve to be bailed out by US taxpayers.
I hope everyone is ok.