Nearly 4,000 people quarantined on cruise ship for 14 days after coronavirus confirmed onboard
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information. It originally published on Feb. 4.
Princess Cruises late Tuesday said nine passengers and a crew member on one of its ships in Japan had tested positive for the new coronavirus from China, prompting local authorities to order a multiweek quarantine of the vessel.
The Santa Clarita, California-based line said more than 2,600 passengers and 1,044 crew on the Diamond Princess would remain quarantined on the ship for at least 14 days.
The 10 people who have tested positive for the virus are being taken off the ship, which is in the harbor of Yokohama, Japan -- the port for Tokyo. They'll be transferred to local hospitals.
Related: Complete guide to traveling during the deadly coronavirus outbreak
Diamond Princess initially was quarantined in Yokohama on Monday. The quarantine came after local authorities learned that a Hong Kong resident who sailed on the ship in late January had later tested positive for coronavirus. The authorities order health checks for all passengers and crew.
The Hong Kong resident who tested positive hadn't reported any symptoms of coronavirus while on Diamond Princess. He disembarked the vessel on Jan. 25. It wasn't until six days later that he presented himself at a hospital in Hong Kong with symptoms of the illness.
"Princess Cruises can confirm that the first phase of health screening of all guests and crew onboard Diamond Princess, by the Japanese Ministry of Health, has been completed," the line said in a statement to The Points Guy. "We were notified that, among the samples that have completed testing, 10 people have tested positive for coronavirus."
Early Wednesday, another cruise vessel arriving in a major Asian port was quarantined until passengers could undergo screening for coronavirus. The quarantine of the 3,376-passenger World Dream, in Hong Kong, was ordered after three passengers from a previous sailing tested positive for the virus. World Dream is operated by Dream Cruises, an Asia-based cruise company that caters to Asian travelers.
Princess said one of the passengers on Diamond Princess who tested positive for coronavirus is an American. The rest were from Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. The crew member who tested positive is from the Philippines.
The extended length of the Diamond Princess quarantine is required by Japan's Ministry of Health, the line said.
Related: Booked on a cruise to Asia? Here’s how the coronavirus outbreak might affect you
Princess said Diamond Princess would head out to sea to perform normal marine operations including, but not limited to, the production of fresh water and ballast operations, before returning to Yokohama and docking at the city's port. Food and other supplies needed for the extended quarantine of the vessel will be brought onboard.
Passengers have been confined to their cabins for the duration of the quarantine, and many shipboard services have been shut down. Food is being delivered to cabins at regular intervals. Passengers have access to complimentary internet and telephone service to stay in contact with their families and other loved ones.
"The ship’s company is working to keep all guests comfortable," the line added. "Princess Cruises will continue to fully cooperate with and follow the instructions of global medical authorities and the Japanese government."
A division of cruise giant Carnival Corp., Princess has been building its presence in Japan for several years. It operates cruises around Japan that cater to the Japanese market as well as Australians, Brits and North Americans.
Princess said about half of the passengers quarantined on the ship are from Japan. The rest come from a range of nations.
The next two cruises of the vessel, scheduled to depart today (Tuesday, Feb. 4) and next Wednesday (Feb. 12), have been canceled.
We’ll continue to update this developing story. For more TPG news, sign up for our daily newsletter.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.