Passengers isolated over coronavirus fears as cruise ship docked near New York
Editor's note: This post has been updated with new information. It originally published Feb. 7.
One of the world's biggest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, arrived at a New York City-area port early Friday with about a dozen passengers in isolation over fears of the new coronavirus from China, according to New York's WABC-TV.
The news outlet said some of the passengers, all Chinese nationals, had displayed flu-like symptoms in recent days.
New Jersey officials later said 27 passengers on Anthem of the Seas were screened for coronavirus after the ship's arrival, and four were taken to a nearby hospital.
The 16-deck-high vessel, which is docked in Bayonne, New Jersey, had just returned from an 11-night voyage to the Caribbean that began on Jan. 27.
In a late morning statement, Royal Caribbean said none of the four passengers taken to the hospital showed any clinical signs or symptoms of coronavirus while they were onboard the ship. But, in what the line called "an abundance of caution," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now will test the four passengers for coronavirus.
"One had tested positive onboard for Influenza A," the line said in the statement. "Our records indicate the guests had not been in China since Jan. 26 — 14 days ago."
Related: Nearly 4,000 quarantined on cruise ship for 14 days after coronavirus confirmed
Local officials allowed the rest of the passengers on Anthem of the Seas to leave the vessel. The ship can hold up to 4,905 passengers and sails with a crew of 1,500.
In a tweet around 9 a.m., Bayonne mayor Jimmy Davis suggested health officials weren't overly concerned about the situation.
"I was advised [the CDC] considers this "Below Low Risk" situation," Davis said in the tweet. "All other passengers released [with] no action needed."
Anthem of the Seas had been scheduled to depart Friday afternoon on a new, eight-night voyage to Port Canaveral, Florida, and the Bahamas. But Royal Caribbean said the departure had been delayed until Saturday afternoon. The delay will give the CDC time to finish its testing on the four passengers who were taken to a nearby hospital.
"We have ... been cleared by authorities to depart on our next cruise as usual," the line said. "However, to reassure concerned guests, we will delay our departure until tomorrow, when we expect to receive conclusive test results from CDC."
Related: Is it safe to travel to Asia? Complete guide to traveling during the coronavirus outbreak
In a letter sent to passengers on the delayed sailing, Royal Caribbean said they would receive a prorated refund for the missed day in the form of an onboard credit. The letter said the vessel's itinerary would need to be adjusted due to the delayed departure.
Passengers who wish to cancel the cruise will face standard cancellation penalties, the line has said today in Twitter responses to concerned passengers. The line is emphasizing on Twitter that the ship will undergo "enhanced sanitation in the cruise terminal and on board, as part of our ongoing illness prevention efforts."
The ship's just-ended voyage took it to San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Martin; St. John's, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Basseterre, St. Kitts.
The coronavirus scare on Anthem of the Seas comes just days after the quarantine of a Princess Cruises ship in Japan due to a coronavirus outbreak. As of late Thursday, more than 60 people on the vessel, Diamond Princess, had tested positive for the illness.
Princess said late Thursday the quarantine of Diamond Princess would continue through Feb. 19, barring unforeseen developments. The ship initially was carrying 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew, but some have been removed for medical treatment.
We'll continue to update this developing story. For more TPG news, sign up for our daily newsletter.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees