Saturday, April 25, 2020

Day 96 Post cruise but the world is in turmoil due to Covid-19

41 days after disembarkation

Our life now has been isolation as our world is trying to stop the spread of this  Covid-19 World Pandemic. Restaurants, hotels, playgrounds, libraries, every part of our life which is not considered essential has been closed down. People have lost their jobs, and there has been a run on some grocery items, (toilet paper, tissues, hand sanitizers, flour, bread mixes, seedlings, egg-laying chickens). We have all been told to isolate and only essential travel.

All the cruise ships have had issues with entering some country borders. Some have had passengers and crews displaying flu-like symptoms which has complicated disembarkation of crew and passengers. Today most ships are heading to countries where most of the crew members live. when not working on the ships. Most crew seem to originate from the Philippines and cruise companies are sending their ships there to allow their return home. Today there are 9 cruise ships at anchor of Manila, waiting for permission to dock. 

A live picture from the bridge of the Sapphire Princess


View from Sapphire Princess. The Majestic  Princess on left, Voyager of Seas directly in front. In the distance behind the Voyager of Seas is Sun Princess. The fourth ship from left is the Sea Princess, the fifth from left on the horizon is Queen Elizabeth, then there are two ships on the right. The one visible is Pacific Dawn and the ship behind is Pacific Explorer. 

These ships have brought their Philippine National Crew members home and are awaiting clearance to disembark.
I am not sure how many on board have Covid-19.

The Ruby Princess left Australian waters on 23rd April. When it disembarked its 2,700 passengers in Sydney on the 19th March, 21 have since died and more than 600 confirmed positive with the virus. 190 crew members have tested positive and 1100 crew member have been in varying lengths of quarantine on board for weeks. The ship is presently sailing to Manila to allow some of its crew members to return home. 



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