1,100 crew members still stuck on cruise ship weeks after docking in Charleston
A cruise ship docked in the Charleston harbor is going to stay there until at least May 11, according to the South Carolina Ports Authority. But it’s unclear what is happening with the 1,100 crew members still on board.
The Sunshine docked in Charleston on March 16 and allowed more than 2,400 passengers to disembark. Several cruise ships have had outbreaks of the coronavirus on board, but Carnival said none of the passengers or crew on the Sunshine have shown symptoms.
The company said Monday it is stopping all North American operations until May 11 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread.
“This decision also has implications for the thousands of our crew members who remain on our ships, and just like they have always taken care of our guests, we are working diligently to continue to take care of them and get them home where possible,” the company said.
Carnival will continue to take the Sunshine crew members’ temperatures every day and encourage social distancing, the Ports Authority said. The crew will remain on the ship “except in the event of a medical emergency, which would be coordinated with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and local authorities.”
According to the Ports Authority, “Over the coming weeks, should Carnival disembark crew members so they can return home, that will be done in coordination with authorities and with the cruise line providing transportation from the ship directly to a designated airport.”
Earlier this month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned against any travel on cruise ships.
“Recent reports of COVID-19 on cruises highlight the risk of infections to cruise passengers and crew. Like many other viruses, COVID-19 appears to spread more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships and boats,” the CDC said in its March 17 travel warning.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 9:28 AM with the headline "1,100 crew members still stuck on cruise ship weeks after docking in Charleston."
