The MSC Meraviglia arrived in Port Canaveral early this morning with what one ship officer characterized as a massive number of people infected with COVID-19. According to this officer who wishes to remain anonymous and stay employed by MSC, as of last night were one hundred and sixty-nine (169) crew members and at least sixty guests (60) who tested positive as this cruise ship which ended its its seven day cruise to ports in Mexico.
At least one ambulance was waiting at the dock when the MSC cruise ship returned to port this morning.
The MSC Meraviglia is one of numerous cruise ships with a large number of crew members and guests positive with COVID-19. We reported yesterday that Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, which is returning to PortMiami today, has 163 crew members positive with COVID-19. The Explorer of the Seas, which arrives in San Juan today, had 110 infected ship employees, many of whom were transferred off the ship yesterday to the Vision of the Seas which Royal Caribbean is using as a floating quarantine hotel / hospital. The Harmony of the Seas recently transferred a similar number of infected crew members to the Vision of the Seas as well. The Vision of the Seas also returned to port in South Florida (Port Everglades) this morning.
Ten days ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned the U.S. public against taking a cruise (irrespective of their vaccination status) given the risk of the Omicron variant.
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Image Credit: Top – ambulance and paramedics at Port Canaveral – anonymous MSC officeer; MSC Meraviglia – Estormiz – CC0, wikipedia / commons.