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Georgians Reevalute Cruise Vacation Plans As Coronavirus Outbreak Continues
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UPDATED MARCH 12: Viking Cruises released this statement suspending all cruise operations:
As of March 11, 2020, Viking is temporarily suspending operations of our river and ocean cruises, for embarkations taking place between March 12 to April 30, 2020. We believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve after this time and plan to resume operations on May 1, 2020, continuing all further sailings as originally planned.
NPR reported Thursday Princess Cruises, which has had several ships hit by coronavirus outbreaks, announced it will pause operations of its 18 cruise ships globally for 60 days. The move is in response "to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of COVID-19," the company said.
ORIGINAL STORY: Ryan Walters isn’t worried about taking a Disney cruise through the Caribbean Sea in May. He’s taking more of a wait-and-see approach to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic.
"I don’t necessarily have to make a final decision yet," Walters said. "I'm going to see what happens leading up to the cruise in May."
The state department previously issued a travel advisory and stated there was an "increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment."
Two Atlanta residents previously tested positive on a cruise ship docked off the coast of Japan several weeks ago. They were quarantined for several weeks before being allowed to return home earlier this month.
RELATED: Atlanta Couple Ready To Return To US After COVID-19 Diagnosis In Japan
Walters said he's hoping that the warmer weather ahead will slow down the spread of the virus and make conditions safer to travel. The cruise line reached out to him and other passengers about the risk of the virus.
"If the virus poses enough of a threat, the cruise line will either cancel or offer a refund if you decide not to go," he said.
Bert Funck of Kingston has a similar attitude about his Bahama cruise.
"As of now we're planning on it, but we will wait until next week to make a final decision," Funck said. "It's a 'if' on whether we end up going."
Right now, Funck doesn't expect to change his plans.
"I've heard of no problems in the islands we are going to," he said. "So unless something drastic starts to happen, I'm pretty sure we'll still be going."
Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday met with the CEOs of several prominent cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Carribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. He reiterated the government's support toward the cruise industry and Americans traveling abroad on cruises.
"American people value our cruise line industry, it brings great joy and great entertainment value for Americans,” Pence said. “We want to ensure Americans can continue to enjoy the opportunities of the cruise line industry."
During that meeting, the CEOs of the cruise lines jointly committed to better measures of screening and responding to coronavirus, including stricter quarantine measures, temperature screening checks, and plans to move sick passengers to health facilities on land.
That makes a difference to Richard and Lorraine Dannehold. The Acworth couple visited South America by cruise and returned last week. They were initially hoping the cruise would be canceled, but decided to take the risk on the 10-day vacation when they decided it was probably safe.
"They took the precautions serious. Washed hands, had hand sanitizer stations," they said. "Just being conscious of themselves and for others. They had a questionnaire about travels, if anyone has been from China or areas affected."
Travelers shouldn't rush to change vacation plans, National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday.
“If you are a healthy young person, there is no reason if you want to go on a cruise ship, go on a cruise ship," he said.
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