10 Facts About the S’pore Cruise That Had a Confirmed Covid-19 Case On Board

You’re on a cruise to nowhere, seated with your partner on the balcony enjoying the gentle wind and the gorgeous view.

After all that’s happened to you in 2020, you really needed this. 

Then, just as peace and relaxation are about to set it, the captain makes an announcement at 2.45am in the morning.

“We’re turning back”.

Normally, this wouldn’t be something to panic about. But in 2020, this could only mean one thing.

And hours later, your fears are confirmed.

“Someone on board has Covid-19”.

It sounds like a nightmarish scenario, but this is exactly what happened on a Royal Caribbean cruise today (9 Dec).

Here are 10 facts about the incident.

It Was On Board a Cruise to Nowhere

The Covid-19 infection was detected on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas ship, during a cruise to nowhere.

Cruise ships have not been allowed to call here since 13 March, due to fears that these ships could form large Covid-19 clusters.

But as part of a pilot programme, the cruise began sailing this month on round-trips with no ports of call.

The Cruise is Carrying 1,680 Guests & 1,148 Crew Members

As part of the safety framework in place for cruises to nowhere, cruises can only operate at a maximum capacity of 50%.

Still, even at a reduced capacity, the Quantum of the Seas is carrying 1,680 guests and 1,148 crew members. 

After what happened on board the Diamond Princess, cruise operators have had to implement stringent safety measures in accordance with government guidelines.

700 passengers on the Diamond Princess, a ship that set sail from Yokohama (near Tokyo) in February, ended up getting infected, leading to 6 deaths.

Which is why…

The Trip Was Cut Short Immediately After The Passenger tested Positive

The cruise to nowhere was supposed to be a four-day journey, but had to be cut short due to the detected infection on board.

After the guest tested positive for Covid-19, the Quantum of the Seas informed Singaporean officials of the news and turned around on the third day of its journey.

At 2.45am on Wednesday, the captain announced on the ship that the cruise would be returning to Singapore.

Once they arrived, he informed guests that someone on board had tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Confirmed Covid-19 Case is an 83-Year-old Man

The confirmed Covid-19 case is an 83-year-old man who reported to the medical centre on the ship with diarrhoea.

He then underwent a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as part of the on-board protocols.

The man previously underwent a mandatory PCR test prior to boarding, but tested negative.

He was immediately isolated after testing positive.

All Close Contacts Have Tested Negative For Covid-19

The good news is that all the man’s close contacts have tested negative for Covid-19.

They were immediately identified and isolated after the man tested positive, and subsequently underwent a PCR test, which returned negative results for all.

Crew members who were in close contact with the confirmed Covid-19 case were also isolated and subsequently tested negative for the coronavirus.

The Authorities Have Prepared For This

In October, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) approved a “cruises to nowhere” programme where ships would set sail on round-trips with no ports of call.

Because of the high risk of clusters forming on board ships, STB reportedly hired a risk management company to create a safety framework for these cruises.

This includes the strict and frequent cleaning and sanitisation of ships, mandatory Covid-19 tests prior to boarding, and ensuring 100% fresh air throughout the ship, to name a few.

Guests must also wear masks and practise safe distancing at all times.

Cruises can only set sail once they are certified for compliance.

It’s these measures, along with emergency protocols, that will prevent the virus from spreading further.

The Likelihood of an Outbreak is Low

Speaking to CNA, Ms Annie Chang, STB’s director for cruise development, said that “the likelihood of an outbreak is assessed to be low given that all passengers and crew are tested”.

Moreover, the cruise has a short itinerary and no port of call, she said.

“With the appropriate … measures in place, such cruises are no less safe compared to other activities and settings that have since resumed”.

There Are Contingency Plans in Place For an Outbreak

There are also contingency plans in place in the event of an outbreak on board the ship, which includes returning to Singapore so passengers can disembark and receive medical support if necessary.

All leisure activities on board the ship will also cease immediately, and deep cleaning on board the ship will be carried out.

However, as Ms Chang reiterated, the likelihood of an outbreak is assessed to be low.

Some Passengers Won’t Be Able to Disembark Yet

The Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a health advisory to the cruise’s passengers, informing them that all the Covid-19 case’s contacts will be placed on quarantine or health surveillance.

Other passengers on the ship will be required to monitor their health for two weeks from the date of disembarkation and undergo a swab test at the end of the monitoring period.

Royal Caribbean will provide passengers with details of their swab appointments from a week after disembarkation.

Their tests will be paid for by MOH.

Only those who aren’t close contacts of the confirmed Covid-19 case will be allowed to disembark.

They will be tested and then sent home and asked to monitor their health for 14 days.

The other guests will only disembark after a review of contact tracing is completed, meaning they have to stay on the cruise in the meantime.

Royal Caribbean is Giving Guests Refunds 

Their trip was cut short, but the passengers might be able to get some money back.

Royal Caribbean said it’s providing “Covid-19 protection” to their guests, including 100% credit for a future cruise.

This is only in the event that a guest or any member of their travel party tests positive for Covid-19 in the three weeks prior to their booking.

The man who tested positive for Covid-19 and other people in his travelling party will get a full refund.

As for the other passengers, they will be refunded the value of one day of the cruise price, since the trip was cut short by a day.

Featured Image: Igor Grochev / Shutterstock.com