The cruise ship company that has a vessel quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, has offered a two month paid vacation to the crew aboard the ship for their relentless efforts to manage the coronavirus outbreak.
Carnival Cruise Lines, the company that operates the vessel Diamond Princess, which has been docked in Yokohama since Feb. 3, has extended its support and thanks to the 1,045 crew members onboard. The crew has been at the frontline for minimising the spread of the virus, and were thrust the thankless job of coordinating the tasks necessary to sustain the two-week quarantine.
“I agree that the crew is critical for our success, so we just let them know that they will be given two paid vacation months off following this ordeal,” company spokesman Roger Frizzell said, according to CNBC.
“This is new to everyone, including the Japanese government,” Frizzell wrote, “but I am starting to see some progress, especially late today, but we have a long way to go, I know.”
The company figures it will suffer as much as 65 cents per share as a result of the loss of income due to the suspension of all of its Asian Cruises through April, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
“As a result of Coronavirus, the company believes the impact on its global bookings and canceled voyages will have a material impact on its financial results which was not anticipated in the company’s previous 2020 earnings guidance,” Carnival said.
Japan’s health ministry also confirmed on Feb. 13 that another 44 people on board the cruise ship had tested positive for the virus, including one crew member, bringing the total number of infections to 218.
A statement issued by Princess Cruises last week said it would be refunding “the full cruise fare for all guests including air travel, hotel, ground transportation, pre-paid shore excursions, gratuities, and other items,” following the “extraordinary circumstances” onboard.
“In addition, guests will not be charged for any onboard incidental charges during the additional time onboard. Princess Cruises will also provide guests with a future cruise credit equal to the cruise fare paid for the voyage, which ended on February 4,” they said.
Epoch Times reporter Katabella Roberts contributed to this report.
