The current coronavirus outbreak has the cruise industry on high alert. Most recently, an MSC cruise ship was turned away at two separate ports due to concerns that someone on the ship could potentially be sick with the virus.
On Tuesday, the MSC Meraviglia was turned away by Jamaican authorities. The Meraviglia had been docked for many hours before the decision was made to not allow passengers to disembark from the ship. Shortly thereafter, Grand Cayman authorities similarly denied disembarkation in Georgetown.
The cruise industry has already experienced disruptions in the Asian market, but with the virus now popping up in new areas, such as Italy, officials are not taking any chances. Concerns have been expressed as to what will happen if the virus spreads to the Caribbean market, the core of the cruise ship industry.
The coronavirus outbreak has stocks for many of the major cruise corporations plummeting. It is said that Carnival’s current stock shares are at the lowest levels seen since October 2013. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have also seen their stock prices fall in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Meragivlia’s next scheduled port of call is Cozumel, Mexico. No word has been issued as to whether passengers will be allowed to disembark at that port. MSC cruises insists that no evidence of the coronavirus has been reported on the ship. They ensured health authorities in Mexico that the virus has not been reported on this ship and have requested that Mexican authorities make the determination as to whether passengers will be allowed off the ship on facts and not speculation. According to MSC, the only illness reported was a case of seasonal flu experienced by a crew member.
The Meraviglia is the second cruise ship trapped at sea due to the coronavirus, the first incident being the Diamond Princess, which was kept in quarantine outside a Japanese port for two weeks after passengers reported experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus.
INJURED ON A CRUISE SHIP OR CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION? SPEAK TO A CRUISE SHIP INJURY ATTORNEY TODAY: 1-866-597-4529.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a personal injury firm located in Miami, Florida since 1991. We have fought hard to hold cruise lines accountable when they put their profits ahead of passenger safety. We are available 24/7 and encourage you to contact us even if you are still on your cruise. The sooner we can begin our investigation and preservation of key evidence, such as the CCTV footage of your trip and fall, slip and fall, assault or other type of injury the more likely we will be able to understand and prove how the incident occurred. Remember, the cruise lines have the most aggressive and well-funded defense lawyers in the world- protecting their profits. You need an experienced legal advocate in your corner who will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical expenses, transportation reimbursement and pain and suffering. Call us today and speak with a cruise ship claims lawyer about your potential claim- toll free 1-866-597-4529, 305-441-0440, or by email. We are ready to help.
