Stuck on cruise ships during pandemic, crews beg to go home

[cman]

This is unconscionable. 70,000+ crew members are still stuck at sea. Some of them have died out there.

Stuck on cruise ships during pandemic, crews beg to go home

MIAMI (AP) — Carolina Vásquez lost track of days and nights, unable to see the sunlight while stuck for two weeks in a windowless cruise ship cabin as a fever took hold of her body.

apnews.com

 

[geekette]

Oh my, I had no idea they were still stuck floating out there. Horrible.

 

[WVBaker]

As coronavirus cases and deaths have risen worldwide, the CDC and health officials in other countries have expanded the list of conditions that must be met before crews may disembark.

Cruise companies must take each crew member straight home via charter plane or private car without using rental vehicles or taxis. Complicating that mission, the CDC requires company executives to agree to criminal penalties if crew members fail to obey health authorities’ orders to steer clear of public transportation and restaurants on their way home.

“The criminal penalties gave us (and our lawyers) pause,” Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley wrote in a letter to crew members earlier this week, but he added that company executives ultimately agreed to sign.

 

[Bunk]

These cruise ships are clustered in various places around the world.
The photo below is from the Bahamas. The blue dots are cruise ships.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...ant-cruise-ships-huddling-together-out-at-sea

This is like a more serious version of the Terminal, the movie in which Tom Hanks can't leave the airport terminal.
You have ships that are flying under foreign flags. The countries near where they are clustered have to allow the crew to disembark, the countries of the crews' nationality have to be willing to let them come home, and someone has to pay for the cost of flying them home.
Imagine the logistics involved with getting 70,000 people off the boat and onto the shore, chartering the planes, flying them home and getting permission to enter their homes.

 

[Bunk]

And what will happen during hurricane season?

 

[SteveDavis]

Wow, I had no idea they are still stuck on the cruise. How terrible. Praying for the crew and all the passengers.

 

[b2bailey]

I knew there were ships at sea with 'some' crew on board. Can it really be 70,000 people? Wondering why the 14 day quarantine rule hasn't enabled some to return without restrictions.

 

[am1]

A cruise ship is not a good place for a 14 day quarantine. Possible to get infected when food is brought to you or outside walking around.
Looks like all but the essential workers will be out of work until at least the fall.

 

[pedro47]

There are three (3) NCL ships docked at the PIT in Portsmouth,Va.
On each ship there are approximately 170 crew members. Crew members cannot leave their ship, according to the Coast Guard. Food and supplies are loaded by longshoremen to the individual ships.

 

[bbodb1]

This may sound heartless but why are these ships not headed to the country whose flag they sail under and disembark there?

 

[cman]

This may sound heartless but why are these ships not headed to the country whose flag they sail under and disembark there?

Cause those countries "won't" let them disembark there.

 

[geekette]

This may sound heartless but why are these ships not headed to the country whose flag they sail under and disembark there?

It sounds like worldwide heartlessness for these folks. I feel awful for them. I do not understand why they cannot be taken off the ship and quarantined in some empty hotels. And, get them medical attention. I cannot imagine how it's going for ship medical crew. I would imagine families of all crew members must be sick with worry. It's making me sick to find out they are still out there. They are People.

 

[Cornell]

It sounds like worldwide heartlessness for these folks. I feel awful for them. I do not understand why they cannot be taken off the ship and quarantined in some empty hotels. And, get them medical attention. I cannot imagine how it's going for ship medical crew. I would imagine families of all crew members must be sick with worry. It's making me sick to find out they are still out there. They are People.

Great point. Many of the cities are putting homeless in hotels. SF is even providing booze and drugs !

 

[bbodb1]

It sounds like worldwide heartlessness for these folks. I feel awful for them. I do not understand why they cannot be taken off the ship and quarantined in some empty hotels. And, get them medical attention. I cannot imagine how it's going for ship medical crew. I would imagine families of all crew members must be sick with worry. It's making me sick to find out they are still out there. They are People.

I understand your position @geekette but that is the flip side of the coin when cruise lines choose to flag their ships in the countries where they do. Corporate decisions to avoid U.S. laws have repercussions and in this case, the crew members are paying the price. Since these are not U.S registered (and flagged) ships, this country does not have any legal responsibility to foreign ships or citizens.

Now are there humanitarian concerns here? Absolutely. But not at the potential risk to the health of our citizens. If it were up to me, I would NOT let these crew members off at any U.S. port UNLESS they were a U.S. citizen. It sounds like we have been keeping supplies flowing to these ships - which we should ensure a safe process for as well.

In the end, I hope one reform in the cruise industry sees more ships registered in the U.S. (or other major country) where these sorts of issues do not occur. There are also wage and labor laws these cruise lines avoid by registering in tax haven countries.

 

[Cornell]

At the expense of sounding like a complete dork, these conversations are so interesting to me. I see so many different points of view & learn a lot from so many of you .

 

[TravelTime]

I think the USA should allow these cruise ships to dock in the USA and let their crews fly home from the USA. The crew has been quarantined for more than 14 days and none have the virus. What is wrong with letting them dock and fly their crew home from the USA?

 

[geekette]

I understand your position @geekette but that is the flip side of the coin when cruise lines choose to flag their ships in the countries where they do. Corporate decisions to avoid U.S. laws have repercussions and in this case, the crew members are paying the price. Since these are not U.S registered (and flagged) ships, this country does not have any legal responsibility to foreign ships or citizens.

Now are there humanitarian concerns here? Absolutely. But not at the potential risk to the health of our citizens. If it were up to me, I would NOT let these crew members off at any U.S. port UNLESS they were a U.S. citizen. It sounds like we have been keeping supplies flowing to these ships - which we should ensure a safe process for as well.

In the end, I hope one reform in the cruise industry sees more ships registered in the U.S. (or other major country) where these sorts of issues do not occur. There are also wage and labor laws these cruise lines avoid by registering in tax haven countries.

I wasn't referring to the US, I know they aren't our ships, but to Every Country. It's not like there haven't been situations where coronavirus questionable people have been transported. Crews aren't carrying a special corona nobody has yet seen.

I guess I would be wishing that my country would be trying to get me home. Or that I had rich connected parents that could get me outa there. It's easier being home dealing with the unknown, but their case of Unknown is just much worse to deal with. I would at least hope that they have been able to separate from tight crew quarters and living in the guest hotel portion, quarantining as necessary.

 

[b2bailey]

I think the USA should allow these cruise ships to dock in the USA and let their crews fly home from the USA. The crew has been quarantined for more than 14 days and none have the virus. What is wrong with letting them dock and fly their crew home from the USA?

That was my point about 14 days -- if they have established that a ship has -0- cases. The rules for docking and transportation are so rigid as to make it nearly impossible. I believe all Amercan citizens have been allowed off.

 

[pedro47]

There are Three (3) NCL ships that are docked in Portsmouth, Virginia. How can NCL pay to fly these crew member homes and on what airlines would they use?
NCL right now is strapped for money according various newspaper articles.

Cruise ship crew members are not rich and have no political clout in their countries or in the United States. The closest embassy office for the crew ship members stuck in Portsmouth, Va. to contact probably would in Washington, DC. on Embassy row,

 

[WinniWoman]

They should be allowed to go home period. This is totally outrageous and another example of government control and over reach gone insane.

 

[geekette]

There are Three (3) NCL ships that are docked in Portsmouth, Virginia. How can NCL pay to fly these crew member homes and on what airlines would they use?
NCL right now is strapped for money according various newspaper articles.

Cruise ship crew members are not rich and have no political clout in their countries or in the United States. The closest embassy office for the crew ship members stuck in Portsmouth, Va. to contact probably would in Washington, DC. on Embassy row,

I don't care how NCL does it, these are their employees, they owe them a ride Home, because it was Work that got these poor souls stranded. If they wanted to, they could make it happen. I would think airlines would be lining up to get a plane in the air, if NCL will pay. I don't care about NCL's money problems, they did that to themselves, and probably should have stopped sailing before they did. Crew should not pay this hostage price for management's errors.

If my company stranded me somewhere, I would expect them to get me home. It doesn't matter that crew has no significant standing. Sure, I know my company would save the CEO first, but crew has no duty to go down with the ship, so to speak.

I know a couple dancers on a cruise ship, and I just hope Stas and Kascenia made it home.

 

[WVBaker]

CDC rules require company executives to guarantee that crew members be sent home entirely on charter flights and private transportation. Repatriated crew members must avoid public transportation and public airport terminals, then must stay in quarantine when they arrive home for 14 days. Executives have to sign a form attesting that if any of the rules are broken, they are subject to criminal penalties, including jail time.

Since cruise ships operate with large numbers of foreign nationals, cruise operators must deal with rules issued from their home countries.

The Cruise Line Industry Association indicated its members are doing their best to abide by CDC rules and to repatriate crews.

CDC Rules:

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Attestation-for-Non-Commercial-Travel-Pre-Approval-of-NSO-Response-Plan_042320_final_fillable-p.pdf

Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, told USA TODAY. "Money is literally no object. We are willing to charter flights home, wherever home may be." The problem, he said, is "we are dealing with a regulatory landscape that seems to change daily and forces us to adjust our plans just as frequently."

But the CDC is standing firm. Asked if there was any likelihood the rules might be relaxed, CDC spokesman Scott Pauley said "absolutely not." Pauley said the safety of the public demands it. "Our concern is we’re protecting the public health, and we’re doing best for the crew members and their safety.

'Like prisoners': Crews are still marooned aboard cruise ships mired in red tape

Strict rules, including punishment of executives, and complications of foreign governments are keeping cruise ship crew members aboard.

www.usatoday.com

So there you have it. Everyone involved wants the same thing however, they just can't seem to, or are willing to, figure out a reasonable and safe compromise.

Therefore, in the meantime...

 

[Quilter]

What a nightmare this would be. My heart aches for these people.

I didn’t know there were so many. Last I heard about cruise ships were a couple trying to connect and the Panama Canal. One had sick and dying on it.

At that time I thought if they could at least get the self-serve type treatment my doctor is suggesting for immune support and at the first sign of illness. It could easily be dropped to the ships. I know nothing is a cure or guaranteed but it has worked well for many and would give them a fighting chance. Less than $200 per person.

I’ve wondered what food they have on board.

 

[cman]

A lot of these stranded crew members are no longer getting paid. Sorry, but that just pisses me off.

 

[Cornell]

This whole scenario really turns my stomach