Princess Cruises delays return of ship that once housed largest COVID-19 outbreak outside of China

The return of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was home to the largest COVID-19 outbreak outside of China in February 2020, was delayed on Wednesday amid the ongoing pandemic.

Princess Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Corporation, has announced the cancellation of the Diamond Princess fall cruise to South America, as well as its trip to Antarctica which was scheduled for next spring. The ship will now return next year for cruises to Japan.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship was quarantined in the port of Yokohama, Japan, from February 7 to 23 last year. The outbreak has resulted in the infection of more than 700 of the 3,711 passengers and crew of the Diamond Princess and several deaths.

CARNIVAL CRUISE COVID EPIDEMIC: 27 PEOPLE ON BOARD THE SHIP POSITIVE TEST

A bus carrying passengers from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship leaves a port in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Passengers tested negative for COVID-19 began disembarking since Wednesday. (AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko)

Two cruises scheduled for December on another Princess Cruises ship, the Island Princess, have also been canceled. This ship will now return next spring with a series of Caribbean cruises.

“Following our successful restart in Alaska and the UK, we look forward to welcoming our guests back on board as we continue our return to cruise operations, safeguarding the health and safety of our guests and teammates. our top priority, ”said Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises. said Wednesday in a statement.

Carnival Corporation did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday on the reason for the delay in returns from the Diamond Princess and Island Princess.

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A 77-year-old passenger from the Carnival Vista cruise ship died earlier this month, but Carnival Corporation said the passenger “almost certainly did not contract COVID” on the ship.

Just before the ship called in Belize City, 26 of the ship’s crew and one passenger tested positive on more than 1,400 crew members and nearly 3,000 passengers.

“Unfortunately, no place on land or at sea is COVID-free at this time, but we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our guests, our crew and the communities we visit and have not hesitated. to act quickly and to move beyond existing public health guidelines, ”the cruise line said in a statement this week.

Daniella Genovese of Fox Business contributed to this report, as well as the Associated Press.