Kreindler Monitoring COVID-19 on Cruise Ships
April 28, 2020
Attorneys
Kreindler is monitoring the cruise industry’s response to passengers and crew members affected by the spread of coronavirus aboard ships during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have tried cases in federal court against several cruise lines, including Carnival.
Many issues are of concern: the cruise lines’ delayed responses to stop the spread of coronavirus on board, the way some COVID-19 illnesses were misdiagnosed, initially denying refunds to passengers as late as March 5th, and the rights and safety of crew members who risked exposure to the virus while continuing to perform their work.
While it is difficult to know how many passengers and crew have contracted the virus while on cruise ships, a Miami Herald story features a Google spreadsheet they created to track cases on board. The Google spreadsheet has multiple tabs that track by voyage, ship and company.
According to the Miami Herald article written by Taylor Dolven, Sarah Blaskey, Nicholas Nehamas and Alex Harris:
As of publication, reporters found that at least 2,592 people have tested positive for COVID-19 during or directly after a cruise, and at least 65 people have died, according to a database built by the Herald. That is far more than the industry or public health officials have acknowledged. It’s also likely not the complete picture.
Kreindler partners Daniel Rose and Anthony Tarricone have been following the COVID-19 pandemic closely and are available to answer questions.
If you know of a coronavirus case linked to a cruise ship, visit the Miami Herald to share the details.
Below are links to more articles detailing how the pandemic is affecting thousands of cruise ship travelers:
- Bloomberg article from April 16, 2020.
- NPR article from April 22, 2020.
- Washington Post article from April 25, 2020.