ClickCease
Mariner Law Logo
Home
Services
Admiralty LawClients ServedMaritime InjuriesAccidents at Sea
Firm
Firm ValuesAlaskaConnecticutLouisianaOregonNew YorkWashington
Attorney BiosNews
Free Consultation Call

COVID-19 Illnesses Continue to Impact Cruise Ships

Coronavirus Concerns Continue to Impact Cruise Ships

In an all too familiar cycle, cruise ships are once again dealing with uncertainty in the face of coronavirus. As the world continues to develop and understanding of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, ports are again closing their doors to visiting cruisers and ship crew. Just this week, several Caribbean destinations denied scheduled ships from docking, including the nations of Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire. The Caribbean countries cited active shipboard coronavirus outbreaks as the reason for rejection. As a result of these last minute changes to the ships' itineraries, thousands of passengers will have less time at key destinations and more time aboard ships at sea ("sea days").

The situation reminds many of the illness outbreaks aboard cruise ships in March 2020, when ships were left without a place to safely debark passengers (sick or well). Cruise lines report that all is well with shipboard outbreaks being limited to 1-2% of passengers. The industry is touting its passenger restrictions and COVID safety protocols. However, cruise ship outbreaks continue to occur. M/V ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS recently reported 48 cases of coronavirus aboard during a voyage. M/V MSC SEASHORE similarly reported 28 cases, while M/V QUEEN MARY 2 identified 10 infected passengers.

The U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention is investigating the developing situation.

Cruise Ship Injury and Illness Attorney

These remain uncertain times for vessel passengers. While cruisers are anxious to start traveling again, vessel owners should not sacrifice safety of maritime workers and passengers in an effort to rush. If you or a family member suffered complications due to exposure to coronavirus aboard a cruise ship, maritime law may provide you options for monetary recovery. Cruise lines are required to provide a reasonable duty of care to passengers to keep them safe during voyages. Cruise ship crewmembers are often entitled to seaman status under the Jones Act and general maritime law. This may provide them a negligence and/or unseaworthiness cause of action for shipboard injury or illness. It's imperative to contact an experienced maritime lawyer as soon as possible to discuss what happened and your potential options.

Mariner Law, PLLC serves injured and ill cruise ship crewmembers and passengers nationwide. Licensed in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, New York, and Connecticut, the firm is proud to exclusively represent injured mariners and fight for their justice. Call (253) 600-2531 for a free consultation with a maritime injury lawyer.

Sources:

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/caribbean-ports-turning-away-cruise-ships-over-omicron-fears

https://gcaptain.com/odyssey-seas-covid-outbreak/

Schedule a Free Consultation

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Practice areas

Show All Practice Areas >

Maintenance and Cure

Unseaworthiness

Vessel Sinkings

The Limitation of Liability Act

Vessel Collisions, Allisions, and Other Accidents

Maritime Wrongful Death

The Jones Act

Seaman's Protection Act

Maritime Casualties

Tug and Barge Accidents

Boarding Accidents

Cargo Handling Accidents

Commercial Fishing Accidents

Charter Boat Accidents

Crane Accidents

Cruise Ship Accidents

Defective Equipment

Dinner Boat Accidents

Dredge Accidents

Dry Dock Accidents

Engine Room Accidents

Fire/Explosion Accidents

Ferry Accidents

Jet Ski Accidents

Jetboat Accidents

Marine Pilot Accidents

Mooring Line Accidents

Recreational Boating Accidents

Slip/Trip and Fall Accidents

Tour Boat Accidents

Toxic Exposure Accidents

Wind Farm Accidents

‍

Maritime Injuries

Amputated Fingers

Arm Injuries

Back Injuries

Blindness

Brain Injuries

Broken Bones

Burn Injuries

Cancer

Crush Injuries

Drowning

Electrical Shock

Foot Injuries

‍

Frostbite

Hand Injuries

Head Injuries

Hypothermia

Knee Injuries

Leg Injuries

Hearing Loss

Lost Limbs

Lung Disease / Mesothelioma

Neck Injuries

Shoulder Injuries

‍

Firm Clients

Able-bodied Seamen

Barger Workers / Tankermen

Commercial Fishermen

Cooks

Deckhands

Dock and Shipyard Workers

Engineers

Ferry Workers

Recreational Boaters

Ship Officers

Stewards

Tug Crew

Vessel Passengers

‍

LinkedInXTerms
©
Free Consultation Call
About Us Article headline