Just off Yokohama and Hong Kong, two passenger liners are moored in quarantine, for a 14 day period.

Reports say that the c7,000 on board both vessels are confined to their cabins - and that food is being rationed.

So far, about 15 people have tested positive for the virus - with further testing in progress on both ships.


A virus in such confined and populated areas is highly dangerous.

Many feel that the cruise market in 2020 will be much reduced.

Symphony of the Seas - the world's biggest liner; out of Miami - can accommodate almost 9,000.

If they are moored up you'd think it was logical to cart them off to quarantine elsewhere. They could have caught it anywhere on board.

They are passing them food through and taking their empties. Are the people wearing protective gear?

A lot of it makes no sense.

Zombie apocalypse soon!

Makes a change from those projectile vomiting bugs you often seem to hear about on cruise ships! Even without bugs, can't see the appeal in cruises at all.

Casualties globally limited. I predict many more will die indirectly through Brexit. Unemployment will lead to increased suicide in men particularly, domestic abuse and homicide through increased use of legal and illegal drugs and desperation as business and employment goes to the wall...

But let us hope that such hysteria over Brexit is the manufactured one, rather than the reality/distraction- take your pick - of the latest pandemic threat to us all...

take it out to sea and sink the bloody thing. Have you seen the people who go on these cruises? pissed as rats by Mid-day.

Can you imagine if they are locked in their (inside ) cabins and their mini-bar has run dry?

Infection and death isn't funny.

The coranavirus is catching up quickly on SARS.

For numbers of deaths - only 50 to go!

Barney wrote:
A virus in such confined and populated areas is highly dangerous.

Many feel that the cruise market in 2020 will be much reduced.

Symphony of the Seas - the world's biggest liner; out of Miami - can accommodate almost 9,000.



Most of the c$50 billion cruise market is held by Carnival Corp and Royal Caribbean lines - around 90%.

And 25 million of us take cruises every year - aboard ships that have very high occupancy levels, with discounts improving as departures near.

Restaurants, clubs, theatres, cinemas, shops, bars, shows, sports facilities abound - and many ships have a High Street, the length of the ship.

Some vessels can cater for up to 9,000 souls - and people live in close proximity, often for weeks on end. Having boarded from all parts of the globe.


Because of recent virus related events, this market may not be as buoyant in the future - with the likely introduction of mandatory pre-cruise vaccinations, check ups etc.

Barney wrote:
Most of the c$50 billion cruise market is held by Carnival Corp and Royal Caribbean lines - around 90%

And 25 million of us take cruises every year - aboard ships that have very high occupancy levels


The share prices of Carnival and Caribbean have each dropped by 50%

Bookings are being cancelled at a starting rate - and international voyages may soon be banned

As numerous ports are refusing to allow passengers to disembark. Malta - one of the latest.