The sudden, rapid spread of COVID-19 caught much of the public off guard. Thousands of people who had planned trips overseas rushed to cancel. They then holed up in their homes to prevent getting stuck somewhere no one would want to be in the midst of a crisis. Except for travelers who were already stuck in that exact situation.
People who had embarked on a cruise before the outbreaks became heavily publicized saw hundreds of their neighbors test positive. One of the first ships to be quarantined was the Diamond Princess but others were soon to follow. Even after stories from aboard the ship went viral.
Let’s take a look at what it was like for passengers who had to spend weeks restricted to their cabin rooms in the middle of the ocean and at the mercy of a mysterious illness.
12 Neighbors Must Strain To Communicate
Cruise ship verandas were made with safety in mind, not communication. As a result, neighbors under quarantine must crane their necks around walls and lean over balconies just to see another human face. For solo travelers, the discomfort is worth it for a little bit of human interaction.
11 Room Service Becomes Mandatory
At least the room service doesn’t come at an extra cost when you’re quarantined. The quality of the food doesn’t suffer either. Organizations like the World Central Kitchen keep meals made with fresh ingredients incoming after stranded ships run out of supplies, according to Food And Wine.
10 The Outside World Has Its Way Of Keeping In Touch
The only way to reach ships prohibited from docking is to travel out on a boat of your own. When the Diamond Princess was quarantined, reporters did just that while carrying the signs seen above. According to Hometown Station, the signs ask passengers to contact them for an interview.
9 It's No Time For Luxury Services
Non-essential services may shut down during the chaos. It isn’t like any cruise has getting quarantined on the itinerary. Passengers must bear with staff as they figure out how to deal with the complicated situation. Sometimes that means hand-washing and drying your own laundry.
8 Passengers Who Said They Felt Like Prisoners Weren't Exaggerating
As nice as living on a floating resort seems, being trapped on one doesn’t carry the same vibe. A luxury vacation that requires guests to communicate with average citizens through metal bars isn’t what anyone wants. The situation for passengers that actually test positive is even grimmer.
7 They Keep Active To Keep Their Hopes Up
Sitting around in a tiny cabin for hours on end would make anyone ache for some movement. Passengers make the most of the limited floor space that they’re given by improvising exercise routines. It’s possible that some passengers may leave the crew ship in better shape than when they boarded.
6 Stockpiles Aren't Exclusive To Citizens On Land
The PBS NewsHour twitter account mentioned a couple that saved food from each meal during the quarantine in case the situation worsened. People hoarding groceries on land share the same fear, but everything is much more real for these passengers that are already in the thick of coronavirus chaos.
5 Time For A Quick Breath Before It's Back To Their Cells
A passenger on a quarantined ship said that she was allowed to escape to the deck for one hour each day to get some fresh air and conversation. Beyond this glorious hour, the only access to the outside that passengers had was the veranda if their cabins included one.
4 Everyone Is In This Together
Not all civility has been lost to the disarray that has followed the spread of coronavirus. Several crew members working on ships in quarantine have posted images of the thank you notes that passengers have left them. The messages show appreciation for their hard work in such an unforeseeable situation.
Related: 20 Things Employees Have Said About Working On A Cruise Ship
3 Unprepared Guests Receive Activities While Others Think Ahead
The awful circumstances of quarantine were lightened for this passenger that had brought her sewing machine with her. She was able to spend her weeks quilting. Guests who didn’t pack for the worst-case scenario were supplied with activities like origami paper and card games, according to the Daily Herald.
2 Overworked Doctors Require Passengers To Be Proactive
PBS states that during the Diamond Princess’s quarantine, the Japanese health ministry supplied the entire ship population with thermometers so that they could take their own temperature. The limited force of doctors would otherwise have to evaluate thousands of people each day when they could be treating the ill instead.
Related: 12 Surprising (But Common) Reasons Travelers Get Sick Can Be Avoided
1 Crew Are The Only Ones In The Hallways
It’s odd to see the crew outnumber the passengers in the hallways of a cruise ship. Yet that’s the case when a ship enters quarantine. All goes quiet outside of the rooms except for the shuffling of the janitorial staff and doctors as they walk through the halls.
Next: 12 Things We Won’t See Again On Cruises By The Year 2030