Caribbean cruise passengers forced to isolate themselves in rooms as Covid eruption sweeps ship – World News

Holidaymakers gave thousands for the 22-day cruise aboard the Cunard-owned cruise ship Queen Mary 2, but one said they felt “like lepers” because of the virus outbreak

British passengers on a luxury cruise between the Caribbean and New York have been forced to spend the trip isolated in their cabins after a Covid eruption.

Holidaymakers gave thousands for the 22-day trip aboard the Cunard-owned cruise ship Queen Mary 2, but one said they felt “like lepers”.

The voyage started from Southampton on December 13, but as they crossed the Atlantic on the first leg, it is reported that a number of passengers and crew members began testing positive before arriving in NYC.

Only negative passengers could land for the three-day stopover.

The ship is then believed to have been completely rejected from its next two planned destinations in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, and Basseterre in St. Maarten. Kitts due to the infections.

Have you been affected by the Queen Mary 2 outbreak? Tell us at webnews@mirror.co.uk.

By the time QM2 reached Barbados – where docking was allowed – most passengers were unable to disembark and were reportedly forced to spend days in their cabins without leaving, it is claimed.

The luxury vessel remained in port for three days and was missing three more stops at Roseau in Dominica, Philipsburg in the Netherlands Antilles and another stay in New York.

It is now on its way directly back to Southampton and is due to arrive this weekend.

The positive cases among the staff also meant that conditions quickly deteriorated and new crew had to be brought on board to return to the UK, it is reported.

Passengers were reportedly fed cold meals from paper plates instead of the luxury food they paid for.

Christine Martine, 66, of Angmering, West Sussex, and her husband Richard, 70, were both tested positive on Dec. 28.

They had paid almost £ 10,000 for the holiday and despite being very mild to no symptoms, they have used the trip confined to their room.

Christine told MailOnline: “It’s been pretty miserable. We have a balcony for fresh air, but nowhere to train.

“It’s hard to know exactly how many people have tested positive since they have not told us so, but friends who are still allowed to use the dining rooms tell us they are ghostly.

“The captain regularly talks about the tannoy to the passengers, but never refers to us – the positive passengers – not even a happy new year. We feel like lepers.”

She claimed that they are served “stone cold” food on paper plates.

The couple have tripled, saying that with the vaccinations “doing their intended job” and preventing them from getting seriously ill, it is frustrating to have to be confined for so long.

A statement from Cunard said: “Cunard / P & O Cruises has an approved framework of enhanced protocols in place to protect the health and well-being of guests, crew and the communities we visit and best manage against Covid-19.

“This framework includes a requirement that all guests, as well as all crews, must be fully vaccinated, as well as testing before boarding our ships, and testing on board as required by certain ports of call.

“Like the protocols for all international travel, if a guest tests positive for Covid-19 while on board, they and their close contacts will isolate themselves for the well-being of themselves and other guests.

“All guests in isolation can at any time request room service from the full dining room and menus in the cabin and receive support from the ship’s crew throughout.

“Our medical teams on board will then work with local port authorities / port health requirements to determine whether guests should remain on board during their isolation period or go ashore.

“In situations where guests are required to leave the ship, we will ensure the most appropriate accommodation to continue the isolation period.

“In most cases, these will be predetermined hotels that have been identified as those that are able to accommodate positive cases of Covid-19.

“All guests who are in these circumstances have ongoing and direct support from our dedicated support team.”