On March 8th, 2020, the cruise ship Anthem of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., was diverted to the Bahamas due to an outbreak of COVID-19 onboard. The 15-deck vessel had departed from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ on a 7-day Bahamas and Florida cruise when it was forced to divert its course due to a number of passengers and crew members coming down with flu-like symptoms.
The ship was carrying over 4,000 passengers and 1,200 crew members on its voyage. On March 9th, the captain of Anthem of the Seas announced that the vessel had been diverted to Freeport in the Bahamas for further medical assessment. It is reported that more than 100 passengers and crew members have tested positive for COVID-19 so far.
The ship is currently anchored offshore near Grand Bahama Island as authorities are trying to determine what measures need to be taken in order to ensure the safety of all those onboard. The Bahamas Ministry of Health has sent a team of medical personnel aboard the vessel in order to assess and treat any ill persons.
At this time, it is unclear what will happen next with this cruise ship or how long it will remain offshore in Freeport. However, it is certain that this incident serves as a reminder that even during times when travel restrictions are not in place, we must still remain vigilant about our health and well being while traveling abroad or domestically.
The diversion of Anthem of the Seas serves as an example on how quickly things can change during times like these when an outbreak occurs on board a vessel carrying thousands of people at once. The incident also serves as a reminder that despite increased safety measures being implemented by companies like Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., no one can guarantee 100% safety during any type of travel experience – especially during times like these when infectious diseases are rampant across the globe.
In conclusion, Anthem of the Seas was diverted to Freeport in the Bahamas due to an outbreak of COVID-19 onboard which resulted in numerous passengers and crew members testing positive for the virus. While authorities are still trying to determine what measures need to be taken next with regards to this particular incident, it serves as a reminder about remaining vigilant about our health and safety while traveling both domestically and abroad – especially during these uncertain times.