By Minyvonne
Burke
Norwegian Cruise Line this week canceled one of its Caribbean voyages midway due to COVID-19,
leaving travelers stranded at sea
until the ship decides to return to New York.
The "Norwegian Gem" had a 10-day journey ahead of it, but was suspended and left docked in the port of Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin.
The "Norwegian Gem", one of the most important ships of the Norwegian Cruise Line companyIngo Wagner / DPA via AP file
"As we continue to navigate this public health situation while focusing on providing a safe experience for all on board, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Norwegian Gem's current Caribbean sailing due to circumstances related to the COVID-19,” a company spokesperson explained.
The company has not revealed the exact reason that led to this decision
.
The spokesman said the ship will return to New York "shortly," but did not offer a specific date.
[A young man dies after falling into the sea from a cruise ship returning to Miami]
Aimee Focaraccio told USA Today that she boarded the boat on Sunday with the intention of celebrating her birthday during the voyage.
But what was supposed to be an unforgettable day has turned into
a "nightmare"
.
"I really can't imagine four more days at sea in a row without much to do," he acknowledged.
The situation they are going through is "extremely disturbing."
"Tomorrow will really be the only nice day to enjoy the outdoors and after that, we'll be stuck indoors. Limited shows, few people and nothing to do. I'm angry," she said.
Cruise arrives in San Diego with infected passengers whose entry was denied in Mexico by COVID-19
Dec. 27, 202100:16
Anthony Bivona, another traveler, said last-minute changes to the route were expected due to the pandemic.
"We all knew, when we booked in such difficult times due to COVID-19, that there
would most likely be changes to our itinerary
," he admitted.
"It wasn't the exact itinerary we booked, but it was still an absolutely amazing cruise."
According to cruise industry publication Cruise Industry News, all passengers on the "Norwegian Gem"
will receive a full refund
.
[Norwegian cruise ship resumes after 17 positive cases of COVID-19]
The pandemic has caused continuous setbacks in the cruise sector, especially since December due to the explosion of cases caused by the omicron variant.
Earlier this month, this same company canceled numerous voyages due to "ongoing travel restrictions" found in different countries.
Royal Caribbean Cruises also canceled its "Spectrum of the Seas" cruise, which was due to depart on January 6, after nine passengers from a previous voyage were exposed to COVID-19.
FBI investigates the disappearance of a mother who was traveling on a Carnival cruise
Dec. 14, 202102:18
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have warned that cruise travel right now carries the risk of contracting and spreading the virus, regardless of each passenger's vaccination status.
Even so, they announced that they would continue to allow such trips as a protocol for the pandemic.