Diamond Princess Guests Allowed to Disembark After Coronavirus Quarantine

Princess Cruises today announced that Japanese health officials have decided to allow guests on the quarantined Diamond Princess to disembark the ship and complete the rest of their quarantine at a shoreside facility.

“From the information available, it is our understanding that this will be a phased approach, with the most medically vulnerable guests in the first phase, including older adults with pre-existing health conditions,” Princess said in a statement.

The first group let ashore will be tested for coronavirus and, if testing positive, will be transported to a local hospital. If the guest tests negative, they’ll be able to leave the ship and spend the rest of their quarantine in a housing facility that includes individual rooms and bathrooms, along with meals.

All guests are still allowed to stay onboard throughout the quarantine period.

The 3,700 passengers and crew members onboard have been quarantined since Feb. 4. In total, more than 200 of the people onboard have tested positive for coronavirus, including another 44 that tested positive on Tuesday.

Princess is offering a full fare refund for all guests onboard, including all add-ons along with air fare and ground transportation. Princess is also giving guests a future cruise credit equal to cruise fare paid.