Cruise Lines Offer To Lend A Hand As Remote Hospitals

Cruise lines around the world are on the brink of being transformed into remote hospitals tasked with providing some much-needed assistance to governments during the Coronavirus epidemic.

Cruise ships transformed in remote hospitals

A spokesman for Saga Cruises confirmed that, while no plans are yet in place, they would welcome conversations with the British government about using ships currently docked in Tilbury to support the NHS. Similarly, Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ marketing director, Mike Hall, said “CMV is always prepared to offer assistance based on humanitarian needs.”

Carnival Corporation has offered ships from its fleets including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and P&O Cruises Australia to serve as temporary hospitals for communities handling the Covid-19 situation.

Tony Roberts, vice president of Princess Cruises UK& Europe, said on Twitter: “With the continued spread of covid-19 expected to exert extra added pressure on healthcare facilities, Princess Cruises (and other Carnival brands) are calling on governments and health authorities to consider using cruise ships as temporary healthcare facilities.”

Meanwhile in Italy, the MSC Cruises group is already providing assistance in the Liguria region. Converted ferry Splendid has become a floating hospital as it hosts those recovering in a part of Italy that has been hit hard by the Covid-19 outbreak.