In a video message, Princess Cruises president
Jan Swartz sought to calm the cruising public about the coronavirus crisis.
While Swartz made the video, the Grand Princess was docked
off the coast of San Francisco while ill passengers were tested for coronavirus.
A handful of passengers on the Grand Princess’ previous cruise tested positive for Covid-19 and one passenger later
died, reported the Associated Press.
In February, some 2,600 passengers were quarantined on the
Diamond Princess in Japan. The coronavirus outbreak on the ship was a big story worldwide. Six passengers ultimately died.
“Our ships are small floating cities,” Swartz said. “Just as
life happens in cities for good and the bad, life also happens on board our
ships.”
She added, “Our hearts break for the families and loved ones
who have lost their lives to this illness.”
She said the company is working with the Centers for Disease
Control and Protection worldwide health organizations to ensure that their
ships are safe.
“World-class sanitation efforts are under way onboard
Diamond Princess,” she said. “We learned a lot from our recent experience in
Japan. We are taking those lessons into account as we continue to support our
fleet and our guests.”