... There was zero attempt on the Diamond Princess to control an outbreak. Their response was reactive weeks later and not proactive prior to boarding. On the Diamond Princess infected and symptomatic (coughing) passengers from China boarded and were spreading on day 1.
Although coughing does not always signify a contagion and you can’t assume somebody’s Health. I’m pretty sure that there’s been a coughing person on every single ship out there just for smokers alone. I find it interesting that people can start a cruise at any of several different ports so that’s why it’s hard to get a start date for that Diamond princess cruise. So outside of boarding, I’ve listed below some of the facts given for the diamond princess.
On 3 February, 2020, an outbreak of COVID-19 on cruise ship Diamond Princess was reported with 10 initial cases, following an index case (1st person diagnosis of Covid from ship) on board around 21-25th January. By 4th February, public health measures such as removal and isolation of ill passengers and quarantine of non-ill passengers were implemented. By 20th February, 619 of 3700 passengers and crew (17%) were tested positive.
So now I assume we would go through temperature testing, questions about foreign countries we visited within the past 14 days, cough symptoms, Covid symptoms..., And as many have discussed, possible Covid testing, and social distancing in the boarding areas. All helpful changes to get us back on the ships again. A new sign in procedure for DCL that will space out our arrival time and crowding within the terminal.
I kind a hope I’m not on that for sailing!
The diamond princess did attempt to mitigate the problem of Covid 19, but let’s be honest, it kicked their butt, they zigged when they should’ve zagged. We appreciate Disneys commitment to cleanliness and safety standards. Diamond princess didn’t do a great job, but they did do something, not knowing what they were facing I don’t see any reason to blame them. They were in over their head. And DCL didn't come in smelling like a rose as they floated into port either. And obviously we are all learned over the past six months what will and won’t work. We can see already at the beaches and a Sturgis event, that crowds easily pass the virus. Everything you do with cruising is in a crowd Unless you’re in your cabin. You try to make sure you’re cruising with healthy people, but a cab driver on the way to the port can confect a healthy family of four, so constant testing or at least temperature checks could be helpful at each group event (Theater, pool, meals,…)
The diamond princess did things trying to make the customers happy. But that just wasn’t enough to keep the virus from spreading.
Anyway the point of my comment was how much might need to be done to the ship in order to help with social distancing and that might move back the start date for a few of the DCL ships that might not start the same week. I’m still with November for the Wonder but I’ll starting to sail in January.