Five cases of Hantavirus have been confirmed on the MV Hondius cruise ship, creating a mix of fear and routine for the passengers on board.
Elaine Spencer, 60, experienced a sense of déjà vu upon hearing the news. Having endured a 16-day quarantine on the Diamond Princess during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, followed by another 14 days of isolation in Liverpool, she is now empathizing with the current passengers facing uncertainty.
As the MV Hondius heads towards the Canary Islands amid controversy, Elaine emphasizes the potential dangers of the unknown aspect of the situation to the passengers.
Elaine and her husband John, 61, were confined in a windowless cabin while the ship was near Japan, waiting out the quarantine period.
After spending three days near Cape Verde, the MV Hondius is en route to dock at the Canary Islands later this week. Initially facing opposition from the president of the Canaries, Fernando Clavijo, the Spanish authorities have now confirmed that the passengers will undergo medical assessments upon disembarkation, with Spaniards expected to undergo quarantine in Madrid.
Elaine, who documented her quarantine experience in a diary turned book, understands the vulnerability the current passengers may be feeling.
She advises the trapped passengers to stay focused, engage in activities like watching movies and reading, and prepare for the challenge of the unknown, which she believes is the most difficult part of the situation.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Elaine recalls the restrictions they faced, the lack of information from the outside world, and the surreal atmosphere that enveloped them during the quarantine period.
Although the experience was harrowing, Elaine remains undeterred in her love for cruising and continues to trust Princess Cruises for future travels.
Elaine shares her shock at the lack of mask-wearing upon leaving quarantine in Liverpool during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, contrasting it with the strict safety measures on the cruise ship.
The Diamond Princess, where Elaine was quarantined before, was much larger than the MV Hondius, with a significantly higher number of passengers and crew, highlighting the contrasting scale of the two cruise experiences.
The book “Diamond Quarantine: A cruise wrecked by Covid-19” by Elaine Spencer is available for purchase on Amazon.
