Today the last passengers disembarked the cruise ship Greg Mortimer which was struck by COVID-19 outbreak. The latest report shows that 128 crew and passengers tested positive for the virus. Greg Mortimer operated by Australia's Aurora Expeditions was sailing with a total of 217 people during the last voyage, is currently near the coast of Montevideo, Uruguay. The passages left the ship, however, the crew will remain on board the ship under quarantine.

The news media reported today that Royal Caribbean Cruises plans to lay off and furloughing a significant number of employees based in the United States.

Galapagos health authorities announced on Tuesday that 48 crew members aboard the cruise ship Celebrity Flora tested positive for COVID-19. The tests were carried out on all 69 crew members currently on board the ship, and 48 tested positive for the virus. The crew is isolated in single cabins and the ship is under quarantine. Authorities say this is a significant increase to the total number of cases in Galapagos Islands which had only 24 cases reported on the Archipelago.

On Saturday, April 11, the Brazil National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) proceeded with the disembarkation of the Costa Facisinosa crew in the port of Santos. 246 Filipino crew members were scheduled to disembark the cruise ship, however, only 227 were allowed to leave after 19 crew members tested positive for COVID-19. 

The first phase of Costa Mediterranea plan to transfer Filipino and Indonesian crew from Costa Pacifica, as well as debarking the European crew, was completed successfully. After arriving at the port of La Spezia, on April 10, Costa Mediterranea received 408 crew from Costa Pacifica, and at the same time, 221 crew debarked the ship and transferred to Costa Pacifica. The vessel set sail from La Spezia on April,13 and is heading to the port of Brindisi, Italy.

A crew member was medevacked off the cruise ship Mein Schiff 5 on Sunday, April 12, at the port of Ierapetra, Greece. According to the Greek media, the 25-year-old Indonesian crew member needed medical assistance after experiencing symptoms of appendicitis.

COIVD 19 has impacted much of the world not only in a medical manner, but its economy as well. With shutting down businesses, the economy has suffered and so have people with being laid off from work trying to figure out not only how to maintain healthy and safe, but also how to continue to support their families. However, shutting down business and reducing operations are prevention actions to reduce the spread of COVID 19.

Holland America Line plans to use the cruise ship ms Eurodam, to return the Indonesian and Filipino crew members back home. Before setting sail on this long journey, ms Eurodam will also pick up the fellow crew members from the cruise ships ms Maasdam and ms Westerdam. All three ships are safe with no positive cases of COVID-19.

The Italian cruise line Costa Cruises plans to use the cruise ship Costa Mediterranea to return the Indonesian and Filipino crew back home. The ship will embark on a one month voyage from Itlay to the Far East with a final stop the port of Shanghai. Before setting sail on this long journey Costa Mediterannea will stop in La Spezia to diembark European crew and pick up the Filipino and Indonesian crew from the cruise ship Costa Pacifica.

Following the plans by P&O Australia and Royal Caribbean to set sail from Australia and bring the crew home, Carnival Cruise Line is preparing to do the same with the two Australia based ships Carnival Splendor and Carnival Spirit.