Oscars, movies help pass the time on cruise ship quarantined in Japan
16:12, 10/02/2020, MondayU: Update: 16:15, 10/02/2020, Monday
REUTERS
The cruise ship Diamond Princess lies at anchor as workers and officers prepare to transfer passengers tested positive for the novel coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan February 10, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
BIGGEST REGRETS
The biggest regrets for the couple, from Atlanta in the United States: having to leave their grandsons, 25 and 23, in the cabin they had shared on the ship, not bringing more changes of clothes and being stuck with Japanese hospital fare.
"I would really love a Big Mac and french fries," Renee said. "I'm getting tired of miso soup."
The Smiths say they aren't worried about their health, as they've shown no symptoms, despite having the coronavirus.
"We’ve had a good life, if things don't work to our advantage on this one - so we feel good about life in general," Clyde said. Asked if this experience would put the two retirees – who have visited all seven continents – from further travels, Renee declared, "Oh, heavens no. This is a little bump in the road."
Back onboard the Diamond Princess, small groups are allowed out on deck every other day but must wear masks and stay well away from other people.
"We're out in the bay, docked, so it's kind of nice," passenger Adam Waltz said in a video showing him and a companion walking briskly under Monday's blue sky, sun flashing off the ocean.
But others were less sanguine. One passenger, with the Twitter name Da, said he or she had talked to younger passengers worried about financial repercussions, such as losing jobs, due to the enforced time off.
More confessed to unease later on Monday.
"There's going to be a shipboard announcement, but I can see ambulances and trucks lining up," Da wrote. "Now we're just waiting for more news from the Health Ministry."
Cruise ship officials said they would expand the entertainment on offer to help passengers pass the time.
