Dozens of cruise ships with COVID-19 cases are under observation by the U.S. authorities during their cruises, and several of them are reportedly denied port in the Caribbean. Over 60 cruise ships are monitored after "reported cases of COVID-19 have met the threshold for CDC investigation," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. One of the denied, the Carnival Freedom, was turned away from the Caribbean island of Bonaire.

"We're sailing on a petri dish," said Ashley Peterson, a 34-year-old passenger on board, cited by the Post. "I feel like I just spent my past week at a super spreader event."

In a statement to AFP, Carnival confirmed that "a small number on board were isolated due to a positive COVID test."

"The rapid spread of the omicron variant may shape how some destination authorities with limited medical resources may view even a small number of cases, even when they are being managed with our vigorous protocols," the company said, without providing further details.

The Carnival Freedom arrived in Miami Sunday morning, debarked all guests and "will depart on its next voyage as planned," the company said, adding if it was denied entry to a certain port it would work "to find an alternative destination."

It added the CDC was "fully informed and supportive of our protocols and operational plans."

At the beginning of the previous week, 55 people tested positive for COVID-19 aboard a Royal Caribbean International cruise, according to the line.

As Royal Caribbean stated, even though 95% of the passengers have been vaccinated, the infections have spread among them and crew members on the "Odyssey of the Seas".

Being precautious, the ship avoided docking at the last ports of call on its  8-day cruise, Caribbean Islands of Curacao and Aruba. It arrived back on Sunday to the port of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.