The cruise ship Nautica operated by Oceania Cruises is under quarantine after several contractors and crew members onboard tested positive for Covid-19, reports one crew member currently on board. Nautica is at the wet dock in Genoa, Italy for refurbishment when the first cases were reported and lock dock was announced by the Port on December 3. The crew member said that the virus originates from contractors who boarded after the ship entered the port.
“Details are limited from the staff captain announcement, only contractors are called in the public address system. Some are isolated here and some are disembarked. Crew’s did the test on Friday and details are not disseminated to all. But before the outbreak happened, we have already cases of crew who had close contact with contractors that are having respiratory problems. We don’t have onboard doctor, she resign late November. Though we had the 2nd dose of vaccine there are still some who have Covid-19 symptoms,” said the crew member who wishes to remain anonymous.
The Captain declared ships isolation, meaning that no one is permitted to go out or board the ship until the vessel is clear from the Genoa Port Authorities. The exact number of crew infected with the virus is still unclear. According to the crew member, there are about 8 to 10 infected crew, and between 16 to 18 contractors. These numbers are not official since the management is not revealing more details to the downline crew.
“Contractors use crew lifts and are in close contact with the crew. Temperature checking for contractors while having food breaks are conducted by ordinary crew. This should be done by medical personnel. I understand the Manning challenges. Other departments are operating in few crew and that the onboard management are pulling crew from other departments. But the stripe people are not showing examples. Only the ordinary crew are facing the contractors,” added the crew member.
Last night the ship underwent full fumigation with wide-area spraying in an attempt to control the virus.
MS Nautica is scheduled to emerge from an extensive drydock in April 2022. The luxurious vessel is set to travel across Europe on a series of cruises ranging from 10 to 24 days to the French and Italian Rivieras, the Greek Isles, the Holy Lands, and the Canary Islands.
