Oscars, movies help passengers while away the time

TOKYO: Some cruise ship passengers savoured lavish meals; others watched movies or were glued to the live Academy Awards broadcast.

Nearly a week into quarantine on the Diamond Princess, tied up at the quay in Yokohama, boredom mixed with anxiety as the hours ticked by and 66 more people tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total cases on the ship to 136.

Health authorities have said the quarantine will stretch to Feb 19 unless something unexpected happens, meaning deliverance is still more than a week away for the nearly 3,700 crew and passengers on board, ranging in age from children to octogenarians.

Some passengers tried to be upbeat about the situation.

“Princess stepping up its game with food service,” wrote passenger Matthew Smith under a photo of plates of food, including what appeared to be heaps of smoked salmon and several large pieces of chocolate cake. “You might have to drag me off the ship when the quarantine ends.”

Others watched the Oscars, which were broadcast live yesterday.

Small groups are allowed out on deck every other day, with priority given to those whose rooms don’t have windows, 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 blue sky,.

But others were less sanguine.

One passenger said younger passengers were worried about financial repercussions, such as losing jobs, due to the enforced time off.

Cruise ship officials said they would expand the entertainment on offer to help passengers while away the time. – Reuters