The AIDAperla cruise ship has been denied for a second time by a Caribbean port due to having sick guests onboard.
AIDAperla Denied Entry Again
The AIDAperla cruise ship which is operated by German-based Aida Cruises has been refused port entry for the second time during its current 14-day Caribbean voyage. The large vessel with over 3,000 passengers onboard was not allowed to enter the port at Dominica yesterday and the reason was apparently due to many guests who have caught a respiratory tract infection. We do not know the number but it is likely to be over a dozen or so for a port to deny entry.
As far as we know none of this is related to the Coronavirus which is spreading across China and the world and impacting multiple cruise lines. The ship has already been denied to call at St. Lucia on February 1 and authorities there did state the reason was not due to the Coronavirus. You can read our post about St. Lucia denying entry right here.
The good news is that there is a medical facility onboard with doctors and nurses and no doubt passengers are being well cared for. Ships as large as the AIDAperla are well prepared for outbreaks such as the Norovirus.
The vessel was originally scheduled to arrive in Roseau, Dominica at around 8:00 AM but the ship was not allowed to enter the port. The cruise line would have to refund any pre-booked tours through them but at the moment no specific details have been released.
Today the cruise ship was allowed to dock in Guadeloupe and guests have been able to enjoy some time on land for the first time since January 31 in Saint Vincent. The next scheduled port of call will be at Antigua tomorrow and after that call, there are still five more before arriving back in Barbados on February 13.
Also Read: Princess Cruises Announces Restrictions and Amended Sailings
AIDAperla is just one of several at the moment having issues with ports. Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and P&O Cruises are all currently having problems in Asia due to the Coronavirus. Also recently the Costa Smeralda was held in Italy with potential infections and cruise lines have increased restrictions for those guests who have traveled to China.
At the moment the deadly Coronavirus has infected more than 19,000 people around the world and killed 426. China is in lockdown along with limited travel to other countries.
AIDAperla is more than 124,000 gross tons with a passenger capacity of 3,200 at double occupancy.
