A 77-year-old woman passed away from COVID-19 on August 14th after testing positive on Carnival cruise to Belize. The death marks the first reported death of a passenger from the virus since cruises restarted in the Caribbean and the United States in June.
“We are very sorry to hear about the death of a guest who sailed on Carnival Vista,” Carnival said in a statement. “Regrettably, there is a fair amount of disinformation about the circumstances of this matter. The guest almost certainly did not contract COVID on our ship, and she was assisted with expert medical care on board and was ultimately evacuated from Belize after we provided a resource to her family. We have continued to provide support to her family and are not going to add to their sadness by commenting further.”
As of August 24th, The Carnival Cruise line has updated their vaccination policy for passengers. All travelers are now required to be vaccinated but there are exceptions for children and those with medical issues. Passengers are also required to show proof of negative results on a COVID-19 test taken three days before boarding a ship.
Additionally, Carnival has also implemented a mask mandate for all passengers in indoor areas.
As the more contagious Delta variant of the virus continues to spread, the CDC issued updated guidance on Aug. 20 advising that travelers at increased risk for severe illness avoid going on cruises regardless of vaccination status.
It’s important to remember that cruise accidents and injuries are not uncommon. If you’re struggling with an injury or a death of a loved one from a cruise ship, we suggest you call BOATLAW, LLP. With over 40 years of combined experience, our attorneys are prepared to discuss your case and fight aggressively on your behalf.
