JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The first cruise ship to sail from North America in 15 months is almost ready.
Two days before passengers disembarked, Celebrity Cruises announced that there were two of its passengers on board who were sharing a room that tested positive for COVID-19.
The ship, whose crew and passengers were all fully vaccinated, says both are asymptomatic and isolated from others.
For the couple Karah and Paul Mosteller from Jacksonville, this cruise was their honeymoon and a great one too.
We were able to give Facetime to the bride and groom on their last night on the ship.
Karah explained, “It was really fun, it was great. We had a good time and really did everything we wanted. “
But she says getting on board is not an easy task.
“We had to go to the Orlando airport for a quick 30 minute PCR test, which was awesome. That was the crazy part and then we had to fill out electronic health information forms to send to the Saint Martin government for permission to come here and upload our vaccination cards and everything else. “
Paul added that the crew checked her vaccination cards several times before she was allowed on board.
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When it was revealed on Thursday that two of its passengers had tested positive for the coronavirus, the Mostellers said not much had changed.
“Actually the captain only came a few minutes ago and said they had finished all the tests and no one else tested positive, just these two people.”
The Mostellers tell Action News Jax that they and others on board began knowing what could happen.
“Everyone knew that despite the precautionary measures, the virus still existed and no one really cared about it. Everyone just wanted to get on the boat and cruise. “
And although capacity on board is limited and crew members wear masks, it feels like a normal vacation.
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