Local time: 2/7/2020
08:08 What seems to be a military truck showed up on port? Will update here as I can. There are men in camo that are port side.
09:00 We got fresh towels! To those on the ship, just call your attendant periodically. They are washing towels every now and again and can offer fresh ones.
09:41 Interviewed with a Japanese newspaper. There are now two military trucks and 5 ambulances, all in hazmat suits – imagining more people will be taken ashore for treatment. The food situation has gotten MUCH better – we went to bed hungry and thirsty, but are actually full now.
09:57 41 new cases for a total of 61 cases on board. Lots of news crews, helicopters, and ambulances arriving. No news has been shared from Princess Cruises – we learned from the news. The help desk told us that those who have tested negative will be notified as well.
10:28 Thermometers and gloves will be delivered to every stateroom. Gloves and masks must be worn for open deck time. Temperature must be recorded at regular intervals – any temperature higher than 37.5c must be reported. The cruise line is doing the very best that they can, and seem to have a system in place now that works.
15:29 Just woke up from a much needed nap – lunch came! Still 1-2 dozen ambulances out. Someone in our hallway was taken away. It feels a bit like the hunger games with uncertainty of who will be plucked next. Lunch is really nice today – much like the dining hall meals. Now our only issues are uncertainty and boredom, plus of course confinement and lack of exercise.
16:29 Worthy update.. I think booze is for sale?
16:58 We found out some of our aussie friends were told that they were negative. Huge relief, as they sat next to us for the two weeks of the cruise at dinner!
18:05 Japanese authorities continue to take people off the boat, with about a dozen people to go, looks like. People are getting roughly an hours notice before being removed from the boat. Situation on the boat is good – we’re still stuck to the cabins but making the most of the situation. We’ve actually been busy today with everything online! We’ve interviewed with a japanese newspaper and Chinese news site today, with an American news channel tonight/tomorrow. People have reached out to us to see if we can get supplies delivered. Y’all have been so kind and responsive, we really appreciate it!
18:30 We learned that some people were separated from their husbands today due to being tested positive. Their spouses are not allowed to join them. Wonder if those spouses are being re-tested? Our status has yet to be confirmed.
18:51 Dinner is here! Food situation remains to be great. When I catch up with replies, I’ll work on getting a photo album up.
19:35 Read on our Facebook thread that people are not being reimbursed by travel insurance due to the fact that it’s an epidemic. In one case, a news journalist reached out to an insurer asking about why they weren’t covering us – turns out, they changed their mind and covered them! Hopefully either we can get coverage, OR the cruise line does the right thing for lost wages, lost time, uncertainty, and just in general the situation that none of us can control.
19:40
41 new cases with a total of 61. This concludes the 273 originally tested. Happy to say that my wife and I are NEGATIVE!
Nationality breakdown: Argentina: 1 Australia: 5 Canada: 5 Japan: 21 American: 8 Britain: 1
Quarantine official end date is Wednesday, 2/19/2020, unless further developments are made by the Japanese health ministry. The US embassy is working to get us off the boat on this date. Until then, cabin confinement will be a thing, along with visits to the open deck every day on a rotating schedule. Not everyone will get to go each day. Tomorrow, ocean view staterooms can go outside. All interior cabins have been able to see light today. Mandatory masks/gloves will be worn.
The Japanese health ministry has provided us with additional doctors and medical staff to assist with the ongoing situation.
We’ve been provided with even more water, and have two gallons stockpiled of bottled water. The cruise ship is well stocked, and passengers are being well taken care of. Cabin fever and keeping occupied is the major challenge for many of us, though puzzles are being handed out, origami paper, and many movies are being added. The cruise line has really come together to make the best of the situation. Broadband speeds have greatly increased, and are free. They’re also working on in-room activities to keep us occupied. A new food/beverage menu is being developed. They’ve addressed that being confined is a tough situation, and truly are making quality of life better.
Balconies have been addressed – we can go out as we please, but are required to wear masks. Here’s a value pack of masks available similar to those that we were given. They are selling out on and off, so the link to Amazon may or may not be available. We’re ready to get N95 masks instead!
The crew has done an amazing job through extraordinary circumstances, and Princess Cruises has really stepped to the plate today. The captain has been much more vocal today – I can’t imagine the stress that’s being put on him between the company, embassies, the Japanese government, and passengers frustrations.
Tomorrow morning at about 08:00, the Diamond Princess will set sail to sea for normal marine operations (I.e, making water), and will return in the evening back to Yokohama’s daikoku cruise terminal.
I’ll have more updates tomorrow – off to watch a movie with the wife! Things are good, and today, we had BACON. Our clogged arteries are happy! Next adventure starts tomorrow.
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