Combined with one remaining disembarkation being planned, these developments reflect the evacuation of over 120 vessels in the last three weeks to evacuate 250,000 passengers from cruise ships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. In its news release the Coast Guard said.
Under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and collaborating with the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard facilitated the secure landing, inspection, quarantine and repatriation of these passengers in a way that avoided further spread of the COVID-19 virus.
On 13 March, most of the cruise line industry announced a voluntary suspension of cruise ship operations from U.S. call ports, and on 14 March the CDC released a "No Sail" warning to all cruise ships that did not voluntarily suspend their operations.
The drawdown of passenger operations is a significant achievement, but it does not remove concerns from the U.S. government about cruise ships and their crews.
There are 114 cruise ships today that hold 93,000 crew members, either in or near U.S. ports and waters. It involves 73 cruise ships moored or anchored in U.S. ports and anchorages, with 52,000 crew members.
Maritime Business World