Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation, is offering the U.S. the use of their cruise ships for use as temporary hospitals. Cruise ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and P&O Cruises Australia will be made available for use.
This news about the possibility of the U.S. Government using Carnival cruise ships for extra beds during the COVID-19 pandemic came out at the White House press conference a few minutes ago.
President Trump said that Micky Arison called and offered the use of the company’s ships should the U.S. need the rooms. The cruise ships could possibly be docked in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and other ports.
The temporary hospital cruise ships would be berthed at a pier near the community in need and operated by the ship’s crew, with all maritime operations, food and beverage, and cleaning services provided by crew members on the ship. Medical services would be provided by the government entity or hospital responsible for fighting the spread of COVID-19 within that community.
Arison said that Carnival has several cruise ships that would ideally suited for this need. President Trump went on to say that he appreciated the offer from Arison but a decision has not been made at time regarding the offer.
Carnival Corporation is the world’s largest travel and leisure company with over 100 cruise ships in service across nine cruise lines.