The Case Of The Suspected Omicron Variant Aboard A Norwegian Cruise Ship Was Originally From A South African Crew

Illustration of the cruise ship The Norwegian Breakaway. (Wikimedia Commons/Ad Meskens)

JAKARTA - A South African crew member suspected of being infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was among 17 cases of the virus detected on a cruise ship that disembarked in New Orleans, United States over the weekend, the shipping company said Monday.

United States officials are closely monitoring the latest variant, which has been detected in at least a third of states, to try to determine its severity amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.

Cruise company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., said crew members aboard the Norwegian Breakaway, were isolated for the entire voyage that departed New Orleans on November 28 carrying more than 3.200 people with stops in Belize, Honduras and Mexico.

Louisiana health officials said all passengers were tested for COVID-19 before leaving the ship, and those who tested positive would travel to their homes, in private vehicles or self-isolate in accommodation provided by Norwegian Cruise Line.

When they disembarked on Sunday, several passengers said they were not informed of the outbreak while on board.

"I mean, they tested everyone yesterday, but they didn't tell us," passenger Frank Sousla told NBC, citing Reuters December 7.

"I found out on Facebook, and I thought it was very irresponsible."

At the start of the pandemic, outbreaks on cruise ships prompted United States health officials to suspend cruises, causing billions of dollars in losses. The rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine, combined with delayed demand for holiday travel, has helped the industry recover since cruises resumed this summer.

Illustration of the cruise ship The Norwegian Breakaway. (Wikimedia Commons/Brendan J. O'Reilly)

All major cruise operators departing from Uncle Sam's ports, including Norwegian Cruise Lines, require guests and crew to be fully vaccinated. Norwegian Norwegian Cruise Lines also requires all guests with a cruise departure date of up to January 16, 2022, to take a COVID-19 antigen test before boarding the aircraft.

Passengers agree to accept risks, including death from traveling during the pandemic, according to ticket Norway, which recommends guests seek doctor's advice before boarding. The contract also specifically says passengers accept the risk of a new variant of COVID-19.

To hold the shipping company liable for any injuries caused by the outbreak, plaintiffs must prove the company did not take care to protect passengers, said Martin Davies, director of the Center for Maritime Law at Tulane University in New Orleans.

"I'm not sure what else they can do," Davies said, pointing to Norway's vaccination and testing requirements for passengers and staff.

Meanwhile, the shipping company said in a statement on Monday, passengers sailing on the next Breakaway voyage departing on Sunday "must wear a mask while indoors except when actively eating or drinking and will be tested twice during the cruise."

Meanwhile, fully vaccinated guests are not required to wear masks, except on European cruises, according to Norwegian policy.

The outbreak at Breakaway is smaller than others recorded in recent months by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which says an increase in cruise ship travel has led to COVID-19 cases among passengers and crew members despite high vaccination rates in both groups.

To note, from June 26 to October 21, there were 1.359 confirmed cases of coronavirus reported to the CDC by cruise ships, including several major outbreaks.