It seems possible that the coronavirus pandemic is about to run its course and disappear into the history books like the Spanish Flu that swept the world at the end of the first world war. It still seems fairly active in Wuhan, China but the numbers are receding in the rest of the world and we are told that work on a vaccine is reaching an advanced stage.
Unfortunately, one of the news stories that repeatedly made world headlines concerned the passengers and crew of Diamond Princess, a luxury cruise ship stranded in the waters off Japan. It - and several other similar ships - was refused entry to ports in many countries when it was discovered the virus was active onboard and the ship went into lockdown.
Passengers were ordered to remain in their cabin and movement around the ship ceased. Initially, this was for a nominated number of days of quarantine with the promise they would then be able to leave the ship and fly home, but the numbers falling ill because of the virus mounted and various nationalities demanded their government make arrangements to fly them home.
That was exactly the bad news story the ever growing cruise ship industry didn't want the world to see and hear. The luxury liner was a growth industry back in the 1920's until it was replaced by the aeroplane. The era of the jumbo jet drove down seat prices and opened the world to travel and shipping lines correctly guessed that luxury sea travel with high class entertainment would be a popular alternative to air travel.
The world has been in a ship building frenzy. The liners coming out of shipyards are ever bigger and more luxurious. The superstructure is higher to contain staterooms with a view and a balcony and they each now cater for thousands of passengers. Here in Australia we are experiencing a shortage of port facilities to accommodate the number of cruise ships scheduling an Australian visit. Sydney is shedding its overload to Botany Bay and liners have been calling at coastal ports from Port Kembla to Eden. This is a growth industry with no end in sight.
There is fear in the industry that the experience of the Diamond Princess passengers may curtail the booking frenzy. Before the coronavirus hit the headlines there were reports of normal stomach bugs common when masses of people congregate sweeping through cruise ships and creating the journey from hell. Is is now usual for passengers entering the dining room to encounter stewards proffering hand disinfectant to lower that infection risk.
The shipping companies have made big investments in new ships in the expectation that they can fill most sailings. If those numbers dwindle because of fear of being trapped aboard by a virus outbreak not only will the ships be less profitable but the money passengers spend at each port of call will also be much lower. Cruse ships are now a big component of the Australian tourist industry.
There is no doubt that Diamond Princess passengers found their quarantine very unpleasant and even frightening. No doubt the shipping companies will increase their advertising and probably offer fare enticement to try and maintain numbers but it also seems inevitable that some passengers will have second thoughts about ship travel until this virus scare blows over.
How long that takes is something the tourist industry in Australia will be watching with more than passing interest !
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