Coronavirus: Hundreds of British tourists stranded on Caribbean cruise after five people test positive

The Bahamas refuse to allow passengers to disembark amid global pandemic

Hundreds of British tourists are stranded on a cruise ship in the Caribbean after five people on board tested positive for coronavirus.

The MS Braemar, run by the UK-based firm Fred. Olsen, has been denied permission to dock in several ports and is now anchored 25 miles off The Bahamas.

Twenty passengers and twenty crew members remain in isolation as officials work out the best way to get all 682 passengers home as quickly as possible.

The UK-based cruise line firm Fred.Olsen said in a statement on Sunday afternoon that it was waiting for final permission to take on board extra fuel, food, medicine and other supplies.

“We have been working around the clock with the Bahamian authorities to get supplies on to the ship but it is taking longer than we expected to get the necessary clearances,” said managing director Peter Deer.

We are also liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who I know are doing everything they can to get people home as soon as possible.”

The UK Foreign Office, which recently advised people over 70 not to travel on cruise ships, has sent letters to all British nationals on board advising them to follow guidance on social distancing and other public health messages.

Fred.Olsen said that its evening entertainment venue had been closed but added that all bars and restaurants remained open.

Guests have been given a “complementary all-inclusive drinks package” and access to free wifi, and on Saturday they were entertained by the ship’s live band on deck.

MS Braemar was due to end its 14-day cruise in Barbados on Thursday. However four crew and one guest tested positive for coronavirus on 10 March as the ship neared the port of Willemstad in Curacao in the Dutch Antilles.

Since then the ship has been turned away from Barbados and the Bahamas and neither passengers nor crew were allowed to disembark.

“This decision is based on consideration for the protection of the health and safety of the Bahamian people,” said the Bahamas transport ministry.

Officials are believed to be negotiating with Cuba and the US to allow passengers to leave the ship, rather than begin the ten-day journey to the UK.

Sophie Phipps-Tick, whose parents are on the ship, tweeted: “We are getting little info. When will they be allowed home to uk? They are 80+ not IT or social media savvy and need medication.”