Princess Cruises Pauses Global Operations

UNDATED (AP) – Princess Cruises has announced that, due to the new coronavirus, it will voluntarily pause global operations of its 18 cruise ships for 60 days, affecting trips departing March 12 to May 10. Cruise ships have been particularly hard hit amid the new pandemic. The Diamond Princess cruise ship, which Japanese officials held in a flawed quarantine operation, infected hundreds of passengers and crew. Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, says the company aims to reassure passengers they have their well-being in mind. Those now on a Princess cruise that will end in the next five days will continue to sail as expected. Current voyages that extend beyond March 17 will be ended at the most convenient location for guests.