Marysville woman among thousands quarantined aboard cruise ship

Among the 3,700 people ordered quarantined aboard a massive cruise ship off the coast of Yokohama Japan, is a 67-year-old woman from Marysville, who told KIRO 7 she’s confined to a windowless cabin--possibly for the next two weeks--after ten people on-board tested positive for coronavirus.

"I signed up for an adventure, and I'm getting an adventure," said Susan Anabel, who was traveling alone, and was scheduled to return on a flight back to Seattle from Tokyo, after a long-relaxing cruise aboard the Diamond Princess.

Anabel said when one passenger tested positive for Coronavirus days after leaving she ship for Hong Kong on Jan. 20, every person on the ship was tested for symptoms like fever. “It took the crew 18 hours to take our temperature,” she said.

"This morning we were told at 6:30 a.m. about the results, that ten of the people had coronavirus," she said. Princess Cruises said the giant ship anchored immediately outside the port of Yokohama in Japan, while more tests were being analyzed.

"I guess they don't want us near land," Anabel said. "They have the Japanese Coast Guard circling our ship."

Anabel, and everyone else on board was ordered quarantined in their cabins. She sent photos to KIRO 7 of her small room. Except for the occasional delivery of food—which has been mostly sandwiches, Anabel said she’s not allowed to even open her door. “I am from Seattle, and I like coffee,” she said, hoping for a delivery.

"I heard other passengers banging on the walls and swearing," she said.

She said those who tested positive, including one from the U.S. two Australians, three from Japan, three from Hong Kong, and one Filipino crew member were evacuated to isolation in hospitals in Japan.

Princess Cruises said 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew members on board were being isolated and evaluated as a precaution.

Susan says while the crew sanitizes the ship outside, she's considering her unplanned stay an adventure.

“I just have to have an open mind and we’ll see where this goes,” she said.

© 2020 Cox Media Group