Cunard's Queen Mary 2 cruise ship arrives in New York City with 10 passengers with COVID

Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 arrived in Brooklyn on Monday carrying 10 passengers who tested positive for COVID-19, the cruise line said in a statement shared by Jackie Chase, director of public relations for Cunard.

The ship was carrying 1,473 passengers, the "vast majority" of whom are from the U.S. and the U.K., Chase said. The 10 positive tests came back during "routine testing" according to the Carnival Corp. subsidiary. It was not immediately clear from Cunard whether close contacts were traced. All passengers were required to be fully vaccinated and to test for COVID before boarding.

The ship departed from Southampton on Dec. 13 for a transatlantic itinerary and will sail to the Caribbean on Wednesday with plans to return to New York City on Jan. 3 before returning to the U.K. 

The passengers were being disembarked in New York City in line with Cunard's protocol, before the ship continues on its itinerary. 

"Whilst the guests who have tested positive have disembarked, in line with approved protocols, all guests remaining on board will be tested again in the coming days," Cunard said.

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The passengers who had to leave the ship are being supported by Cunard's "CARE" team during isolation in hotels in New York.

After isolation and upon receipt of a negative COVID test, passengers who disembarked to isolate who want to go back to the U.K. on the Queen Mary 2 can rejoin the ship on Jan. 3.

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