Oct 26 (Japan Times) - Cruise ships are resuming domestic operations after long service suspensions caused by the novel coronavirus crisis.
The Nippon Maru cruise ship operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Lines Ltd. departed the port of Niihama in Ehime Prefecture on Sunday and will arrive at the port of Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture the following day.
It is the first time for a cruise ship carrying passengers to go into service since February.
The Asuka II cruise ship operated by NYK Cruises Co. will also resume services from November.
Cruise ship operators are implementing infection prevention measures to ensure safe travel, while the transport ministry is planning to financially support infection control efforts in port facilities.
After the Nippon Maru arrives at Sasebo, passengers will visit local tourist spots, such as the Huis Ten Bosch amusement park and Kujuku islands. The cruise ship is slated to return to Niihama on Tuesday afternoon.
Although the Nippon Maru has a capacity of 530 people, the number of guests are limited to only around 200, while some 100 crew members will be on board.
The four-day cruise trip aboard the Asuka II will begin at the port of Yokohama on Nov. 2. The ship will head for the port of Shimizu in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Ahead of the trip, Asuka II crew members conducted a two-day drill through Wednesday to practice responding to a potential coronavirus outbreak on the ship. The members checked the steps for isolating and transporting the infected passengers.
