There are countless studies about how taking a vacation can improve your life. We work hard everyday, but taking time for ourselves and our loved ones makes that work worth while. Studies show that even a brief vacation can lead to a reduction in stress, heart disease, and other physical ailments while improving relationships, productivity, sleep, and energy levels. But what happens when your hard earned vacation turns into a nightmare like it has for those aboard the Diamond Princess Cruise that has been quarantined due to an outbreak of the coronavirus.

The Diamond Princess Cruise is a British Grand-class ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises. It takes voyagers on vacations off the coasts of Asia and Australia during their perspective summer months. Earlier this month the Diamond Princess left port in Tokyo for it’s 14 day planned itinerary. It soon came to the attention of authorities that a passenger who had disembarked the ship had contacted the coronavirus. So as to contain the virus the ship is now docked near the port of Yokohama, Japan for a mandatory quarantine for the 3,700 individuals onboard. The World Health Organization stated that, “They need to remain in quarantine for 14 days from last contact with a confirmed case.” As cases increase the number of days for quarantine may increase as well.

On February 9, 2020 another 66 people tested positive, totaling 135 confirmed cases of the virus on the ship. Once confirmed, those ill passengers are safely removed from the ship and brought to a hospital with an infectious-disease ward. The remaining passengers are having their temperatures checked regularly as crew members go room to room. The cruise company is providing everyone on the ship with food and drinks, full TV access, phone and internet, and in room activities to keep cabin fever at bay, all free of charge. In addition, all passengers will be fully reimbursed for the cruise, and airfare, and supplied with a voucher for a free return cruise. Passengers are allowed to come out of their rooms in shifts for about 90 minutes of exercise with protective face masks on.

It is far from an ideal situation, but those onboard are trying to make the best of everything, understanding that the measures being taken are in everyone’s best interests. Meanwhile, an Australian couple onboard has found a way to have a little fun and has been sharing the experience through their Facebook account. Dave and Jan Binskin, from Queensland wrote, “Quarantined on the Diamond Princess in Yokohama Japan now into Day 6 of 14. We are confined to our cabin. [We] get let out every 4/5 days for 1 hour walk on the deck. We are well and in good spirits so far. Would appreciate any local news.” Then on February 7th, the couple posted a photo of Dave lounging on his bed with a glass of red wine and the caption, “On a lighter note, in the middle of the chaos yesterday we get a ring from our wine club, I asked do they do free freight to Japan. We have arranged for two cases to be delivered by drone. Naked Wine Club you’re incredible, just got the first drop thank god for drones. The Japanese Coast Guard did not know what the f*ck was going on.” Followed by another post a few hours latter stating, “Happy hour drone wine, even have a wine filter, day three going troppo!”

Dave and Jan have an ocean view cabin, which is presumably how they were able to gain access to a drone. Australia has become one of the leaders in bringing drone deliveries into reality. They began drone delivery trials back in 2018 with Project Wing, first delivering goods to about 100 homes from a selection of local retailers like a pharmacy, bakery, and coffee shop. A spokesperson for Wing said, “Our service allows customers to order a range of items such as fresh food, hot coffee or over-the-counter chemist items on our mobile app and have them delivered directly to their homes by drone in minutes.” Within an 18 month trial Wing successfully made more 3,000 drone deliveries before launching the program to a full commercial operation. Now Wing offers drone delivery from 15 retailers and is growing. Their website states, “Our aircraft is built with purposeful redundancies like backup batteries, multiple hover motors, and multiple navigation systems. We’ve flight tested this system over 80,000 times.”

The exact drone delivery company and the details about the order by Dave and Jan on the Diamond Princess have not been made clear yet. They posted that they were awaiting more drone deliveries to their cabin. However, it is not clear if these delivers have been completed or stopped by authorities. What is clear is that drones have proven their resourcefulness amid the boredom of being quarantined to a small ship cabin. Dave said to the The Weekend Australian, “It is mentally very draining. We are definitely getting cabin fever, but just trying to make the best of it.” With the use of a drone the couple was able to bring themselves a little joy from the outside world without compromising the rules of quarantine. It makes one wonder how else drone delivers could benefit those trapped on the Diamond Princess, or in other inaccessible places.

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