Coronavirus

Carnival Offers Its Empty Cruise Ships To Serve As Makeshift Hospitals

Carnival is one of several cruise lines that stopped operating amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Carnival Offers Its Empty Cruise Ships To Serve As Makeshift Hospitals
Carnival Corporation
SMS

The Carnival Cruise Line is offering up some of its empty ships as hospitals to help combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Carnival said Thursday that certain ships could be used as temporary hospitals for non-coronavirus patients so hospitals can free up more beds to fight COVID-19.

Carnival was one of several cruise companies that suspended operations over the pandemic.

The CDC is telling U.S. citizens to avoid travel by cruise ships over concerns passengers or crew could spread the coronavirus.

In fact, some cruise ships currently at sea are struggling to find a country that will let them dock.

That comes after passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship were forced to quarantine for nearly a month as over 700 passengers and crew members fell ill with the coronavirus. Eight people died.

President Donald Trump said he spoke with Carnival's CEO Thursday and that the company's offer was "generous." But it's unclear if health authorities will take Carnival up on it.

Contains footage from CNN.