Princess Cruises’ ship Grand Princess is being held off the California coast as federal health officials screen passengers on board following a passenger having died less than two weeks after he returned home to California.

A Princess Cruises spokesperson said: “After collaboration with and guidance from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and local authorities, Princess Cruises can confirm the following proactive measures to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our guests on board Grand Princess.

“While there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 currently on board, the CDC has identified groups of guests and crew who will be tested before arrival into San Francisco.

“There are fewer than 100 guests and crew identified for testing, including all in-transit guests (guests who sailed the previous Mexico voyage and remained on board for the current Hawaii voyage), those guests and crew who have experienced influenza-like illness symptoms on this voyage, and guests currently under care for respiratory illness.

“To facilitate this testing, the U.S. Coast Guard will deliver sampling kits to the ship the morning of March 5 via helicopter. Our onboard medical team will administer the test and the samples will be sent in batches by helicopter to a lab in Richmond, California, across the bay from San Francisco.

“Public health officials have advised that no guests will be permitted to disembark until all results have been received. Out of an abundance of caution, all guests who have been identified for testing have been asked to remain in their staterooms. We will continue to proceed under the guidance of the U.S. CDC and local authorities.”

Princess Cruises has also cancelled Grand Princess‘ upcoming Hawaii cruise departing on 7 March in light of recent events.

All guests will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, Princess Air, Princess Cruise Plus pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, prepaid shore excursions and other prepaid items purchased through Princess Cruises.

Unexpected expenses, such as air change fees, reimbursement of reasonable non-refundable out-of-pocket expenses will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Guests will also receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 100 per cent of the cruise fare paid on this voyage.

Last month, Grand Princess‘ sister ship Diamond Princess was put under quarantine for over two weeks following an outbreak of coronavirus on board, with more than 700 passengers testing positive for the virus.

Follow the latest updates here.