FILE - This Jan. 29, 2021 record photograph shows a Carnival Cruise Line motion astatine PortMiami successful Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) (Lynne Sladky, Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

MIAMI – A COVID-19 outbreak took spot connected a South Florida-based cruise vessel for the 3rd clip this week, arsenic the fig of coronavirus cases successful Florida deed its second-highest level since the commencement of the pandemic.

An undisclosed fig of passengers and unit aboard the Carnival Freedom cruise caught the microorganism truthful the vessel was denied introduction to Bonaire and Aruba, Carnival said successful a statement.

The vessel has 2,497 passengers and 1,112 unit members and was scheduled to instrumentality to Miami connected Sunday pursuing an 8-day cruise. Passengers were required to beryllium vaccinated and they were tested earlier leaving past Saturday, according to Carnival.

“Carnival Freedom is pursuing each protocols and has a tiny fig connected committee who are successful isolation owed to a affirmative COVID test," the connection said. “Our protocols expect this anticipation and we instrumentality them arsenic indispensable to support the wellness and information of our guests and crew."

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Ashley Peterson, a rider connected the ship, tweeted a photograph of a Dec. 22 missive from the ship's skipper apologizing for being incapable to marque the stops successful Aruba and Bonaire. The missive said passengers would get $100 per country successful onboard recognition and refunds for excursions planned astatine the 2 stops.

“We cognize these unexpected changes are disappointing and interaction your cruise vacation, nevertheless we spot you recognize this is extracurricular our control," said the missive from Capt. Mario Imbimbo.

It was the 3rd outbreak this week affecting cruise ships operated by Carnival and Royal Caribbean departing Miami and Fort Lauderdale ports.

Meanwhile, Florida had 26,811 caller COVID-19 cases connected Thursday, the second-highest regular fig since the commencement of the pandemic successful the U.S. successful March 2020, according to information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The highest was successful past August erstwhile 27,802 cases were reported.

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