This was published 4 years ago
Brisbane couple trapped on cruise as business falls to pieces
By Lydia Lynch
A Brisbane couple trapped on a cruise ship off the coast of South America have been forced to watch their business crumble from the other side of the world.
Megan and Tony Hardy have laid off about 50 staff at their two Hardy Boys cafes at Carindale and Coomera since the outbreak.
Megan and Tony Hardy are trapped on a cruise ship in South America
Their two sons Jack and Tom, aged in their 20s, are running both businesses.
"At this stage both of our cafes are operating with two staff and only opening for takeaway coffee," Ms Hardy said.
"It is very difficult being so far away, our sons and staff have been amazing."
The couple began their 21-day cruise from Argentina to Peru aboard the Royal Caribbean's Azamara Pursuit on March 2.
On March 14 they were supposed to anchor for a day trip at Puerto Montt, Chile.
"They requested we have a temperature check - all passengers were OK, but two staff had a temperature so we were denied to go ashore," Ms Hardy said.
"We then headed to Valparaiso, Chile, and we were told to book flights home out of Chile for the 17-18 March and were not allowed to go to a hotel, only direct to airport.
"Most passengers did this but the Chilean government then denied us entry."
Royal Caribbean then decided the ship would sail to Miami, Florida, via Panama and was expected to dock in the US on Monday.
Ms Hardy fears even if they make it into Miami, they will be trapped in America, which has become the new epicentre of the virus.
"Our biggest concern now is arrival date and time into Miami and if we will be allowed off the ship and whether we will be able to find a flight home," she said.
"Most people have spent thousands of dollars on flights that just keep getting cancelled, it is very stressful."
Ms Hardy said the 76 Australians on board had been given no information from the government about how they could get home.
"A lot of us have rung DFAT several times, no information," she said.
"Passengers have also written to local members of Parliament with generic responses."
Ms Hardy said she and her husband had been going to the ship's gym two to three times a day to help pass time.
"Most people walk, stretch, do pilates, cycling classes, line dancing, ballet and play board games and bridge.
"You have to keep busy, a lot [of people] just eating and drinking."