A COUPLE from Crossgates are among those who have been stranded aboard the Coronavirus hit 'Grand Princess' cruise ship.

Andrew and Norma Philip booked the dream trip to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary but it quickly turned into a nightmare.

The couple were confined to their cabins for five days after a Covid-19 outbreak on the ship which has been stuck just off the coast of San Francisco.

It's reported that nineteen crew members and two passengers have tested positive for the virus out of 3,000 people onboard.

Passengers finally started disembarking off the ship yesterday (Tuesday) when it docked in Oakland, California.

Those requiring urgent medical care will be taken to hospital first.

US citizens are going to be taken to military bases for a two-week isolation period, but foreign nationals including 140 Britons, will be taken home.

It's hoped that they will arrive on a flight back to the UK today (Wednesday).

Andrew and Norma have been documenting their "cabin fever" to keep loved-ones up-to-date.

It's unclear whether they have left the ship, as the last contact the Times had with the couple on Monday night they said they were in the middle of docking but they hoped to get off "soon".

In a video posted on Facebook on Monday morning, Norma said: "We are back in San Francisco and to say we are delighted is an understatement.

"It might be another couple of days, but hey-ho, dry land is in sight!"

Passengers were on their way to Mexico when Coronavirus was found onboard.

They were advised to stay in their rooms while food and drink are delivered straight to them.

Their son, Lee Philip, said there has been a medical emergency onboard and a passenger has had to be airlifted off by the coast guard.

Andrew has been trying to see the funny side and posed with a mask and two Corona's beers.

On day four (Sunday) of being confined to their cabins, Norma said passengers had finally be allowed to go for a walk on the deck and were supplied with the masks for the occasion.

For the majority of the time, they had been stuck in a holding pattern "going round and round in circles".

She also said the ship had received no contact with the UK Foreign Office at that time.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We continue to work closely with the US authorities to repatriate British nationals on board the Grand Princess.

"Their current plan is for a flight to leave early on Tuesday, returning to the UK.

"We remain in contact with all British nationals on board and will continue to offer support."