One cruise company is hoping to help more people get the care they need by some unconventional means.

The company is offering to convert ships into temporary hospitals for non-coronavirus patients, therefore taking pressure off land-based hospitals.

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise operator, said it’s willing to convert some of its ships to serve as floating hospitals to help with the impacts on healthcare systems around the world. Ships from the company’s global cruise line brands could be used, including vessels from Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.

The offer comes as more cruise ships are temporarily out of commission during the pandemic and medical officials worry the number of coronavirus cases may exceed the hospital’s capacity and overwhelm the health care system.

“If needed, cruise ships are capable of being quickly provisioned to serve as hospitals with up to 1,000 hospital rooms that can treat patients suffering from less critical, non-COVID-19 conditions,” Carnival said in a press release last week.

“These temporary cruise ship hospital rooms can be quickly converted to install and connect remote patient monitoring devices over the ship’s high-speed network – providing cardiac, respiratory, oxygen saturation and video monitoring capabilities,” the release continued. “The rooms also have bathroom facilities, private balconies with access to sun and fresh air, as well as isolation capabilities, as needed.”

The temporary hospital cruise ships would be berthed at a pier near the community in need and operated by the ship’s crew, with all maritime operations, food, and beverage, and cleaning services provided by crew members on the ship, according to the company. Medical services would be provided by the government entity or hospital responsible for fighting the spread of COVID-19 within that community.

The cruise ships could provide temporary housing, or serve as housing for medical or government workers, in some cases.  The ships also provide a secure environment. Authorities would know who is on the ship at any time and can restrict access and movements relatively easily, compared to a land-based site.

Cruise lines have shown that when there’s a need, they answer the call.  They are once again answering the call and offering to be part of the solution.