Queensland couple Paul and Coralie Williamson will spend the next fortnight confined to their cabin aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan amid a coronavirus outbreak that has struck down 20 people so far.

Key points: There are a total of 3,711 people on board, including 223 Australians

There are a total of 3,711 people on board, including 223 Australians Health officials were testing people who had shown symptoms such as fevers

Health officials were testing people who had shown symptoms such as fevers Health checks began after an 80-year-old Hong Kong man tested positive for coronavirus

The pair, from the Sunshine Coast, are just two of thousands now in mandatory quarantine.

While their health is fine, they face a major mental challenge surviving in the cramped space.

"It's got an ensuite, but we can't both walk past the end of the bed at the same time, so, you know, it is smaller than a motel room," Ms Williamson said.

However, the pair consider themselves the lucky ones as their room boasts a balcony and fresh air, while others on board have no windows at all.

The Williamsons are rationing the films they watch for the long stretch ahead. ( Facebook: Paul Williamson )

The couple have been kept informed through broadcasts made every few hours, but they first learned about the outbreak through the media.

"It is surreal, it's quite bizarre," Mr Williamson, a former school principal, said.

Six different nationalities are on board but broadcasts have only been done in English and Japanese, meaning the information has not been directly filtered through to everyone.

The Williamsons' room has a balcony, but others have no windows. ( Supplied: Paul Williamson )

"There are a lot of people — for example those who got on in Hong Kong — who don't speak English, so they must be feeling very isolated," Ms Williamson said.

Thursday's menu card was an improvement from previous days, Ms Williamson said. ( Supplied )

Ms Williamson said they were going "stir crazy".

Passengers have been unable to interact with one another, with the only outside human contact coming from staff members delivering food to the rooms.

"You can sometimes hear when food is getting delivered that people are getting upset about not having medication and about not getting information," she said.

A lack of fresh food and irregular hours of delivery have also added to the challenging situation many on board are facing.

Breakfast is not being delivered until 10:00am and dinner comes after 9:00pm, a trying situation for Ms Williamson who is a self-professed "foodie".

She said fresh food had not been on the menu since January 20, but things were turning around and food supplies were expected to be picked up from the mainland on Thursday.

While it takes the term cabin fever to another level, the Williamsons are finding innovative ways to keep themselves occupied.

"We've both got Fitbits so we're trying to get our steps going and doing some stretches and those sorts of physical things, as well as trying to come up with a bit of a routine [for] our entertainment," Mr Williamson said.

They are rationing their movie stash and planning to document their experiences on the inside.

"Already we're forgetting what day things happen, so we've got a bit of a diary going now, so that will keep us busy," Mr Williamson said.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 38 seconds 38 s Those who have become ill on the Diamond Princess have been taken ashore to local hospitals.

After 34 years of marriage, it's a test the pair say they will take in their stride.

"If I'm going be stuck in a room with anyone I would rather it be Paul than anyone else," Ms Williamson said.

"So it's OK. We will need to go for a long walk on the beach when we get home to the coast."

Aun Na Tan with her kids Xander Soh (left) and Kaitlyn Soh in their cabin on the Diamond Princess. ( Supplied: Aun Na Tan )

Melbourne resident Aun Na Tan is also on board with her husband and two kids.

She said they were safe and comfortable in their cabin.

"So far, we are being asked to remain in our rooms, so we haven't seen anyone else other than the crew supporting us by bringing our food, bottles of water and soft drinks and taking rubbish away," Ms Tan said.

"We've heard some irate people verbally harassing the crew, but it is out of their hands.

The family, from Melbourne, were "trying to stay positive" while confined to their cabin. ( Supplied: Aun Na Tan )

"I believe they are trying their best in this situation to assist us where they can.

"Our family is trying to stay positive and calm in this time."

Almost 4,000 passengers are in lockdown on the Diamond Princess, with 10 people — including two Australians — testing positive for the virus on Wednesday and a further 10 people testing positive on Thursday.

The latest 10 passengers who tested positive include four people from Japan, one from Taiwan, two Americans, two Canadians and one from New Zealand.

The view from the Diamond Princess, which is in lockdown for 14 days. ( Supplied: Paul Williamson )

Jeremy Fernandez will host a 30-minute special on coronavirus on Friday, February 7 from 7.30pm AEDT on the ABC News Channel, featuring a guest panel, explainers on how the virus unfolded and myth-busting the misinformation. The special will be repeated on ABC TV at 10:00pm.