The ms Zaandam which now has 77 people onboard with flu-like symptoms is taking on supplies after being denied at ports.
Zaandam to Meet Another Holland America Cruise Ship
Holland America Line has been dealing with bringing the Zaandam cruise ship back to the United States but it hasn’t gone to plan. At the moment there are a total of 77 people onboard who have reported to the medical center having flu-like symptoms. 30 guests and 47 crew members have come down with illness and as a result, all guests are being told to remain in their staterooms as a precaution.
You can read our previous post about the Zaandam being denied at ports right here.
To provide Zaandam with much-needed supplies Holland America has deployed Rotterdam to rendevous with the ship. In addition to supplies will be COVID-19 test kids so all those with symptoms can be tested before arriving back in the U.S.
Rotterdam which is carrying 611 crew members and no guests departed Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on March 22 at 3:00 PM. The two ships will meet off the Panama coast on the evening of March 26. Rotterdam will also provide any support needed for Zaandam which has 1,243 passengers and 586 crew members.
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) protocols, the cruise ship is making sure the ill persons have been isolated, maximum sanitation levels are in place and any crew not needed to cater to guests also being under quarantine.
Zaandam was sailing a South America itinerary which departed Buenos Aires, Argentina on March 7. With Holland America Line suspending operations for at least 30 days the plan is to bring the ship back home. Guests were last allowed to go ashore during the vessel’s final scheduled call in Punta Arenas, Chile on March 14.
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Zaandam took on supplies while anchored at Valparaiso, Chile from March 20 – 21 and does have enough fuel to sail back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where the ship is expected to arrive on March 20. However, the final plans are still being arranged and the cruise line will need to have the sail transit the Panama Canal.
If there are any confirmed cases of COVID-19 onboard the ship could also go into further quarantine once its arrival in Florida. The cruise port posted the following statement:
Port Everglades officials are monitoring the progress of Holland America Line’s cruise ship Zaandam, which is sailing from South America with 1,234 passengers aboard including 305 U.S. citizens and 247 Canadians.
Any decision by Broward County Government on whether to allow the ship to enter Port Everglades will be determined as more information is available in consultation with a Unified Command made up of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Port Everglades Pilots Association and Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Cruise Hive will keep readers updated on this developing story. Let’s hope everyone gets back safely. Included in the guest numbers are 305 U.S. citizens and 247 Canadians.
