This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/us/coronavirus-cruise-zaandam-rotterdam-florida.html

The article has changed 35 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 24 Version 25
Ships With Coronavirus-Stricken Passengers Dock in Florida Ships With Coronavirus-Stricken Passengers Dock in Florida
(8 days later)
KEY WEST, Fla. — The vacation the passengers had imagined, a luxurious two-week voyage along the coast of South America to the southernmost tip of the hemisphere, turned into something else entirely.KEY WEST, Fla. — The vacation the passengers had imagined, a luxurious two-week voyage along the coast of South America to the southernmost tip of the hemisphere, turned into something else entirely.
Four passengers on board died, victims of the coronavirus. Many others began showing flulike symptoms, with nine people winding up in the ship hospital. The rest of the passengers from around the world who booked $3,500 passage on Holland America’s Zaandam spent weeks in limbo, trying to find a port that would offer an end to their horrific, nearly four-week voyage.Four passengers on board died, victims of the coronavirus. Many others began showing flulike symptoms, with nine people winding up in the ship hospital. The rest of the passengers from around the world who booked $3,500 passage on Holland America’s Zaandam spent weeks in limbo, trying to find a port that would offer an end to their horrific, nearly four-week voyage.
After days of debate, Florida finally relented and the ship and a second vessel accompanying it, the Rotterdam, pulled into the dock in Fort Lauderdale late Thursday afternoon.After days of debate, Florida finally relented and the ship and a second vessel accompanying it, the Rotterdam, pulled into the dock in Fort Lauderdale late Thursday afternoon.
“We are able to help the people on board in a humanitarian way and ensure they are able to go home with their families,” Dale Holness, the Broward County mayor, said in announcing the deal. “We are grateful that we were able to find a solution that benefits everyone.”“We are able to help the people on board in a humanitarian way and ensure they are able to go home with their families,” Dale Holness, the Broward County mayor, said in announcing the deal. “We are grateful that we were able to find a solution that benefits everyone.”
With cruise ships widely blamed for spreading an illness the likes of which have not been experienced in a century, Florida officials had worried about the potential consequences. As more ships have come to port with sick passengers and crew members who require hospitalization, local authorities were concerned that accommodating people from outside their cities could strain resources just when hospitals are already experiencing crushing volumes of emergency room patients.With cruise ships widely blamed for spreading an illness the likes of which have not been experienced in a century, Florida officials had worried about the potential consequences. As more ships have come to port with sick passengers and crew members who require hospitalization, local authorities were concerned that accommodating people from outside their cities could strain resources just when hospitals are already experiencing crushing volumes of emergency room patients.
A long day of final negotiations began when the ships arrived three miles off the Florida shore early Thursday, still in international waters.A long day of final negotiations began when the ships arrived three miles off the Florida shore early Thursday, still in international waters.
A team of local, federal, public health and law enforcement authorities determined that the company’s preliminary plan for evacuating the ship was not adequate and initially denied permission for the ship to enter U.S. territory, but allowed the ships to proceed once an agreement for safely evacuating the passengers was approved.A team of local, federal, public health and law enforcement authorities determined that the company’s preliminary plan for evacuating the ship was not adequate and initially denied permission for the ship to enter U.S. territory, but allowed the ships to proceed once an agreement for safely evacuating the passengers was approved.
The debate underscored the challenges that federal officials and the cruise industry have faced in repatriating thousands of people stranded at sea. “We view this as a big, big problem and we do not want to see people dumped in southern Florida right now,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News on Monday.The debate underscored the challenges that federal officials and the cruise industry have faced in repatriating thousands of people stranded at sea. “We view this as a big, big problem and we do not want to see people dumped in southern Florida right now,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News on Monday.
President Trump suggested that compassion was in order.President Trump suggested that compassion was in order.
“They’re dying, so we have to do something, and the governor knows that, too,” Mr. Trump said on Wednesday. “We have to help the people. They are in big trouble.”“They’re dying, so we have to do something, and the governor knows that, too,” Mr. Trump said on Wednesday. “We have to help the people. They are in big trouble.”
Some local authorities in Florida said it was unfair to ask them to provide the solution, instead of having the federal government step in.Some local authorities in Florida said it was unfair to ask them to provide the solution, instead of having the federal government step in.
“Why is this being hurled on the people with the least amount of ability to solve this?” said Michael Udine, a county commissioner.“Why is this being hurled on the people with the least amount of ability to solve this?” said Michael Udine, a county commissioner.
Gregory Tony, the Broward County sheriff, expressed sympathy for the passengers but said he had an obligation to protect residents of his county.Gregory Tony, the Broward County sheriff, expressed sympathy for the passengers but said he had an obligation to protect residents of his county.
“We are the United States of America. We have never turned away people in need or those that are sick,” he said. “But these are very, very critical circumstances.”“We are the United States of America. We have never turned away people in need or those that are sick,” he said. “But these are very, very critical circumstances.”
The explosive spread of the coronavirus has plagued a series of cruise ships that over the past several weeks have been seeking safe harbor as their passengers continue to sicken on board.The explosive spread of the coronavirus has plagued a series of cruise ships that over the past several weeks have been seeking safe harbor as their passengers continue to sicken on board.
The problem first showed up aboard Carnival’s Diamond Princess in Japan, where more than 700 got sick. The Grand Princess had to send its passengers to multiple quarantines around the United States. Carnival evacuated several hundred supposedly healthy Americans and Canadians who were on the Costa Luminosa; they then flew commercial flights home and many promptly got sick. At least one person died.The problem first showed up aboard Carnival’s Diamond Princess in Japan, where more than 700 got sick. The Grand Princess had to send its passengers to multiple quarantines around the United States. Carnival evacuated several hundred supposedly healthy Americans and Canadians who were on the Costa Luminosa; they then flew commercial flights home and many promptly got sick. At least one person died.
The Zaandam left Buenos Aires on March 7 with more than 1,200 passengers on board. Things quickly went wrong. The World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic and Holland America suspended operations; the company expected to disembark its passengers in Chile, but when Chile closed its borders, the ship continued northward. More countries denied it entry.The Zaandam left Buenos Aires on March 7 with more than 1,200 passengers on board. Things quickly went wrong. The World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic and Holland America suspended operations; the company expected to disembark its passengers in Chile, but when Chile closed its borders, the ship continued northward. More countries denied it entry.
Then passengers and crew started getting sick.Then passengers and crew started getting sick.
The vessel headed for Florida, but stalled for a time as Panama initially denied passage through the Panama Canal.The vessel headed for Florida, but stalled for a time as Panama initially denied passage through the Panama Canal.
Holland America announced on Friday that four people had died on board, one each from the United States, Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden. Two of the dead tested positive for the coronavirus, the ship’s owner said.Holland America announced on Friday that four people had died on board, one each from the United States, Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden. Two of the dead tested positive for the coronavirus, the ship’s owner said.
Passengers were largely confined to their cabins, and the days wore on.Passengers were largely confined to their cabins, and the days wore on.
“How many people have to die on this ship waiting for medical care before he does the right thing and allows us to dock?” Andrea Anderson, 62, a passenger from Maineville, Ohio, said of the Florida governor.“How many people have to die on this ship waiting for medical care before he does the right thing and allows us to dock?” Andrea Anderson, 62, a passenger from Maineville, Ohio, said of the Florida governor.
She was in her cabin for 10 days, sharing a single Wi-Fi account with her husband and killing time by making paper airplanes. To limit visits from the ailing crew, passengers had to change their own linens and clean the room themselves. They were not allowed ice.She was in her cabin for 10 days, sharing a single Wi-Fi account with her husband and killing time by making paper airplanes. To limit visits from the ailing crew, passengers had to change their own linens and clean the room themselves. They were not allowed ice.
“Being locked in our cubicle room is definitely having a toll on us,” said Robert Rorison, a passenger from Surrey, British Columbia, before the ship docked. He spent much of the cruise in a 15 foot by 18 foot cabin with no balcony.“Being locked in our cubicle room is definitely having a toll on us,” said Robert Rorison, a passenger from Surrey, British Columbia, before the ship docked. He spent much of the cruise in a 15 foot by 18 foot cabin with no balcony.
Although the illness affected the crew in larger numbers, the employees largely bounced back. Some passengers, most of whom are over the age of 65, did not.Although the illness affected the crew in larger numbers, the employees largely bounced back. Some passengers, most of whom are over the age of 65, did not.
Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America, wrote an open letter accusing nations of turning their backs on the ship, leaving some 2,500 people stranded.Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America, wrote an open letter accusing nations of turning their backs on the ship, leaving some 2,500 people stranded.
“What happens when our supplies run out?” he wrote. “What happened to compassion and help thy neighbor?”“What happens when our supplies run out?” he wrote. “What happened to compassion and help thy neighbor?”
The agreement finally negotiated for evacuating the passengers included protections that exceeded safety procedures laid out by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health, the administration of Port Everglades, the port in Broward County, said in a statement.The agreement finally negotiated for evacuating the passengers included protections that exceeded safety procedures laid out by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health, the administration of Port Everglades, the port in Broward County, said in a statement.
“Healthy passengers will return to their homes on Friday and Saturday on chartered flights to domestic and international destinations,” the statement said.“Healthy passengers will return to their homes on Friday and Saturday on chartered flights to domestic and international destinations,” the statement said.
Updated July 27, 2020 Updated August 3, 2020
Ellen Kennedy, a spokeswoman for Port Everglades, said local authorities hashed out even the smallest of details with the cruise line.Ellen Kennedy, a spokeswoman for Port Everglades, said local authorities hashed out even the smallest of details with the cruise line.
“Disinfecting the luggage — how was that going to be done?” she said. “Who was going to do it? Who are the drivers that are picking people up? What ambulance service are you going to use?”“Disinfecting the luggage — how was that going to be done?” she said. “Who was going to do it? Who are the drivers that are picking people up? What ambulance service are you going to use?”
Holland American is a brand of Carnival, which had initially hoped to send more than 300 passengers on commercial flights. The agreement, however, calls for all of them to fly home on charters paid by the cruise line. All passengers were to receive health screenings.Holland American is a brand of Carnival, which had initially hoped to send more than 300 passengers on commercial flights. The agreement, however, calls for all of them to fly home on charters paid by the cruise line. All passengers were to receive health screenings.
The document shows 14 people are going straight to hospitals, and the rest are going to have their temperature taken to determine whether they are well enough to leave the ship.The document shows 14 people are going straight to hospitals, and the rest are going to have their temperature taken to determine whether they are well enough to leave the ship.
Mr. Ashford thanked the president, the Florida governor and local authorities, who allowed the ships to enter. “These travelers could have been any one of us or our families, unexpectedly caught in the middle of this unprecedented closure of global borders that happened in a matter of days and without warning,” he said in a statement.Mr. Ashford thanked the president, the Florida governor and local authorities, who allowed the ships to enter. “These travelers could have been any one of us or our families, unexpectedly caught in the middle of this unprecedented closure of global borders that happened in a matter of days and without warning,” he said in a statement.
The disembarkation process should be complete by Friday, the company said.The disembarkation process should be complete by Friday, the company said.
William R. Burke, the chief maritime officer of Carnival, said the company brought on a few hundred fast-processing coronavirus tests that have been known to produce false negatives. Even so, nine of the 11 people the company tested came out positive, he said.William R. Burke, the chief maritime officer of Carnival, said the company brought on a few hundred fast-processing coronavirus tests that have been known to produce false negatives. Even so, nine of the 11 people the company tested came out positive, he said.
The company initially said that nearly 200 people were sick with flulike symptoms, but later said that figure was “cumulative.” Just 14 people were ill, Mr. Burke said on Tuesday.The company initially said that nearly 200 people were sick with flulike symptoms, but later said that figure was “cumulative.” Just 14 people were ill, Mr. Burke said on Tuesday.
More than half the passengers, those who had no symptoms, were transferred over the weekend from the Zaandam to the Rotterdam. The ships had been traveling together since.More than half the passengers, those who had no symptoms, were transferred over the weekend from the Zaandam to the Rotterdam. The ships had been traveling together since.
Once they arrived off the coast of Florida, a team of local, federal, public health, port and law enforcement authorities determined the company’s initial plan for evacuating the ship was not adequate and denied permission for the ship to enter U.S. waters.Once they arrived off the coast of Florida, a team of local, federal, public health, port and law enforcement authorities determined the company’s initial plan for evacuating the ship was not adequate and denied permission for the ship to enter U.S. waters.
The ships were traveling with six doctors and nine nurses aboard the two vessels, Mr. Burke said. “We have the right equipment to try to nurse these people back to health. It is our intent to do just that, rather than rely on the local community, unless we get beyond our own capability.”The ships were traveling with six doctors and nine nurses aboard the two vessels, Mr. Burke said. “We have the right equipment to try to nurse these people back to health. It is our intent to do just that, rather than rely on the local community, unless we get beyond our own capability.”
Before the ships docked, company officials had said that dozens of people had recovered, but 45 people were not well enough to travel and would remain on board.Before the ships docked, company officials had said that dozens of people had recovered, but 45 people were not well enough to travel and would remain on board.
The Coast Guard issued a notice this week that all foreign-flagged cruise ships carrying more than 50 people must be prepared to care for any sick passengers and crew members at sea for an “indefinite period of time” or to seek medical assistance from other countries during the coronavirus pandemic.The Coast Guard issued a notice this week that all foreign-flagged cruise ships carrying more than 50 people must be prepared to care for any sick passengers and crew members at sea for an “indefinite period of time” or to seek medical assistance from other countries during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement Thursday, Mr. Udine, the county commissioner, said he tried but failed to have the passengers quarantined on a Navy base or one of the company’s private islands, or at a port outside Florida’s coronavirus “hot zone.”In a statement Thursday, Mr. Udine, the county commissioner, said he tried but failed to have the passengers quarantined on a Navy base or one of the company’s private islands, or at a port outside Florida’s coronavirus “hot zone.”
“The cruise company wanted to just drop people off and let them fly home,” he said.“The cruise company wanted to just drop people off and let them fly home,” he said.
Senator Rick Scott of Florida also said that all the passengers should be held in quarantine and tested. But federal health officials stressed that they would no longer be holding cruise ship passengers in quarantine.Senator Rick Scott of Florida also said that all the passengers should be held in quarantine and tested. But federal health officials stressed that they would no longer be holding cruise ship passengers in quarantine.
“That was earlier in the pandemic,” Dr. Cindy Friedman, a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cruise ship task force, told Broward County commissioners earlier this week. What asymptomatic passengers need, she said, is a mask and to go straight home.“That was earlier in the pandemic,” Dr. Cindy Friedman, a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cruise ship task force, told Broward County commissioners earlier this week. What asymptomatic passengers need, she said, is a mask and to go straight home.
The deal finally negotiated offered legal assurances, safeguards and hospital care at the company’s expense, Mr. Udine said.The deal finally negotiated offered legal assurances, safeguards and hospital care at the company’s expense, Mr. Udine said.
Local officials had few choices, said Nan H. Rich, a Broward County commissioner. “Are we going to let the ship float out to sea and let the people die?”Local officials had few choices, said Nan H. Rich, a Broward County commissioner. “Are we going to let the ship float out to sea and let the people die?”