Holland America Line, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, has deployed one of its ships to deliver coronavirus test kits to its sister ship, the MS Zaandam, which is en route to Port Everglades.
The MS Zaandam’s voyage has continued with 1,829 people on board, including 30 guests and 47 crew members who have reported coronavirus symptoms and have been on the ship since March 14 in Chile.
As all ports along Zaandam’s route are closed to cruise ships, Holland America Line has deployed Rotterdam from Puerto Vallarta to rendezvous with Zaandam and provide extra supplies, staff, COVID-19 test kits and other support as needed. Read more >> https://t.co/ImxkYYkwCT
— Holland America Line (@HALcruises) March 24, 2020
“Holland America Line has deployed Rotterdam to rendezvous with Zaandam and provide extra supplies, staff, COVID-19 test kits and other support as needed,” a representative wrote in a statement.
The officers and crew of Rotterdam came together to thank medical professionals and first responders who are working around the clock, taking care of our friends, neighbors and communities. #WeApplaud #CruiseStrong #WeWillBeBack pic.twitter.com/JxEgRkfMiW
— Holland America Line (@HALcruises) March 23, 2020
Carrying 611 crew and no guests, Rotterdam departed from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Sunday and is scheduled to meet with MS Zaandam’s crew on Thursday evening off the coast of Panama.
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 and the Port Everglades Pilots Association are assessing the situation.
Broward County had 412 confirmed cases of coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, as of Wednesday evening.