Coronavirus and the Florida Tourist Industry: Holland America ships dock in Florida, debarkation plan - "following considerable diplomatic pressure" - by Morgan Hines and Jayme Deerwester

After finally reaching a deal with authorities, Holland America was allowed to dock two of its ships at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday.

Port Everglades traffic records confirmed the arrival of MS Zaandam and sister ship MS Rotterdam after 5 p.m. local time.

Photos showed critically ill people being transferred from the Zaandam to waiting ambulances. The sick and local residents are the only ones leaving Port Everglades on Thursday, a Holland America document outlining the disembarkation plan showed.

The Zaandam and the Rotterdam, which rendezvoused last week, were both given permission to disembark passengers at Port Everglades after days of negotiation with local officials who feared it would divert needed resources from a region that has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases.

"We were made privy of the details yesterday, and we’re hopeful that this new protocol that they’ve agreed to will sufficiently insulate our people in Fort Lauderdale at risk of (contracting) the disease," Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis told USA TODAY earlier on Thursday.

The remains of four elderly passengers who died on the Zaandam were also scheduled for removal Thursday evening.  Two of the four deaths on board the Zaandam have been blamed on COVID-19, and nine people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the cruise line said.

Between the Zaandam and Rotterdam a total of 107 passengers and 143 crew members have presented flu-like symptoms since March 22, according to a Holland America statement provided by spokesperson Sally Andrews.

In a Thursday statement, Holland America expressed relief that a deal had finally been struck, ending the ships' saga, which began in mid-March when Chile denied the MS Zaandam permission to end the cruise there.

“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,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.

Ashford continued, "We are so happy to be able to get our guests home and assist those few who need additional medical services. The COVID-19 situation is one of the most urgent tests of our shared humanity, and we must do everything we can to ensure we continue to act in ways consistent with our common human dignity."

The ships are carrying 311 Americans and 52 Florida residents, with the largest numbers coming  from Canada, the EU, and and several other non-us countries.

Note EU-Digest: "Informed sources reported that there was a lot of diplomatic pressure  put on the Florida Governor by the Netherlands Government  (home port of the two ships), and Governments of other countries, which had passengers on board  the Zaandam and the Rotterdam. Apparently even President Trump was involved at one point, in the decision to let the passengers disembark in Fort Lauderdale. Not allowing the passengers disembark in Fort Lauderdale would have caused irreparable damage to the image of the Florida Tourist and cruise industry".

Read more: Coronavirus: Holland America ships dock in Florida, debarkation plan

The Netherlands - US Relations: Florida governor: sick passengers on cruise ship cannot be 'dumped' here "as a result Fort Lauderdale could be branded world-wide as an inhumane tourist destination"

The Florida Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, has said passengers on a coronavirus-stricken cruise trip cannot be “dumped” in his state, casting further doubt over where two vessels carrying hundreds of people will be a two vessels carrying hundreds of people will be allowed to dock.

Two people have tested positive for the disease and dozens are ill with flu-like symptoms on the Zaandam luxury cruise liner, which has not been able to dock after several Latin American countries closed their ports in response to the global pandemic.

Hundreds of North American, Australia, Dutch and British citizens are in isolation in their rooms and a boat-to-boat operation is underway to move some healthy travellers to a sister ship, the Rotterdam, over the weekend.

But there are fears that sick, elderly passengers and crew members will be left stranded at sea during a global pandemic, with some on board isolating in small, humid cabins with no natural light or fresh air.
Holland America Line, which owns the cruise ship, confirmed on Friday that four elderly passengers had died onboard. It is not clear whether they died after catching Covid-19.

“Unfortunately, four of our fellow guests have passed away – one last night, two yesterday and one a few days ago,” the ship’s captain Captain Jan Smit said in an announcement, which was obtained by The Guardian. “We are still seeing both guests and crew with symptoms reporting to the medical center. The situation continues to grow more challenging each day.”

Both ships are presently on their way to Fort Lauderdale.

Note EU-Digest: Both Ships - the Zaandam and the Rotterdam use Fort Lauderdale as their cruise base and all passengers on the ships boarded in Fort Lauderdale before any US travel restriction were issued. 

Florida  Governor Ron DeSantis better realize that if he does not allow all passengers of these cruise ships to disembark in Fort Lauderdale, so they can be properly taken care of and treated, that Florida will be branded around the world as an inhumane tourist destination.  

EU-Digest

The Netherlands: Holland America Line Commemorates Its 140th Anniversary At Keukenhof Gardens In The Netherlands

Keukenhof and Holland America Line celebrate anniversary

In celebration of its 140th anniversary, an official christening of the new Holland America Line "Signature" tulip took place in the Netherlands last month at the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. President and CEO of Holland America Line Stein Kruse participated in the ceremony along with the President of the Board of Directors of Keukenhof Walter Jansen and Master Grower Jan Pennings.

A white-petal variety with delicate fringed petals was chosen to honor the company that was founded at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, April 18, 1873, as a trans-Atlantic cargo and passenger shipping company. 

Today the company's fleet of 15 premium cruise ships sails more than 500 cruises on all seven continents.

"Holland America Line has a deep connection to the Netherlands, and to have a tulip named especially for our company is a true honor," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. "I can't imagine a more appropriate way to celebrate our 140th anniversary than to christen our tulip in the world's most beautiful and famous gardens." 

In a ceremony last year, Holland America Line "Signature" tulip bulbs were handed over from the grower near the windmill at Keukenhof that Holland America donated in 1957. In December, bulbs were planted at the cruise line's Seattle headquarters and its Southampton, England, office. In addition to collaborating with the gardens to develop the tulip, Holland America Line also participated in the annual Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade on April 19 and 20. The line last participated in the parade in 1948 when the company entered a 35-foot flower float modeled on s.s. Westerdam that was awarded first place. 

Known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof is the world's largest flower garden, located in Lisse, the Netherlands. Approximately 7 million flower bulbs of 1,600 varieties are planted annually at the park. The Keukenhof is only open for two months each year, from March 21 through May 20, and attracts more than 800,000 visitors from around the world. For more information visit: http://www.keukenhof.nl.

EU-Digest

Holland America Line's Fall Europe Cruises Feature Exciting Itineraries, Exceptional Values

This fall, Holland America Line is offering an extensive selection of cruises that explore ports of call that span from Turkey to the Canary Islands and across the Atlantic. Setting sail after the bustling summer months, these idyllic itineraries showcase the best of the region at a beautiful time of year.

Ranging from a 7-night Mediterranean cruise to a grand 42-night trans-Atlantic journey, the fall favorites feature port-intensive itineraries, overnight calls and plenty of time to explore on one of Holland America Line's exciting shore excursions. 

"Fall is a wonderful time of year to visit Europe because the temperatures are cooler and the summer crowds have diminished," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programs. "It is also an opportunity to enjoy an extended European holiday at a great value."

EU-Digest