- cruise with 2000 people stranded at sea as countries deny docking.
- countries like Japan, Thailand, US all have denied port access to the cruise
- Thailand has provided humanitarian assistance of fuel and food to the ship
- Countries are fearing of coronavirus inspection although no one is ill in the ship
- the cruise liner has removed passengers from mainland China and have said that they will provide a refund to all
- The confused and desperate passenger takes to twitter to keep up their spirits
As the novel coronavirus outbreak became a global health emergency, life at sea is at risk as more and more ships are stranded on an unending voyage without any land in slight. Time magazine reporter Jasmine Aguilera has written about one such cruise which has been sailing at sea with its 2000 odd passengers as countries after countries deny them entry.
What happened?
2,000 passengers and crew aboard the Holland America Line Westerdam are stranded on the open seas. Fears of the novel coronavirus (now officially known as COVID-19) has prompted four different nations and the U.S. territory of Guam to deny them entry despite no one onboard being diagnosed with the illness that has caused global panic.
The Westerdam is the latest cruise to be caught in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak.
On Feb. 6, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the Westerdam, en route from Hong Kong, would not be allowed to dock, according to the AP.
Flickering Hope of Docking?
After being denied entry into Japan, Guam, the Philippines and Taiwan, unnerved vacationers on the Westerdam were initially relieved when the cruise ship’s captain announced on Monday that they’d finally be disembarking in Bangkok, Thailand, on Feb. 13. But the ship is back in limbo after Thailand Public Health Minister Anutin Charnverakul shared on Facebook Monday afternoon that it would not be allowed to dock after all.
AJ@Mountain_AJStill waiting for @HALcruises to verify we are not disembarking Thursday. Everyone onboard is passing around articles that says we aren’t. But no @HALcruises We have less than an hour to cancel our third rearranged flight. Crickets from our ship…really sad #sos #westerdam
Other Ships With Similar Fates
A virus-stricken ship has been under quarantine at the Yokohama Bay in Japan since Feb. 5. At least 174 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Last week, passengers on a World Dream cruise in Hong Kong were held for four days after the company learned that three passengers who had sailed on the vessel earlier were confirmed to have the virus. All passengers were finally allowed to disembark on Monday after testing negative for the virus.
Life in a Quarantined Ship
Country after country has since rejected the Westerdam’s requests to dock for fear that passengers carry COVID-19, despite repeated statements from cruise line officials that there are no known cases of the virus on board and the ship is not under quarantine.
Holland America Line updated their public statement Tuesday after Thailand became the latest country to reject the ship, saying they’re aware of reports regarding the status of the ship’s call to Bangkok and are “actively working this matter.”
Passengers Are Confused and Desperate
“We know this is confusing for our guests and their families and we greatly appreciate their patience,” the company said.
One passenger tweeted this onboard the cruise.
Christina Kerby@ChristinaKerbyI am growing increasingly desperate onboard the ms #Westerdam #cruise. It appears I’m continuing to gain weight despite completely eliminating lunch dessert.
Cruise Liner Declares 100% Refund
What happens next for the passengers remains uncertain. Holland America Line has promised that all guests will be 100% refunded and will receive 100% future cruise credit. The cruise line was expected to launch again for a new cruise from Yokohama on Feb. 15, but it has canceled that trip.
No Guests from Mainland China To Be Allowed
The line has also announced that guests who traveled from or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau or had contact with a suspected case of COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to the scheduled departure would not be permitted onboard any Holland America Line cruises.
“For all of our cruises, we continue to monitor the evolving situation with respect to the coronavirus that originated in mainland China, and our medical experts are coordinating closely with global health authorities to implement enhanced screening, prevention and control measures for our ships globally,” the company announced on Feb. 6.
Humanitarian Assistance Provided
The Thai government announced Tuesday that though the ship could not dock, the country would provide humanitarian assistance, such as fuel and food, according to the AP.
For now, many passengers have shared their experiences on social media, and some have maintained a more optimistic outlook. One passenger, Christina Kerby, has taken up towel folding and has shared jokes about her experience on Twitter.
Passengers Tweet Their Reactions
Christina Kerby@ChristinaKerbyLook what I made! My incredible @HALcruises cabin attendant taught me. I’m going to start leaving these for HIM every night to show the love.
Christina Kerby@ChristinaKerbyHere’s a science fiction plot line for ya. Amidst a global epidemic that wipes out the earth’s population, it’s up to the people aboard one cruise ship- the only safe place on earth- to repopulate the planet. **Passengers onboard the #Westerdam begin eyeing each other nervously**
Others have thanked the crew working on the Westerdam.
Lorraine @lorrain34100On board the #Westerdam thank you @HALcruises considering all that’s going on your staff are just amazing – keeping the spirits going on board
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Time
