Rotterdam class cruise ship MS Zaandam is owned by Carnival Corporation’s subsidiary Holland America Line. Credit: Barek / Wiki Commons.

Visit our Covid-19 microsite for the latest coronavirus news, analysis and updates

Follow the latest updates of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak on our timeline.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Read about the effect of coronavirus (Covid-19) on cruise ships.

US President Donald Trump has recommended the officials of Florida to permit Holland America Line’s Zaandam and sister ship Rotterdam to dock.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that passengers on Zaandam and Rotterdam cannot be ‘dumped’ in the state.

The cruise line said that four people died on Zaandam, while eight others tested positive for Covid-19. Additionally, 76 guests and 117 crew members are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Holland America Line transferred the healthy guests on the Zaandam to the Rotterdam. Zaandam was carrying 1,243 passengers and 586 crew members.

Trump said that he would contact DeSantis regarding the cruise ships.

Trump added: “They are dying on the ship. I am going to do what is right not only for us but for humanity.”

Last week, Zaandam and Rotterdam received permission to pass through the Panama Canal and are on their way Florida. The cruise ships were refused entry to dock by other Latin American countries.

Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford said that response to the cruise ships that are stranded at sea ‘tests our deepest human values’.

Florida is currently creating a plan to decide whether to permit the ship to dock. If authorities do not come to a decision, Washington will be brought into the loop.

Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine said that the decision will be jointly made by US Coast Guard officials, the Broward County sheriff, port authorities, the Florida Health Department and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The ship is expected to arrive at Florida by the night of 2 April.