NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Ships with people from ill-fated cruise beg Florida to dock

Posted at 9:20 AM, Mar 31, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-31 10:20:38-04

MIAMI (AP) — Two ships carrying passengers and crew from an ill-fated South American cruise are pleading with Florida officials to let them carry off the sick and dead.

The cruise company's plans to dock the Zandaam and Rotterdam at Port Everglades in Broward County have been rebuked by local officials, and Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida's health care resources are already stretched too thin to take the passengers.

Holland America said the Rotterdam took on nearly 1,400 people who appear to be healthy, leaving 450 guests and 602 crew members on the Zaandam, including more than 190 who are sick. More than 300 U.S. citizens are on both ships combined.