All coronavirus testing for Holland America Line’s Westerdam is complete, the cruise line reports. The Cambodian Ministry of Health has confirmed that all 747 of the ship’s crew have tested negative for the virus, following yesterday’s announcement that the 781 guests remaining in Cambodia tested negative and were cleared to begin their travels home.
Holland America said that the ship will remain alongside in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, for “a few more days” until its future itinerary is finalized. The ship’s next sailing, which had been scheduled for February 29, has been cancelled, with further sailings still under review by the cruise line. Guests on the cancelled cruise have been offered a full refund, a 50 percent future cruise credit and reimbursement of cancellation fees.
Twenty-five members of the ship’s crew who were originally scheduled to disembark February 15 at the end of their work contracts will now be able to begin their travels home. The remaining crew will stay onboard to continue their work contracts.
The Westerdam had docked in the Port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Friday, after it had been turned away from several ports due to concerns regarding the coronavirus. The ship had been sailing a 14-day itinerary out of Hong Kong that departed February 1.
According to the latest situation report from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently over 75,200 cases of the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, in 26 countries worldwide. There have been 2,006 people killed by the illness thus far, three of whom were outside of China.
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