Cruise ships stranded at sea seek safe havens

As the cruise industry shuts down for at least a month to play its part in the global fight against coronavirus, there are plenty of passengers still left on board, wondering what will happen next.

The past 10 days have seen virtually all ocean and river cruise lines stalling operations temporarily, but many are still at sea. Among those still seeking safe harbour are Azamara Pursuit and Oceania Cruises’ Marina, which were stopped from disembarking in South America and are now setting sail for Miami, with passengers on board. A complicating factor for ships using the Panama Canal route is that transits are booked far in advance and authorities are having to find extra slots. Hurtigruten’s Roald Amundsen, which found itself stranded off the coast of Chile after an Antarctic cruise, and two Noble Caledonia ships have headed for the Falklands, from where passengers will be flown home.

Holland America Line is working on a plan for Zaandam, off the coast of Chile and Maasdam, sailing in the South Pacific. That had a berth in Hilo, Hawaii, which was then cancelled, the next option being Honolulu.

One travel agent said: “We’re trying to book flights for customers on cruise ships except I don’t know where they’re going to dock, or when, on flights that I don’t know will still operate on the day booked.

It’s like The Krypton Factor, while juggling, blindfolded.”

This week Silversea’s Silver Shadow was being held off the coast of Brazil. Two guests were medically disembarked in Recife, one tested positive for Covid-19, while the other tested negative. Guests were asked to stay in their cabins while the line coordinated with authorities.

World cruises have been dramatically curtailed, too. A 129-day Grand World Voyage of Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam was due to end in Fort Lauderdale on May 12. It will now end in Fremantle, Australia, on March 22. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is crossing the Indian Ocean and heading to Southampton, with an estimated arrival date of April 11.