With all cruises halted for the time being, cruise lines are working on safely returning crew members to their home countries.
Holland America Line gave an update on their repatriation plan to get their crew members home. The cruise line said that due to country closures, port closure and travel restrictions this process has evolved into a challenging and complex endeavor.
Holland America Line has successfully repatriated a couple thousand crew working together with other Carnival Corporation cruise ships and chartered flights.
All non-working Canada and United States crew members have returned home. Also, many Asian, African, European, Central and South American crew members have been able to return home. Holland America is using cruise ships and chartered flights to get the remaining crew home.
Currently, the following Holland America Line ships have completed repatriation efforts or are repatriating crew members and their locations are as follows:
ASIA:
- Maasdam, Noordam and Westerdam are en route to the Philippines.
- Westerdam will continue onto Indonesia.
- Eurodam and Amsterdam are in the Manila Bay area in the Philippines.
- Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam, Rotterdam, Zuiderdam and Veendam are transiting to Asia via ports in southern Africa.
AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN:
- Koningsdam is at anchor at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where efforts are underway to secure transportation home for a number of teammates.
- Oosterdam is at anchor at La Paz, Mexico, in minimum operating manning and will move closer to Panama in the coming days.
EUROPE:
- Zaandam and Nieuw Statendam have brought several crew home to Europe and are at anchor in Scheveningen, the Netherlands, under minimum operating manning.
All Holland America cruise ships are observing proper health protection practices including wearing a mask when needed and social distancing while working or at leisure about the ship.
The cruise line expects the majority of crew repatriation to be completed by the middle of June. A small group of paid staff will stay on each ship to maintain essential operations of the vessels.
