PORT EVERGLADES, FLA. (WSVN) - A cruise ship that was thrown off its course by the novel coronavirus has been cleared to dock after two crew members tested negative for the virus.
The Caribbean Princess returned to Port Everglades, Wednesday morning.
The ship was on a 10-day cruise to the Panama Canal when a no sail order was issued.
Passengers said the cruise staff did all they could to make their stay enjoyable and calm any concerns they had.
“Well, there was a question there for several days,” Steve Schilke said. “They said, ‘We don’t know if we’re going to get off the ship or not.'”
“We had so many wash stations and sanitizing stations, and everything was so clean,” said Sharon Schilke. “There was no concern.”
“When we went to Cayman, we couldn’t get off, and they flew two kits in,” said Barney Thompson. “They tested them there and brought the kits back, and then when they got back to Miami I guess they let us know.”
Sunday night, the Center For Disease Control and Prevention ordered two crew members to be tested for COVID-19 after learning that they had transferred from the Grand Princess in California.
“I’m glad they were cautious and did what they needed to do to make sure we were safe,” said Schilke.
The Grand Princess was held off the coast for days before finally pulling into the Port of Oakland. Tests revealed that 21 people aboard had come down with the virus.
“We understood the situation. It was out of their hands, and they did everything they could,” said passenger Deb Bayless.
Jeff Rahall of All Star Tours told 7News some of the precautions they took to prevent the spread of the virus, such as wearing gloves around the port.
“We’re going inside the vehicle. We’re spraying them down with Lysol,” he said. “It’s just going to be common sense from now on. It’s going to be a long time before this is going to be over with.”
As for passengers of the Caribbean Princess, they arrived in a county that is currently under a state of emergency. Broward County officials announced the state of emergency Tuesday after a fourth case was confirmed in the county.
“Why is that important to us?” said Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry. “It opens up resources from the state.”
These resources include cleaning supplies from the state that are used at the port, government buildings and polling locations.
Three of the four patients were linked to a company known as Metro Cruise Services, which was subcontracted by the cruise line. A port spokesperson said the Princess cruise line was the only one that used the company and has since changed to a different contractor.
Anthony Newman, the president of Metro Cruise Services, released a statement that read in part: “We were unaware that any of our part-time employees were sick until we were notified by the authorities. We then immediately notified all of our Port Everglades employees that one of their associates had tested positive and advised them that, if they have any symptoms, they should seek medical assistance and not report to work. We are assisting all relevant governmental agencies with their inquiries and instructions. The health and safety of our workforce and those they encounter remain our top priority.”
Citing a lack of labor, the next Caribbean Princess cruise has been cancelled. Port officials said the ship does not have the staffing to set sail.
Princess Cruise Lines is refunding passengers and telling them in a letter, “We share in the disappointment of those booked guests, and we look forward to welcoming them back on a future Princess voyage.”
However, when the next cruise will depart has yet to be determined.
The Florida Department of Health advises anyone who has been through the port and are exhibiting symptoms to be tested.
If you need to reach out the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, the number is 954-467-4700, or you can reach out to your own healthcare provider.
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