Holland America said its Westerdam cruise ship, which has been rejected by about a half-dozen countries over fears of the mysterious new virus that has ravaged parts of China, will be able to dock at a port in Cambodia.
“All approvals have been received and we are extremely grateful to the Cambodian authorities for their support,” the firm wrote, adding that the cruise will dock in Sihanoukville. Passengers will then disembark before being transferred via chartered flights to the country’s capital, Phnom Penh, paid for by Holland America.
The cruise ship has been rejected by Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and the U.S. territory of Guam, but Holland America said there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus, known as COVID-19, on the Westerdam. There were fears that the vessel could run out of food and supplies as it searched for a port to dock.
In its statement, Holland America reiterated that “all guests on board are healthy and despite erroneous reports, there are no known or suspected cases of coronavirus on board, nor have [there] ever been.” The Westerdam has about 2,200 people on board, including passengers and crew members.
The ship’s captain also confirmed the latest plan to dock in Cambodia.
Holland America said that a full refund will be offered to passengers on the Westerdam. Flights home will also be covered by the firm.
After Thai authorities rejected the ship, some passengers on the Westerdam started sending messages to President Donald Trump on Twitter. Accounts belonging to Vice President Mike Pence and Pence’s chief of staff Marc Short were also targeted.
“Mr. President I am on the Westerdam ship floating in the China sea. I am an American. No country including Guam will allow us to dock,” one person, who said he was on the ship, wrote on the social media website.