Florida reaches deal to allow two cruise ships to dock, passengers to disembark

Holland America Line and Florida officials have reached a deal for the cruise line’s Rotterdam and Zaandam ships to dock in the state, NBC News reported on Thursday citing unnamed sources, adding that the vessels were scheduled to dock at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. (1700 and 1730 GMT).

Not all passengers would be leaving the ships, NBC said, saying 45 severely sick passengers will remain on board. Nine people suspected to have COVID-19 will go to a local hospital while foreign nationals will board buses directly to an airport to board charter planes back to their home countries, NBC said. (Writing by Susan Heavey Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)