A Cole Harbour couple was hoping late Thursday to get off a cruise ship where they’ve been stuck for more than three weeks as COVID-19 ravaged passengers.
Vance and Elaine Arbeau boarded the MS Zaandam in Buenos Aires March 7. Since then, the Holland America Line vessel has been turned away from multiple ports because passengers are sick with COVID-19. Four people have died aboard the Zaandam and hundreds, including Elaine Arbeau, have reported flu-like symptoms.
"We just got word that clearance has been given," Elaine Arbeau said in a text message late Thursday afternoon.
"We are sailing towards Port Everglades."
Their ship was expected to reach the pilot station at the Florida port near Fort Lauderdale at about 4:30 p.m Atlantic Standard Time, and dock about half an hour later.
"That's the latest word for now and that's all we know," Elaine Arbeau said.
A statement issued by Broward County Port Everglades late Thursday said the Port Everglades Unified Command has approved Holland America Line’s repatriation plan for the Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise ships.
"The Port Everglades Unified Command, comprised of federal, state and local partners, worked with Carnival Corp., parent company of Holland America Line, to develop a comprehensive plan for the safe disembarkation of nearly 1,200 passengers from two cruise ships," it said.
"Passengers will return to their homes on Friday and Saturday on chartered flights to domestic and international destinations."
Holland America said the plan involves those fit to fly.
Holland America, thanked state, county, embassy and port officials, President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, for resolving the matter and getting the 1,200 passengers home.
“These travelers could have been any one of us or our families, unexpectedly caught in the middle of this unprecedented closure of global borders that happened in a matter of days and without warning,” Holland America president Orlando Ashford said in the statement.
“We are so happy to be able to get our guests home and assist those few who need additional medical services. The COVID-19 situation is one of the most urgent tests of our shared humanity, and we must do everything we can to ensure we continue to act in ways consistent with our common human dignity. Our guests on board both ships have been truly incredible, and we extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to all of them."
The Arbeaus were elated earlier in the day to learn their voyage was possibly near an end.
“A silver lining this morning at 9:55 -- there was a knock on our door and Vance was handed an envelope with luggage tags, instructions and saying we are okay to move on to the next step which is meeting with Immigration and Customs officials,” Elaine Arbeau said.
“We must then return to the ship. It’s not clear whether we meet with health officials (Thursday). ... We were to pack and put our luggage outside our cabin door. That has been taken to the holding spot.”
The Zaandam was anchored off Florida, outside U.S. waters when they got that knock on the cabin door.
“I don’t dare let my guard down yet,” Elaine Arbeau said Thursday in an interview from the ship.
“We still have to pass medical and all that kind of stuff, but it is looking good.”
She had fever on the ship for about a week, off and on. But that broke Monday. She has not been tested for COVID-19, but does still have a cough. She said Thursday that she thinks she would pass a medical screening. “I feel so much better today.”
The crew told the couple – both in their mid-70s -- to keep enough clothing and toiletries to last for two days.
“We will not see our luggage now until who knows when,” she said.
So they’ve packed a few items of clothing and toothbrushes to get them through the next few days.
“I’m vain; I had to keep my curling iron,” she said.
The couple was under the impression they could meet with U.S. Immigration officials as soon as Thursday. “We just have to wait until we hear word from the captain.”
If they get ashore, the Arbeaus are hoping to catch a flight back to Canada.
She didn't seem to mind the idea of being quarantined on a Canadian military base – as many other Canadians have been -- before returning home, if it comes to that.
“At least it would be a change,” she said.
Passengers have been in lock-down in their cabins since a week ago Sunday.
The cruise ship – which transited the Panama Canal earlier this week -- had been turned away from multiple ports in the Caribbean and South America.
Healthy passengers – including 150 Canadians -- were transferred earlier this week to another Holland America ship, the MS Rotterdam. Nearly 100 Canadians – including one crewmember – remain on the Zandaam. In all, the two ships were carrying more than 1,200 passengers who want to get off in Florida.
What’s the first thing Elaine Arbeau will do when she reaches dry land?
“Get down and kiss it,” she said. “Especially Nova Scotia.”
With files from SaltWire
