Nightmare at sea: Cruise line forces elderly tourists to get off halfway across the globe

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Elderly passengers thought they were in for the cruise of their lives when they boarded Holland America’s Amsterdam at Port Everglades on Jan. 4 for a four-month global tour.

That was before the novel coronavirus sparked a worldwide crisis that has thrown the travel industry into unprecedented upheaval.

Just days after the world’s major cruise lines decided to temporarily suspend all new voyages and wind down ongoing ones, passengers aboard the Amsterdam learned they’ll be forced off the ship nearly two months early — not in Fort Lauderdale where they started, but on the other side of the globe in Fremantle, Australia.

Once off the boat, they’ll be on their own to find ways to fly back home — and they’re not happy about it at all.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/nightmare-at-sea-cruise-line-forces-elderly-tourists-to-get-off-halfway-across-the-globe/ar-BB11mzJj?li=BBnbfcL

That's total bullshit.

[blitzen]

1. If they're smart or lucky, they'll stay in Australia for a while. n/t

[Maraya1969]

4. I would n/t

[jimfields33]

2. A friend of mine is in South Africa

They just pulled in and said get out. She’s staying there until they figure out what’s going on. There’s no communication and airlines? Well they aren’t flying... problem is these are not American ships. They just lease our ports. I’m not even sure our country could demand anything.

[evertonfc]

6. booted off in South Africa?

[jimfields33]

7. Yeah. Ridiculous

The entire ship population. I’ll find out more when she gets back.

[jimfields33]

8. Just googled

https://m.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/coronavirus-relief-as-passengers-stuck-on-cruise-ship-in-cape-town-test-negative-20200318


I thought she said stuck off ship. Looks like stuck on the ship.

[NBachers]

3. At least they didn't drop them off and then just drive away without telling them.

[dalton99a]

5. Fares range from $22,499 to $43,499 per person

According to Holland America’s website, the Amsterdam is a midsize ship with a three-story atrium and room for 1,380 guests.

A 128-night world cruise, similar to the one Georgina and Humberto Cruz are on now, is scheduled to depart Port Everglades on Jan. 4, 2021, and return on May 12. Fares range from $22,499 per person for an interior cabin with no view to $43,499 per person for a balcony suite.

On Tuesday, Amsterdam’s captain, Jonathan Mercer, asked passengers by email to stop agitating to stay on board past the planned debarkation in Australia and to “please cease visiting the Medical Department.”

“Please do not submit any requests or documentation to Guest Services. We very much regret having to make this decision, the health and safety of our guests is of paramount importance. Unfortunately, matters have become such that Medical staff, bound by their Hippocratic Oath, feel intimidated.”