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Coronavirus: Holland America Line cuts short Westerdam cruise

Holland America Line (HAL) has taken the decision to cut short Westerdam’s current cruise due to port restrictions across Asia amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The ship is not in quarantine and the line said it had no reason to believe there are any cases of coronavirus on board.

Passengers will now disembark in Laem Chabang, Thailand, on Thursday rather than in Japanese city Yokohama on Saturday.

All 1,455 passengers on the current sailing will receive a 100% refund, plus 100% future cruise credit.

Complimentary internet and phone access is available for passengers and crew.


More: Coronavirus: Holland America Line ship barred from Japanese ports

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The line has cancelled the ship’s 14-day sailing due to depart from Yokohama on February 15.

The line said it is “assessing the impact of current port restrictions in Asia” on cruises departing on February 29 and beyond.

Currently, Westerdam’s roundtrip sailing, departing Yokohama on February 29 is scheduled to go ahead as planned.

Ports of call include Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Okinawa and Ishigaki all in Japan.

A HAL spokesperson said: “We sincerely thank our guests and the crew on Westerdam and their loved ones for their patience during this extraordinary time.

“We are assessing the impact of current port restrictions in Asia on cruises departing February 29 or later. We will communicate details as they become finalised in the next few days.”

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