MIAMI (WTXL) — Three cruise ships carrying more than 100 sick people with flu-like symptoms are heading to South Florida.
According to CNN, the Costa Favolosa and Magica are heading toward Miami. Between the two ships, there are about 30 people aboard with "influenza-like symptoms."
Roger Frizzell, a spokesman for parent company Carnival cruises, told CNN that there are more than 1,000 crew members on the ships, but no passengers. The cruise line is still waiting on official clearance to enter the Port of Miami.
Earlier this week, we reported that Holland America Line intends to dock its ship, Zaandam, in Fort Lauderdale on March 30.
The cruise line says 13 guests and 29 crew members reported to the ship’s medical center with flu-like symptoms on March 22. Out of an abundance of caution, the cruise line says it has asked all of its 1,243 guests to remain in their rooms.
"Zaandam was sailing a South America voyage that departed Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 7 and was originally scheduled to end in San Antonio, Chile, on March 21,” wrote the cruise line. “However, due to global health concerns, Holland America Line made the decision to suspend its global cruise operations for 30 days and end its current cruises in progress as quickly as possible and return guests home.”
Holland America says no one has been off Zaandam since March 14 in Punta Arenas, Chile.
“Our intention is to proceed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for arrival on March 30, however we are still working on securing a reservation to transit the Panama Canal,” wrote the cruise line. “Alternative options are also being developed.”
