window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/travelweekly.com.au\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.7.2"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(i,n){var o,s,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),r=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===r[t]})}function u(e,t,n){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3","\ud83c\uddfa\u200b\ud83c\uddf3")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!n(e,"\ud83d\udc26\u200d\u2b1b","\ud83d\udc26\u200b\u2b1b")}return!1}function f(e,t,n){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):i.createElement("canvas"),a=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(a.textBaseline="top",a.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){o[e]=t(a,e,n)}),o}function t(e){var t=i.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,i.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",s=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){i.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(s),u.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=f(s,u,p))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings);
var breeze_prefetch = {"local_url":"https:\/\/travelweekly.com.au","ignore_remote_prefetch":"1","ignore_list":["\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/TW_LOGO_TW.svg","\/newsletter_adnewrightads_feed\/","\/newsletter_articletestnew_feed\/","\/newsletter_adnewmidsingleads_feed\/","\/newsletter_adnew_feed\/","\/newsletter_adnewmiddlebreakads_feed\/","\/newsletter_adnewrightadsnibbler_feed\/","\/newsletter_adnewmidsingleadsnibbler_feed\/","wp-admin","wp-login.php"]};
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/plugins/breeze/assets/js/js-front-end/breeze-prefetch-links.min.js
window.gamData = { "gamKV": { "pagetype": "article", "site": "travel", "section": "news", "postid": "649875", "category": ['Cruise',], "tags": ['coronavirus','diamond princess','holland america line','princess cruises','Westerdam',] } }
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { var sizemapping1 = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([500, 0], []). addSize([0, 0], [320, 50]). build(); var sizemapping2 = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([980, 0], [970, 250]). addSize([740, 0], [728, 90]). addSize([0, 0], [320, 50]). build(); var sizemapping3 = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([750, 0], [1, 1]). addSize([0, 0], []). build(); // Extract article title from url getPageURL = window.location.pathname; pageURLArray = getPageURL.split('/'); pageURL = ''; while (pageURLArray.length > 0 && pageURL == '') { pageURL = pageURLArray.pop(); } // Set page-level key-values and GPT settings googletag.pubads().setTargeting('title', [pageURL]); if (window.gamData.gamKV) { Object.keys(window.gamData.gamKV).forEach(function(key) { googletag.pubads().setTargeting(key, window.gamData.gamKV[key]); }); } googletag.defineSlot('/41582723/travel2023/category/article', [1, 1], 'skin').defineSizeMapping(sizemapping3).setTargeting('pos', ['skin']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/41582723/travel2023/category/article', [320, 50], 'sticky').defineSizeMapping(sizemapping1).setTargeting('pos', ['sticky']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/41582723/travel2023/category/article', [[728, 90],[970, 250],[320, 50]], 'topunit').defineSizeMapping(sizemapping2).setTargeting('pos', ['topunit']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().setCentering(true); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); });
Travel WeeklyTravel WeeklyTravel Weekly
  • Aviation
  • Cruise
  • Destinations
Search
  • Aviation
  • Cruise
  • Destinations
  • Hotels
  • Road & Rail
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel Agents
  • Wholesalers
  • Midweek Interview
  • Partner Content
  • Events
  • Discover
  • Latest News
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Women in Travel Awards
  • Travel DAZE
  • The Travel Awards
© 2025 The Misfits Media Company Pty Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Quarantined cruise passengers begin journey home, as coronavirus spreads to the Middle East
Share
Subscribe
Sign In
Travel WeeklyTravel Weekly
Search
  • Aviation
  • Cruise
  • Destinations
  • Hotels
  • Road & Rail
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel Agents
  • Wholesalers
  • Midweek Interview
  • Partner Content
  • Events
  • Discover
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Women in Travel Awards
  • Travel DAZE
  • The Travel Awards
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Principles
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Advertise With Us
© 2025 The Misfits Media Company Pty Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Travel Weekly > Cruise > Quarantined cruise passengers begin journey home, as coronavirus spreads to the Middle East
Cruise

Quarantined cruise passengers begin journey home, as coronavirus spreads to the Middle East

alexandra
Published on: 20th February 2020 at 12:34 PM
alexandra
Share
2 Min Read
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA - November 18, 2012: MS Westerdam docked in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the third ship of the class to be operated by the Vista Class.
SHARE

Diamond Princess and Westerdam have disembarked their remaining passengers, ending almost a month in limbo amid coronavirus fears.

Princess Cruises has confirmed the embassies of Canada, Australia and Hong Kong have chartered flights out of Japan for their respective citizens who remained onboard the ship, with the Australian flight departing in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The disembarkation of passengers who are not taking repatriation flights also started yesterday and will take place over several days as they will need to be tested for the virus which can take two-three days to complete.

The cruise line said it will offer travel assistance to passengers who contracted the virus on the cruise upon their recovery.

Around 612 passengers and crew members tested positive for coronavirus, according to ABC News. 

Upon landing in Darwin, the Australian passengers will face a further 14 days in isolation at the Howard Springs facility.

Holland America Line has also confirmed all the remaining passengers on board Westerdam have been cleared to travel after testing negative for coronavirus.

The results provide final clearance for the passengers to begin their journey home, with the cruise line working to finalise arrangements.

The ship will remain alongside in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, for at least a few more days until testing is complete on the 747 crew members on board.

This comes as two Iranians have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the city of Qom, marking the first reported deaths from the virus in the Middle East. According to ABC News, Iran is the 28th country or territory to report an infection, adding to the 75,000 people globally.

SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR FREE
Sign up to receive a subscription to the Travel Weekly daily email newsletter incorporating Travel Today
TAGGED:coronavirusdiamond princessholland america lineprincess cruisesWesterdam
Share

Latest News

Intrepid push into boutique accommodation with 20 global venues in next three years
May 16, 2025
Six Senses unveils Six Senses Fiji.
Six Senses unveils Six Senses Fiji, a luxurious escape on Malolo Island in the Mamanuca archipelago
May 16, 2025
Cebu Pacific planes on the tarmac
Cebu Pacific offers discounted flights to the Philippines
May 16, 2025
CT Partners announces Singapore as destination for 2025 Annual Conference.
CT Partners confirms Singapore as new destination for 2025 Annual Conference
May 16, 2025
//

The Travel Weekly is the hub of our digital offering.

About TW

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Principles
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Advertise With Us

Top Categories

  • Aviation
  • Cruise
  • Destinations
  • Hotels
  • Road & Rail
  • Tourism
  • Travel Agents

Sign Up for Our Newsletter



Travel WeeklyTravel Weekly
Follow US
© 2025 The Misfits Media Company Pty Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

Not a member? Sign Up
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('skin'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('topunit'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/41582723/travel2023/home', [300, 250],'mrec3') .addService(googletag.pubads()) .setTargeting('pos', ['mrec3']) googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({fetchMarginPercent: 50,renderMarginPercent: 0,mobileScaling: 2.0}); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display('mrec3'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/41582723/travel2023/home', [300, 250],'mrec3') .addService(googletag.pubads()) .setTargeting('pos', ['mrec6']) googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({fetchMarginPercent: 50,renderMarginPercent: 0,mobileScaling: 2.0}); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display('mrec6'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/41582723/travel2023/category/article', [300, 250],'endarticlemrec') .addService(googletag.pubads()) .setTargeting('pos', ['endarticlemrec']) //googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({fetchMarginPercent: 50,renderMarginPercent: 0,mobileScaling: 2.0}); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display('endarticlemrec'); });
var timeout=100; if(window.innerWidth<=500) timeout=10000; setTimeout(function(){ jQuery(window).resize(); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/41582723/travel2023/category/article', [300, 250],'mrec1') .addService(googletag.pubads()) .setTargeting('pos', ['mrec1']) // googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({fetchMarginPercent: 50,renderMarginPercent: 0,mobileScaling: 2.0}); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display('mrec1'); }); } , timeout);
googletag.cmd.push(function() { var sizemapping5 = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([980, 0], [[300, 250],[300, 600]]). addSize([0, 0], [300, 250]). build(); googletag.defineSlot('/41582723/travel2023/category/article', [[300, 250],[300, 600]],'mrec2') .addService(googletag.pubads()) .defineSizeMapping(sizemapping5) .setTargeting('pos', ['mrec2']) googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({fetchMarginPercent: 50,renderMarginPercent: 0,mobileScaling: 2.0}); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display('mrec2'); });
(function () { const yesStorage = () => { let storage; try { storage = window['localStorage']; storage.setItem('__rbStorageSet', 'x'); storage.removeItem('__rbStorageSet'); return true; } catch { return false; } }; const readingSize = yesStorage() ? sessionStorage.getItem('rubyResizerStep') || '' : '1'; if (readingSize) { const body = document.querySelector('body'); switch (readingSize) { case '2': body.classList.add('medium-entry-size'); break; case '3': body.classList.add('big-entry-size'); break; } } })();
const lazyloadRunObserver = () => { const lazyloadBackgrounds = document.querySelectorAll( `.e-con.e-parent:not(.e-lazyloaded)` ); const lazyloadBackgroundObserver = new IntersectionObserver( ( entries ) => { entries.forEach( ( entry ) => { if ( entry.isIntersecting ) { let lazyloadBackground = entry.target; if( lazyloadBackground ) { lazyloadBackground.classList.add( 'e-lazyloaded' ); } lazyloadBackgroundObserver.unobserve( entry.target ); } }); }, { rootMargin: '200px 0px 200px 0px' } ); lazyloadBackgrounds.forEach( ( lazyloadBackground ) => { lazyloadBackgroundObserver.observe( lazyloadBackground ); } ); }; const events = [ 'DOMContentLoaded', 'elementor/lazyload/observe', ]; events.forEach( ( event ) => { document.addEventListener( event, lazyloadRunObserver ); } );
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.form.min.js
var foxizCoreParams = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/travelweekly.com.au\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","darkModeID":"RubyDarkMode","cookieDomain":"","cookiePath":"\/"};
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/plugins/foxiz-core/assets/core.js
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-includes/js/dist/hooks.min.js
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-includes/js/dist/i18n.min.js
wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } ); wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } );
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/swv/js/index.js
( function( domain, translations ) { var localeData = translations.locale_data[ domain ] || translations.locale_data.messages; localeData[""].domain = domain; wp.i18n.setLocaleData( localeData, domain ); } )( "contact-form-7", {"translation-revision-date":"2024-03-18 08:28:25+0000","generator":"GlotPress\/4.0.1","domain":"messages","locale_data":{"messages":{"":{"domain":"messages","plural-forms":"nplurals=2; plural=n != 1;","lang":"en_AU"},"Error:":["Error:"]}},"comment":{"reference":"includes\/js\/index.js"}} );
var wpcf7 = { "api": { "root": "https:\/\/travelweekly.com.au\/wp-json\/", "namespace": "contact-form-7\/v1" }, "cached": 1 };
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/js/index.js
var themeMyLogin = {"action":"","errors":[]};
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/plugins/theme-my-login/assets/scripts/theme-my-login.min.js
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/plugins/breeze/assets/js/js-front-end/breeze-lazy-load.min.js
document.querySelectorAll('img[data-breeze]').forEach(img=>{if(img.getBoundingClientRect().top<=window.innerHeight){img.src=img.getAttribute('data-breeze');img.removeAttribute('data-breeze')}});
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/foxiz/assets/js/jquery.waypoints.min.js
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/foxiz/assets/js/rbswiper.min.js
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/foxiz/assets/js/jquery.mp.min.js
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/foxiz/assets/js/jquery.ui.totop.min.js
var foxizParams = {"twitterName":"travelweeklyaus","sliderSpeed":"5000","sliderEffect":"slide","sliderFMode":"1","crwLoadNext":"1","singleLoadNextLimit":"20","liveInterval":"600"};
https://travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/foxiz/assets/js/global.js
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('sticky'); });