Bill Purnis and Flo MacLeod of Sault Ste. Marie are among nearly 250 Canadian passengers set to be removed from the MS Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise ships after spending nearly a month at sea amid an ongoing global pandemic.
The cruise ships are expected to dock in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. as early as Thursday afternoon.
As of Thursday, nine passengers aboard the MS Zaandam have tested positive for COVID-19, with two deaths on the cruise ship attributed to the virus.
“I think that excited or hesitantly excited might describe our feelings at present, as we were at this point in Punta Arenas on March 15 with our new flight schedule and waiting to go to the airport, when the Chilean government canceled everything,” said Purnis, communicating via email with SooToday. “So fingers crossed.”
Purnis and MacLeod have been at sea for 27 days now, having boarded the MS Zaandam in Buenos Aires March 7 before being transferred by cruise ship company New Holland America to the Rotterdam cruise ship – a sister vessel of the MS Zaandam – over a two-day period beginning March 27.
“Although there are 800 passengers on the Rotterdam, we never see any of them, except the occasional head and arms reaching for the food trays,” Purnis said.
The couple – both retired Algoma District School Board employees who have lived in the Sault since 1967 – received the grim news from the captain of the MS Zaandam that passengers had died while aboard the vessel.
Another 200 passengers aboard the MS Zaandam have also reported flu-like symptoms.
“The captain announced the deaths of the four passengers as the Rotterdam arrived from California,” said Purnis. “The lowest point so far was after the announcement of the deaths when we realized that it could be us, and we might not have been able to say goodbye to our family and friends.”
Although there’s concern surrounding Air Canada flights between the Sault and Toronto being discontinued effective Thursday, the couple remains grateful for what’s helped them throughout the nearly month-long cruise ship ordeal.
“We have been extremely well cared for, and have highest praise for the captains and crew with various countries slamming doors in front of them,” said Purnis. “We also thank [the] email service which connects us with Sault Canada and the world – and most importantly, our positive attitudes during these days at sea have helped weather the storm.”
Purnis tells SooToday that he’s looking forward to being at home in the Sault eventually, despite having to undergo the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period upon return to Canada.
“I want to make my own pasta sauce and pasta, and enjoy giving special thanks for being delivered home safely,” he said. “Usually we have 10 to 14 family [members over] for my pasta, but although there will only be the two of us, we will know that the others are within 40 minutes of us.”
Global Affairs Canada says there are 150 Canadian passengers aboard the Rotterdam, with 97 passengers aboard the MS Zaandam.
No COVID-19 cases have been confirmed among Canadian passengers so far.
- with files from The Canadian Press
