The Port of San Diego is putting in place new measures to ensure the number of cruise crew sign-offs are monitored for Holland America and Celebrity Cruises during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The US port has allowed two cruise vessels to disembark passengers with conditions including restricting crew shore leave during disembarkation.
Nautilus is closely monitoring the situation with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).
The conditions were imposed after Holland America Line (HAL) contacted the Port of San Diego to request to berth and disembark 834 passengers aboard the Maasdam. The vessel is currently scheduled to arrive on 26 March and to disembark on 27 and 28 March.
The Port, and US agencies the San Diego County Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the US Coast Guard, and Customs and Border Protection, have accepted the request but insisted on the following conditions:
• Cruise operators must immediately inform the Port, and relevant agencies if any passengers or crew members begin to display symptoms of any illness, including Covid-19
• Operators must report total crew signoffs
• Operators must not grant shore leave to crew members who remain under contract
Additionally, if cleared to come into port by the relevant agencies and medical authorities, the Celebrity Cruises vessel Celebrity Eclipse is scheduled to arrive on 30 March and disembark approximately 2,500 passengers on 30 and 31 March. It will remain in port until 1 April.
After disembarking in San Diego, the Eclipse will sail to Puerto Vallarta to disembark approximately 175 passengers who don't have passports or visas to allow entry into the US. The Eclipse will then return to San Diego during the first week of April for fuel and supplies before heading back out to sea.
The following vessels, without passengers, are or will be anchored or berthed at various locations in and around San Diego Bay:
• Regent Seven Seas Splendor – docked at the National City Marine Terminal and scheduled to remain there until April 11
• Disney Wonder – scheduled to remain docked at the B Street cruise terminal until April 19
• Celebrity Millennium – anchored just outside of San Diego Bay; scheduled to dock at B Street Pier on April 2 for supplies
• Holland America Oosterdam – scheduled to anchor just inside San Diego Bay on March 25
• Holland America Westerdam – scheduled to berth at B Street Pier March 26 and take on stores and fuel
Nautilus members who are concerned or are experiencing difficulties related to the coronavirus outbreak are advised to contact their industrial organiser for assistance. In an emergency members can also contact the Nautilus 24/7 helpline.
More Nautilus assistance and our coronavirus resource hub can be found on our Assistance page.
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