Westerdam

The 'Westerdam', in the middle of a 28-night itinerary that departed from Tokyo, Japan on Feb 15, 2026, was visited on March 1 by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) from Hong Kong’s Department of Health was called to investigate what was believed to be a norovirus outbreak. Thus far, 76 individual cases have been reported, including 65 guests and 11 crew members. Of those infected, ages ranged between 24 and 92, with cases split evenly between 38 men and 38 women. The CHP reported that approximately 2,000 guests are currently onboard, which means that just about 3% of guests and 1% of crew members wdre infected. The primary symptoms have been vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, which is consistent with the suspicion of norovirus. No individuals have required any significant medical intervention or hospitalization. Preliminary testing did confirm norovirus as the cause of the illness. Further testing was still ongoing. When the 'Westerdam. arrived in Hong Kong at roughly 4 a.m., local health authorities and medical staff inspected the vessel, including food hygiene practices. A temporary medical station was set up in the cruise terminal for passenger health assessments. While guests were off the vessel, thorough cleaning and disinfecting took place to help minimize any further spread or contamination. After inspecting the cruise ship, the CHP personnel briefed the affected individuals and the operator on health advice and necessary infection control measures, including thorough disinfection, proper handling of vomit, and attention to personal and environmental hygiene. Additionally, the CHP personnel provided detailed information about norovirus to arriving passengers and crew, advising them to seek medical attention promptly if they develop related symptoms. The Hong Kong CHP officials also notified health authorities in the Philippines of the incident and the measures that have already been taken to minimize the outbreak.

The US Coast Guard medevaced a 73-year-old woman from the 'Westerdam' near Port Angeles on Oct 3, 2022. Watchstanders at the 13th Coast Guard District Command Center in Seattle received a medical evacuation request from the cruise ship of a passenger with symptoms of a mild cardiac infarction approximately 46 miles west of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Due to low visibility, watchstanders directed the 'Westerdam' to continue towards Port Angeles to conduct the hoist. At 8:50 a.m., a Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew arrived on scene. The patient was transferred to emergency medical services at approximately 10 a.m.

The 'Westerdam' arrived on March 16 in Honolulu and moored at Pier 2. She was scheduled to depart at 5 p.m. on March 17 and headed to San Francisco with an ETA as of March 24. There were no passengers aboard the ship which left Manila on March 2, but its crew disembarked in Honolulu. None of the previous passengers or crew have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The onboard doctor screened the crew members before they were released. The Coast Guard, the state and DOT Harbors Division were working with the cruise line and the ship’s crew to provide necessary services and to resupply it. The Westerdam crew had not left the ship since Feb. 26 so she was at sea longer than the 14-day incubation period before arriving in Hawaii. The 'Westerdam' departed Hong Kong on Feb. 1 with 1,500 passengers, who disembarked in Cambodia on Feb. 14.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) allowed the 'Westerdam' to dock at the South Harbor of Manila for re-provisioning on March 1, 2020. The ship came from Cambodia and previously had a passenger suspected to be infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The passenger has since tested negative for the virus. The vessel was allowed to dock until 8 p.m. of March 2, but may already leave hours early once they finish with their re-provisioning and possibly refueling. The only people on the 'Westerdam' when it docked at Pier 15 of South Harbor were its 747 crew. There were no passengers on board. More than 200 of them were Filipinos, who were disappointed because none of the crew were given shore leave or clearance to disembark from the vessel. The ship arrived from Cambodia on March 1 after being rejected by several ports in other countries with a report that one of the ship’s passengers was allegedly infected with COVID-19. However, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official told that all passengers were tested, including the person who initially tested positive, and were found negative for the coronavirus. The person may have only suffered a respiratory illness unrelated to COVID-19. The 'Westerdam' then continued to Manila for re-provisioning and refueling before it resumes its voyage to Hawaii.