FORT LAUDERDALE — Holland America Line’s Zaandam and Rotterdam have both docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, with the first groups of passengers transported to Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport for flights home.

Some 247 Canadians were among the 2,700 passengers and crew onboard the two ships.

Critically ill passengers were transferred to Florida hospitals.

Earlier this week Holland America President Orlando Ashford released an op-ed piece asking state and federal authorities to allow the ships to dock, calling the situation a humanitarian crisis.

More ships are still at sea as borders have closed and entry restrictions have tightened amid the coronaries pandemic. One of the ships, Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess, is currently at sea and scheduled to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale on April 4. The ship has reported a higher-than-average number of passengers with flu-like symptoms.