After 10-Day Cleaning, Cruise Ship Is Deemed Safe, Sets Sail

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. —  Holland America Line’s cruise ship Amsterdam set sail Sunday, 10 days after the company sidelined the ship, trying to eradicate a stomach virus that has sickened more than 500 people.

Holland America reassured the estimated 1,300 passengers who boarded the Amsterdam at Port Everglades that it had thoroughly disinfected the ship.

“We are very confident that we have broken the cycle,” Holland America spokeswoman Rose Abello said.

The Norwalk-like virus suspected of sickening the passengers is one of many common illnesses that can cause diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting for 24 to 48 hours.

Passengers and crew in four voyages became sick despite the cruise line’s attempts to clean the ship, so Holland America canceled the previous 10-day cruise.

More than 600 crew members spent 10 days cleaning the 780-foot vessel, Abello said. Specialists from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta supervised.