Holland America Line Cruise Ship Noordam at Anchor without passengers Auckland New Zealand - 2020

AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND March 19, 2020. Holland America Line is to pause all cruises until April 14, 2020 on account of the Covid-19 virus. After leaving the Port of Tauranga on March 10 the Noordam steamed up the coast arriving at Ports of Auckland on March 12 where all passengers were offloaded. She then returned to Tauranga then returned back to Auckland today. After taking on fuel and provisions for remaining crew, she proceed the short distance to anchor in the Rangitoto anchorage. The last time such a large passenger ship was at this Rangitoto anchorage was was on the 8/9 February 1942 when the Queen Elizabeth troopship made a secret visit to take on fuel to continue her high speed dash from Sydney Australia to Esquimalt Vancouver with Australian troops. UPDATE: she departed Auckland on or about March 24 and is heading for San Diego at 9.7 knots and due to arrive there on April 24.