Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was initially reluctant to allow the ships, which carry hundreds of US citizens, to dock in the state, citing a lack of medical facilities.

In a statement Wednesday night, Holland America said almost 1,200 passengers were "fit for travel".

Both ships were listed on the Port Everglades schedule Thursday while details for the conditions of the passengers' arrival were still being finalized, said port spokeswoman Ellen Kennedy.

But today (April 2), local authorities and Holland America announced that they had come to an agreement to allow the ships to dock in Florida's Port of Everglades.

Philippine Consulate General Henry Bensurto Jr. of San Francisco told ABS-CBN News they attempted to request if the crew member's daughter could come to the USA to see him before his passing.

"Some of you have a long journey ahead, some of you have already arrived home here in Florida".

"I think the accommodations have been made, and I think that things are going to be done very thoughtfully", he said later Thursday at a news conference.

Holland America also said guests fit to travel would transfer straight from ships to flights so they can return home.

"I'm relieved that they are in", she said.

The couple then boarded a half-empty bus - social distancing rules were being enforced. Another 41 cruise ships, with 41,000 crew members, are underway and close to the U.S.

Fewer than 10 people aboard were in need of critical care, according to the cruise line, and they would be taken to a local hospital.

"Unified Command conferenced last night and reached cond. approval of Carnival's Plan, subject to approval between Broward and Carnival", he wrote on Twitter.

Numerous passengers are USA citizens and about 50 of them are Floridians. Eventually some 73 passengers and 116 crew members reported similar symptoms. Peter's test came back positive first, but they're still waiting on Grace's test.

Passengers were able to walk around and access reduced services on the ship until Tuesday, he said, when they were confined to their cabins.

"It's natural for citizens to be afraid about bringing in people who are an added risk", Kim Peterson said.

Holland America Line went on to say that about 45 guests who still have mild illness and are unfit to travel at this time will continue to isolate on board until recovered.

The company did not explain why it changed course but informed authorities in Broward County on Friday that it would not be arriving Saturday as planned.

DeSantis may have to make another tough decision in the near future.

Hundreds of passengers began disembarking from the cruise ships Vaandam and Rotterdam at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Friday. That includes 73 cruise ships, with 52,000 crew members, moored or anchored in US ports and anchorages.

So far, operator Princess Cruises said a dozen people on board have tested positive for COVID-19, while others are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Miami-based Carnival Corp., confirmed in a statement the ship was headed to Miami on Saturday morning but did not mention the deaths aboard.