Holland America despatched sister ship Rotterdam to aid the ship by bringing supplies and COVID-19 tests with the intention of transferring some of the passengers aboard Rotterdam.[9] Later, on 27 March, Zaandam was denied transit through the Panama Canal due to the number of sick people on board.[13] On 28 March 2020, both Zaandam and the accompanying vessel Rotterdam were cleared by the Panama Department of Health to transit through the Panama Canal towards their destination in Florida.[14]