Ill-fated cruise ships awaiting approval to dock in Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Two ill-fated cruise ships waited just off Fort Lauderdale's shores on Thursday to learn when they'll be allowed to dock at Port Everglades after Carnival Cruise Line reached a conditional agreement with authorities in Florida.

Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine said on Twitter that a final document would be released Thursday morning.

In an email sent Wednesday night, Holland America said it had received approval from a health system in Fort Lauderdale to treat fewer than 10 people “who need immediate critical care.”

Meanwhile, it's awaiting confirmation to disembark passengers and “get the nearly 1,200 well guests home immediately," as long as they are fit for travel in accordance with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

“Guests fit for travel per the CDC would transfer straight from the ship to flights for onward travel home, the majority on charter flights," the statement said. “Out of an abundance of caution, these guests will be transported in coaches that will be sanitized, with limited person-to-person contact and while wearing masks."

The company said the provisions “well exceed what the CDC have advised is necessary for their travel," during the coronavirus pandemic, adding that guests have not left the ship since March 14 and have self-isolated in their staterooms since March 22.

President Donald Trump suggested that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed to the plan after they spoke on Wednesday.

“You have people that are sick on those ships, and states don't want to take (them). They have enough problems right now,” Trump said at his evening news conference.

“But we have to help the people. They're -- they're in big trouble no matter where -- no matter where they're from. Happen to be...