St. John’s couple, Stanley and Linda Laite are finally home and in self-isolation after a cruise ship vacation that turned into a weeks-long ordeal.

The couple was on the Holland America ship Zaandam for a cruise along the coast of South America when COVID-19 struck the continent. South American nations then started shutting their ports, leaving the massive vessel stranded.

Stanley Laite says there were no travel advisories when they started the journey. At that point, there was only a single reported case in Brazil—a country that wasn’t part of the ship’s itinerary.

Laite says to make matters worse, COVID-19 was on board and working its way through the ship’s passengers and crew. According to Laite, from March 22 onward, all passengers had to stay in their rooms.

He says the numbers changed, but it started with about 20 guests and 70 crew members affected. Some passengers were eventually transferred to the Rotterdam to help ease the pressure on the remaining crew of the Zandaam who were doing their best given the circumstances.

Zaandam & Rotterdam exited the Panama Canal this morning. We appreciate the humanitarian compassion shown for our guests & crew by the govt of Panama & Panama Maritime Authority. We thank the various embassies for their support in our efforts to help get their citizens home.

— Holland America Line (@HALcruises) March 30, 2020

Laite and his wife are healthy and doing well, and the experience—as trying as it was—hasn’t deterred them from plans for future travel.

He admits he’s already booked a cruise trip to Australia next March and intends to go if travel restrictions are lifted at that time.