Cruise stranded by virus fears ends with roses in Cambodia

Passengers reacting after they disembarked from the MS Westerdam, back, at the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Friday, (Feb 14). Hundreds of cruise ship passengers long stranded at sea by virus fears cheered as they finally disembarked Friday and were welcomed to Cambodia. - AP

SIHANOUKVILLE: Hundreds of cruise ship passengers long stranded at sea by Covid-19 (coronavirus) fears cheered as they finally disembarked Friday (Feb 14) and were welcomed to Cambodia by the nation's authoritarian leader who handed them flowers.

Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to let the Westerdam dock at the port of Sihanoukville on Thursday after Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam had barred the ship earlier.