They had imagined this vacation to be different: by the end of April, 259 Swiss people could not board the Costa Deliziosa, a cruise ship with a total of around 1,800 passengers and 900 crew members. They were on a world tour that should have taken them to the Caribbean, the Panama Canal to South America, Australia and further to East Asia.
But because of the corona pandemic, things turned out differently. “The cruise was canceled on March 16,” says the Swiss P.T. *, who has been on the cruise ship since the beginning of the trip in early January. At that time the ship was in Perth, Australia. “I was one of the few who disembarked there and flew home on my own,” said T. “The ship departed the same day, and all other passengers have been locked up since then. It was said that investments would be made in Italy again in late April. »
“I am angry”
Out of dissatisfaction with the situation, several Swiss passengers are now turning directly to the Italian shipping company Costa Crociere and criticizing their communication policy: “At first we were not informed that the last opportunity was to leave the ship in Perth,” says a letter, which is 20 minutes. When the information came, it was too late for most to organize. And further: «Other shipping companies have helped their passengers and arranged their return by plane. Not so Costa. »
In the letter, the passengers also complained that no great value was placed on social distancing: measures had to be taken so that there were no longer too many passengers in too small a space. As shown in a photo, the distance rule is not being observed in the on-board restaurant. The Swiss M.B. *, who co-signed the letter, sees the duty not only of the shipping company: “I am angry that the passengers obviously underestimate their own health security.” The mood on board is depressed: “Many are insecure because of the lack of information,” said B.
EDA monitors the situation
As Costa Crociere writes on request, the health situation on board is constantly monitored. So far there have been no problems, but the hygiene regulations have been tightened.
The ship is currently in the Indian Ocean and is heading for Muscat, the capital of Oman. Together with the Italian authorities, they are looking for a port where the Costa Deliziosa can dock. The aim is to guarantee maximum security for the guests and at the same time enable them to return home quickly.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA is aware of the situation on the cruise ship, says spokesman Pierre-Alain Eltschinger: “There are 259 Swiss citizens on board.” You watch the situation very closely, Eltschinger continues. “The FDFA is in contact with several passengers to support them in the context of consular protection.”
* Name of the editor known
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