Nearly 1,000 stranded Filipino cruise ship workers arrive in PH — DFA

Some 900 Filipino crew members of the Norwegian Dawn and Star, and MSC Armonia, Meraviglia, Seaside and Divina Cruise ships from Miami, Florida arrive in Manila on Thursday. Photo courtesy of DFA

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly a thousand stranded Filipino cruise ship workers were repatriated and arrived in the Philippines on Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

According to the DFA, some 900 Filipino seafarers of the Norwegian Dawn and Star, and MSC Armonia, Meraviglia, Seaside, and Divina Cruise ships from Miami, Florida arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) amid the continuing suspension of flights due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 900 seafarers were welcomed by personnel from various government agencies including three nurses from the DFA, the department noted.

Another 79 seafarers from Carnival Pride, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Breeze, and MS World Odyssey arrived at Clark International Airport Thursday.

United Philippines Line (UPL), the manning agency of Carnival cruise ships, made arrangements for the onward transportation of their crew members, the DFA said.

“All repatriated seafarers will undergo mandatory quarantine as precautionary measure before their eventual travel back to their respective homes,” the department added.

“The mass repatriation of (overseas Filipino workers) around the globe during this COVID-19 situation remains a concerted effort of DFA and its partner agencies, notably, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the (Department of Health),” it further said.