Coronavirus: two thousand Argentines continue to drift on an offshore cruise

On the cruise Pacific Coast uncertainty reigns. As reported TN.com.arHe left Buenos Aires on March 3 for Genoa, Italy, with an arrival scheduled for March 24. But the coronavirus pandemic changed all plans, as Europe closed the ports to prevent the spread of the disease. More than a thousand Argentines who travel on board are desperate and adrift, since although they were informed that the next 19 at noon they would arrive in Marseille, France, they are not insured either. They are currently off the coast of Morocco.

The former judge Hector tatarsky He is one of the tourists traveling on the cruise. In dialogue with TN He lamented that they are going through a “frustrating, ugly, painful” experience. He said that he is traveling with his wife and that they were planning to arrive in Barcelona, ​​Spain on the next 21st but that obviously they will not specify it. The latest information they have is that next Thursday they would land in Marseille, although they do not know if it will finally happen. “We will see if the port is open”, he warned.

They have withheld their passports and that although the Costa Cruises company informed them that they would take care of the procedures and needs that arose until the repatriation, they cannot imagine “how the operation would be done to transfer the contingent to Argentina, in what time and with what availability “.

According to his estimates there are some 1600 Argentines in the cruise, each airplane has a capacity for 300 passengers and it would take six aircraft to transfer them back to Argentina. He warned that Aerolíneas Argentinas (the airline that will be in charge of repatriation) does not have flights to Marseille and lacks regular trips to Paris.

He explained that the ship is experiencing a climate of great uncertainty, fearing that they will not be allowed to disembark in Marseille. “Everything is as in a haze, nerves grow from the assumptions, versions and transcendents that arise on the cruise. We only want to go home,” he said, and indicated that the only communication they have with the outside It is via WhatsApp.

The company’s statement

Costa Cruises announces a temporary pause of your global operations

Due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, Costa Cruises has decided to temporarily suspend its cruises to protect the health and safety of guests, crew and destinations.

Buenos Aires, March 13, 2020. Costa Cruises announced that it will temporarily suspend the global operations of the ships, which will affect travel Until 3 April *. The decision was made due to the global spread of COVID-19, recently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, which is calling for extraordinary measures and the determined contribution of all concerned to stop the outbreak.

“As an industry leader, we feel it is our responsibility to be prepared to make tough decisions when times call for it,” said Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises. “At Costa, the health and safety of our guests and crew members are our top priority. Now that these unprecedented circumstances require action to ensure that people around the world remain healthy, we are ready to play our part. ”

“Traveling the world aboard a Costa cruise, exploring new destinations and cultures is an enriching experience. We have been making this dream come true for millions of people in over 70 years of history, and we will soon be ready to share these happy experiences with all our guests “concluded Neil Palomba.

In recent months, Costa Cruises has further strengthened precautionary measures in its fleet and has strictly followed the guidelines of the World Health Organization, however, the logistics of traveling the world is even more challenging today and with greater restrictions adopted by various countries has become significantly complex. In an effort to contain the health emergency, Costa Cruises had already reviewed the itineraries of its ships calling at Italian ports until April 3, while Costa’s operations in China had already been suspended since January 25. Cruises currently underway will end their current cruise only to allow guests to disembark and return to their homes. Costa Cruises informs customers that they expect to board one of Costa’s ships, that they will receive a coupon for a full refund.

** Scheduled dates of return of operations: April 3 Costa Magica (from Barcelona); April 4 Costa Smeralda, Pacific Coast; April 5 Costa Luminosa, Costa Diadema; April 8 Costa Fortuna; April 10 Costa Favolosa, Mediterranean Coast; May 3 Costa Fascinosa.

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