19,000 Brits Rescued from Cruise Ship Chaos in Massive Global Effort
More than 19,000 British holidaymakers trapped on cruise liners worldwide have been brought home safely thanks to a massive international rescue operation. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), alongside cruise operators and over 20 governments and military forces, co-ordinated flight after flight to get Brits back on UK soil.
Cruise Ships Turned Into Floating Coronavirus Hotspots
Cruise ships became coronavirus pressure cookers, with dense crowds and confined spaces pushing the outbreak into overdrive. The first major rescue began on February 21, when 78 Brits were evacuated from the quarantined Diamond Princess in Japan. Since then, the Government ramped up efforts especially after advising against vulnerable people travelling on cruises on March 12.
- 669 Brits rescued from MS Braemar in Cuba
- 135 flown home from the Grand Princess off California
- 350+ travellers repatriated from Coral Princess in Florida
- 211 rescued from Zaandam and Rotterdam ships, also in Florida
Diplomatic Muscle Powers Complex Rescue Missions
Brit embassies worked hand in glove with international militaries, including the Mexican Navy and National Guard, to evacuate cruise passengers. Some ships, like the MS Braemar, were turned away from multiple ports due to infections onboard, necessitating delicate negotiations with global leaders to secure docking rights and medical assistance.
“Ensuring the safety of British nationals overseas is our number one priority, and I am pleased more than 19,000 British cruise ship passengers have now been reunited with their families,” said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
“This repatriation effort would not have been possible without the co-operation of partners across the world, including Japan, Cuba, Italy, Mexico and the US, and I am extremely grateful for their assistance.”
Behind the Scenes: A Herculean UK Government Operation
The operation spanned five continents and 13 time zones, involving 59 cruise ships over 68 days. Hundreds of FCO staff worked tirelessly, coordinating with the Department for Transport, cruise lines, and diplomatic missions, supported by a 24-hour crisis team based in London. The Foreign Secretary and ministers lobbied tirelessly to get Brits home from the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
For ongoing travel advice and info, TUI have launched a specialist coronavirus support page: TUI Coronavirus Travel Info.
