COVID-19 has managed to put so much fear into the hearts of people all over the world with crew members experiencing more than average fear due to being away from family and friends support. In times of uncertainty and fear, it is a good idea to share something that can alleviate this at least a little and to know that people survive.

The German cruise line AIDA Cruises has announced the plan for their crew members currently on board the ships. Due to the longer time out of operation, the company will start to repatriate as many as possible non-essential crew back home. The crew who will be sent home earlier than one month before the contract expires will receive full payment until disembarkation, plus two additional monthly basic salaries.

After the order by the NSW Police all cruise ships to leave Australian waters and return to their home ports, P&O Australia has decided its cruise ships will set sail to the Philippines and Indonesia to bring their crew members back home. The company primary focus right now is the common safety of all the crew and to get as many of the crew home as soon as possible.

• •Filipino seafarers are the largest population in the global maritime industry with over 375 000 people.
• •These people contributed to the Filipino economy with $6.14 Billion in 2018.

Viking Cruises, one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury cruise lines announced a quite generous financial compensation for its crew amid the global coronavirus crisis. in order to ensure the Viking employees continue to receive salary for the following months, the company has presented the crew of their ocean cruise ships with the following plan which will be in effect starting April 1.

Dear Crew, whether you are at home battling through daily tasks, trying to cope with our new reality or still on board, trying to keep sane and healthy, - we are here for you.

Crew Center keeps its hand on crew-news pulse and does an admirable job at helping/supporting whoever we can.

Dear Crew Worldwide,

How are you today? We really hope you are managing as well as it is possible in these uncharted waters. We know it’s scary to find ourselves in this new reality with suspended jobs, no certainty and plenty of challenges to come. So, let’s take a few moments and explore the state of our inner world, our inner selves.

A crew member on the cruise ship Celebrity Infinity tested positive for COVID-19.  The crew member disembarked the ship on March 21, and was sent to hospital in Florida for testing. As soon as his symptoms were reported he was isolated and then disembarked the ship. 

Celebrity Infinity crew received the following letter on 23 March:

• Who would have thought that this will happen?
• Who would have thought that this unexpected event will suddenly affect all of us?

Celebrity Infinity crew member was recently disembarked from the cruise ship and sent to hospital for testing. As a precaution measure from the Miami Head Office starting today, all public areas will be closed for the crew and all crew activities have been suspended until further notice.