Captain Gennaro Arma of the Diamond Princess cruise ship received the highest honor of the Italian Republic, the Order of Merit, for his commitment and courage by President Sergio Mattarella. Captain Arma, also known as Gladiator Captain among his crew, has been widely praised for the care and concern he gave to the passengers and crew on the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship that was quarantined in the port of Yokohama. 

Every question about the damage done by the coronavirus and when things will get back to normal for the cruise industry will be hard to answer. The following text is an honest opinion from a crew member sharing his thoughts about the future of cruising.

From Royal Caribbean crew member from the Philippines repatriated on June 16, 2020.

A word thank you is not enough to express my feelings for being so blessed and thankful as being a part of your company. 

I’m one of the Celebrity Summit’s crew members from Royal Caribbean International

It was a really hard time for all crew members on board when the company was trying to send us home safely during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the lockdown of the cruise industry. They were trying very hard in these tough times to send all the crews from so many different countries. 

It Began on the 12th of March 2020. I Said Goodbye to My Family and embarked on another Adventure around the World, to Board the Carnival Panorama in LA and Cruise down the Mexican Riviera, sharing the Magick that is My Music and Stories...

There are well over 2000 Mauritians stranded on cruise ships and their government will not let them come home. Their country has had minimal Covid cases and as the world slowly reopens it borders, crew from Mauritius cannot even get home to their families.

I am one of the many people who have been following your situation closely on the Crew Center Facebook page. It has been painful for me to learn that some of you are experiencing depression, others have lost loved ones back home to COVID-19, and ALL of you are missing your families. It has been a long and difficult journey for you. I feel for you and wish I could do more to help.

Being onboard a cruise ship during this pandemic has not been without challenges, especially for the crew who were eagerly waiting to return home to their loved ones. The bigger the ship the greater the challenges especially for one of the world’s largest cruise ships, Anthem of the Seas. However Anthem of the Seas management team proved to be on top of all challenges ahead by showing true care for each and every crew member aboard.

It breaks my heart to read of the ongoing struggles ship crew are facing right now. I read that most ships and cruise lines are doing what they can to look after crew and to keep you safe. Those ships that are not doing what they can and will be remembered when cruising starts again. It is sad that Governments appear to be guilty of keeping many of you from being with your loved ones and family.

With each day passing by the mental health of the crew still stranded on the cruise ships is deteriorating. One crew member stranded on the cruise ship has sent Crew Center the following letter saying “We don't live, we survive” and asks the government to return home. “I stay in my cabin every day I cry while praying and the walls come to me. A wall as long as it is high, it represents the height of patience that we have to wait.” sid the crew member.