Trini cruise ship crew coming home

Government was able to implement arrangements for the return of 59 nationals who were on board cruise liners trying to get home more than six weeks.

They were left out at sea after TT closed its borders at midnight on March 22 as part of the counter-covid19 measures.

Six of them – crew members on the Caribbean Princess – were scheduled to arrive on Saturday evening.

However, 49 on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship which, on Friday, pulled up off the north coast to refuel, will have to wait until Monday to come home.

“We are on our way” and excited Sterling Howell, leader of the band Xcite said on Saturday morning, hours after the government granted permission to repatriate nationals on ships and students in Jamaica and Barbados.

Other members of the Princess crew confirmed to Sunday Newsday that they left Barbados where they had been anchored for over a week and are making their way to the Port of Port of Spain.

“God is really good,” drummer Andy Edwards said.

Edwards said the ship left Barbados around 5.30 am.

“We may reach home in a few hours as we are moving very slowly to conserve fuel.”

He said the six Trinidadians are overwhelmed and overjoyed and could not wait to get home.

In a statement on Saturday, National Security Minister Stuart Young confirmed six nationals will return today and 53 on Monday.

He said government has been communicating with various ship companies to make arrangements and schedule the return of the 430 nationals who are on different ships.

A cruise ship worker on the Disney Fantasy who did not want to be identified explained the reason for returning on Monday.

In a series of WhatsApp messages he said, “We are coming back on Monday because Disney has a deadline to drop off the St Lucia crew on board on Sunday.

The worker said Disney has been very good to them during this quarantine period.

“Disney has been helping us with all they can, feeding us, checking us twice a day, finding quarantine activities on the ship for the crew so we would not get bored.

“But to be honest, I feel good to be coming home. We have been on this ship two and a half months now and it will be good to stretch my legs and smell the good air of being home.”

He said his fellow Trinidadians all share his joy and excitement.

“Some have children back home. Some have been taking care of ill family members, so getting a chance to be with your family at this serious time like this means a lot to us.

“We would like to thank Disney for this effort. It’s been one and a half months now they have been trying to get this negotiation (with government) going.

“We also want to thank the citizens of the country for hearing and supporting us.”

The release said upon arrival, the nationals will be medically examined and assessed by public health officials. They will also be subjected to state quarantine.

Arrangements are also being made to repatriate the remaining nationals in a manner designed to protect them and citizens of this country.