A cruise ship was recently stuck in Barcelona after 69 Bolivian passengers were found to have visa problems that prevented them from entering the European border-free Schengen area. The Spanish government and MSC Cruises reached an agreement to remove these passengers from the ship and place them in a transit zone within the port, without allowing them to enter Spanish territory. The stranded passengers were supposed to be the final destination of the ship in Barcelona, but it was scheduled to continue its journey to other countries.
The cruise company made arrangements to provide another boat from Livorno, Italy, to transport the Bolivian passengers later on Thursday. The agreement also included providing food and health care to the impacted Bolivians, as well as working with immigration officials to quickly resolve the visa problems of the passengers. Solange Duarte, a Bolivian diplomat in Barcelona, expressed concerns that some of the stranded Bolivians may have been victims of a fake visa scam, prompting Spain’s national police to investigate further.
After the Bolivian passengers were removed from the ship, the MSC Armonia, with over 1,000 passengers on board, was able to resume its route to Italy as planned. The cruise company notes that the Bolivian passengers appeared to have the proper documentation upon boarding in Brazil, but Spanish authorities determined that their visas were not valid for entry into the Schengen area. The situation has caused uncertainty and inconvenience for all involved, but efforts are being made to resolve the issue as swiftly and smoothly as possible to ensure the cruise ship can continue its journey.
The stranded Bolivian passengers have been taken care of within the transit zone at the port in Barcelona while awaiting further information. The cruise company coordinated with authorities to ensure that the passengers’ basic needs were met during this time. The removal of the Bolivian passengers allowed the ship to proceed on its voyage to Italy, alleviating some of the strain caused by the unforeseen visa problems. The outcome of this agreement was a collaborative effort between the Spanish government, MSC Cruises, and immigration officials to rectify the situation and keep the cruise ship on schedule.
While details about the circumstances surrounding the Bolivian passengers’ visa problems remain unclear, the focus now is on addressing the immediate needs of the impacted passengers and working towards a resolution. MSC Cruises and the Spanish government have taken responsibility for the well-being of the Bolivian passengers and are committed to finding a solution to the visa issues efficiently. The incident has shed light on the complexities and challenges associated with international travel and the importance of having valid documentation to enter different countries, particularly within the Schengen area.
