A cruise ship in a Spanish port has been forced to hold all 1,500 passengers on board, after a Bolivian group failed to obtain the correct visa documents to enter Europe’s borderless Schengen area.
Cruise ship MSC Armonia remains detained in Barcelona, according to reports, as authorities work to resolve the situation.
The debacle, involving 69 Bolivian passengers, prevents the ship from continuing its journey until the situation is resolved.
The journey departed from Brazil to travel a route in the Mediterranean Sea, with the 69 Bolivians in question, including families and children.
In a statement, MSC Cruises initially believed the visa documents were correct and appeared to meet the requirements necessary for travel.
However, upon further inspection, the visas were “not valid” for entry.
“The passengers appeared to have the appropriate documents for boarding in Brazil,” the statement said.
“We have been informed by the authorities that visas are not valid for entry into the Schengen area. As a result, the passengers were unable to disembark in Barcelona, which was their final destination. »
A Bolivian passenger, who spoke to local media on condition of anonymity, said she was treated like “a criminal (in a) prison” despite being assured by a travel agency that her visa was correct and valid for to travel.
Some family members of Bolivian travelers aboard the cruise ship told Spanish media that all 69 passengers had been victims of a scam.
According to the claim published in the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, a South American agency offered visas online and charged up to $10,000 per person.
It is understood the vessel will remain in port while working with authorities as the investigation continues.
New York Post
