Costa Deliziosa Assists Stranded Italians in Maldives

The cruise ship Costa Deliziosa left Malé on Wednesday evening after taking onboard 28 Italian citizens who had been unable to travel home because of disrupted flights due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Information shared with passengers onboard indicated that Captain Severino Palomba confirmed the additional guests were accepted after a request from the Italian Consulate in Malé. The travelers had been stranded in the Maldives when scheduled flights could not operate due to the ongoing situation impacting regional air travel.

The vessel departed Malé at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time, with the stranded passengers joining the cruise for the next part of the journey.

Since commercial flights were not available, the Italian nationals were offered passage on the ship so they could leave the Maldives. People onboard described the move as a humanitarian effort arranged in coordination between the vessel and Italian diplomatic representatives.

Costa Deliziosa is currently sailing a leg of its world cruise itinerary, which includes destinations across the Indian Ocean and southern Africa. After departing the Maldives, the ship is expected to continue calling at ports in the region before reaching Cape Town on March 18.