KINGSTON, Jamaica — Marella Discovery 2, the cruise ship now home to some 45 Jamaicans stranded at sea, was this weekend denied access to Portugal’s port, The Jamaica Observer reported Monday, April 13.
Speaking to OBSERVER ONLINE yesterday, a crew member confirmed that the captain’s request to dock was denied.
The rejection comes almost two weeks after the Jamaicans aboard the ship — which made a historic call to Port Royal in January — were denied entry into their own country when the vessel stopped in Jamaican waters on April 2.
At that time, a request by the ship’s captain for the Jamaicans to disembark reportedly went unanswered by the Government, which had, on March 24, imposed a travel restriction on incoming passengers to the island in an effort to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The crew member said the ship is now on its way to the United Kingdom, where crew members are hoping to find favour with authorities there. See full Jamaica Observer article at http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/After_Portugal_denial,_J%26%238217;cans_stranded_aboard_ship_hope_UK?profile=1228
