22 July 2020, Berlin – 217 newly-hired Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises arrived today at the Rostock Airport in Germany to commence preparations for the summer cruise season. All the seafarers are experienced crew members and will undergo further training in new health and safety requirements and procedures being implemented in the European cruise industry.
The Filipino seafarers are eager to start their work and orientation after arriving from Manila on board a chartered flight arranged by AIDA Cruises. On hand to welcome them in Rostock were AIDA Cruises officials, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Consul Marie Chris Chieng, and Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz.
Before proceeding to their respective ports of operation, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega welcomed the Filipino crewmembers and wished them a safe and productive stint during the cruise operations.
The seafarers will form part of the teams on three major AIDA cruise vessels, the AIDA Blu, AIDA Mar, and AIDA Pearl. The vessels will be operating out of Rostock and Hamburg ports on shorter term cruises as the maritime industry begins its recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In view of new regulations, the crew will be trained in the new safety and health measures on board cruise vessels while AIDA Cruises will provide additional safety measures, facilities, and equipment for the crew. END