An additional 51 newly-hired Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises arrived on 24 July 2020 at the Berlin Tegel Airport in Germany. They are set to join 217 other Filipino crewmembers who arrived earlier to commence preparations for the summer cruise season.

Like the initial batch of seafarers, the crew are all experienced maritime professionals and will undergo further training in new health and safety requirements and procedures being implemented in the European cruise industry.

On hand to welcome them in Berlin were officials of AIDA Cruises, one of the largest cruise companies in Europe, 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 in Hamburg and Rostock, the crewmembers will undergo an orientation session in Berlin.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega welcomed the Filipino crewmembers and wished them a safe and productive stint during the cruise operations.

In view of new regulations, the crew will likewise be trained in the updated safety and health measures on board cruise vessels while their company is observing and providing additional safety measures, facilities, and equipment for the crew. END

The Team Leaders for Filipino crewmembers with Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Consul Chieng, and Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz in Berlin, Germany (photos by Berlin PE)

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega welcomes Filipino seafarers to Germany

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

Filipino crewmembers arrive at Rostock Airport, Germany (photos by Berlin PE)

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega welcomes Filipino seafarers to Germany

Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Consul Marie Chris Chieng, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega with AIDA Cruises officials at Rostock Airport

A group of 237 Filipino crewmembers principally of the Döhle Group, other shipping and crewing companies, and stranded Filipinos in Germany and other countries in the EU region departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on 26 June 2020 via a chartered Condor Airlines Flight. They arrived in the Philippines on 27 June 2020. The seafarers and other Filipinos had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended and travel restrictions implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March of this year.

The Filipino crew and other passengers were assisted at the send-off in Hamburg by a team from the Philippine Embassy in Berlin led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Consul Rogelio Villanueva of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, and staff members Renante Estrella and Vieto Pilapil.

Joining the flight to return to their posts in the Philippines were German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel and other members of the German Embassy in Manila.

Before departure, The Filipino passengers were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program of OWWA. END

Amb. Dizon-De Vega and Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz speak with Filipino seafarers during check-in

German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel with Amb. Dizon-De Vega, Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, and Consul Rogelio Villanueva confer on the arrangements for the flight

L-R Labor Attaché Cruz explains the AKAP and other government programs for returning overseas workers (all photos by Berlin PE)