Last cruise ship with passengers reaches Germany

German cruise ship MV Artania has reached its final port of call, port of Bremerhaven in Germany, where the last of the passengers have disembarked.

It is the last ship, which still had passengers to call at a port, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cruise ship operator Phoenix Reisen confirmed that the ship reached Germany where all eight passengers disembarked.

The ship made many diversions to allow crew members to disembark.

Many cruise lines suspended operations over two months ago to limit the spread of Covid-19.

In April, cruise ships under the Cruise Lines International Association such as Costa Deliziosa, MSC Magnifica and Pacific Princess docked at ports, while Artania continued to sail.

The ship started its journey from Hamburg, Germany, on 21 December last year for a 140-day world cruise. The ship can accommodate 1,200 passengers.

In March, when it arrived at Fremantle, Australia, 36 passengers tested positive for Covid-19 after a screening by the health officials.

Infected people onboard were evacuated to undergo quarantine in hospitals, said the operator.

There have been three deaths due to Covid-19, two passengers and one crew member.

All those who tested negative remained on the ship and were later repatriated to their home countries.

Eight passengers opted not to travel via air and remained on the ship.

The ship left Australia on 18 April for Europe and stopped at some ports in Southeast Asia to drop crew members.

When it arrived at Bremerhaven, the ship was carrying 75 crew members who were onboard to carry out a smooth cruise ship operation.