A cruise ship stuck in Barcelona resumes sailing after passengers accused of having fake visas were removed and investigated by authorities
Emilio Morenatti/AP
- A cruise ship carrying 1,500 passengers was stuck in Barcelona because of a visa dispute.
- Spanish authorities suspected that the visas of 69 Bolivian passengers were fake.
- The passengers are being held on another boat while authorities investigate.
A cruise ship carrying 1,500 passengers was stuck in port in Barcelona after Spanish authorities investigated 69 Bolivian passengers.
The police believed that the Bolivian passengers' visas were fake and are investigating, Spanish police authorities told news agency Efe.
The MSC Armonia cruise ship set off from Brazil and was due to continue through the Mediterranean, with some passengers switching over in Barcelona, Efe reported.
The delay has meant that planned stops in France, Greece, and Croatia have been canceled which has caused some disgruntled passengers to leave the boat early, Reuters reported.
Barcelona was meant to be the final destination for the Bolivian passengers. However, the ship had to stay in port until the situation was resolved.
In a statement shared with Business Insider, MSC Cruises confirmed that the cruise would resume sailing on Thursday.
"Thanks to the cooperation with the Spanish authorities, the group of Bolivian guests has been disembarked and will now follow the immigration process as required by law. We are fully assisting with this process," they said.
The spokesperson confirmed that the passengers' visas were found to be not valid for entry and that the Spanish authorities are investigating.
The passengers' will be held on another boat while Spanish authorities decide whether they will be deported or granted asylum, Reuters reported, citing the government's regional delegation in Catalonia.
Solange Duarte, a Bolivian diplomat in Barcelona, told the AP that she had received reports that some of the Bolivian passengers had been duped into obtaining fake visas.
MSC Cruises is one of the world's largest cruise lines, known for its long luxury trips that can set sail for months at a time.
Its new four-month-long world cruise, which will set off in 2026, is expected to cost passengers between $15,800 and $38,210 per person, depending on their cabin.