A group of 29 Cypriots has been stranded on a cruise ship anchored in the port of Doha, Qatar, since Saturday, after the vessel’s departure was suspended due to the ongoing regional conflict.
Passenger Anna Stylianidou told Phileleftheros the group left Cyprus on Clean Monday, 23 February, flying first to Dubai where they boarded the ship for what was meant to be a week-long cruise.
Before hostilities broke out, they had visited Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar. “From Saturday we have been anchored in Doha port. The ship could not depart and we were told we would remain here until we are able to leave,” she said.
The group is in continuous contact with the Cypriot embassy in Qatar, which is closely monitoring the situation. Stylianidou said both the Cypriot and Greek ambassadors are expected to visit the ship.
On Monday, passengers were offered the option of signing a form to depart on a military aircraft, though Stylianidou said it remained unclear whether the flight would go ahead. She added that although Qatar’s airspace has reopened, they were told there are problems with flights to Cyprus specifically.
Most of the 29 passengers are elderly and have health problems. The embassy has intervened to arrange their medications, Stylianidou said. Passengers are occasionally permitted to disembark for a short walk in the port.
