Captain Michele Bartolomei dies unexpectedly on a cruise!

Captain Michele Bartolomei dies unexpectedly on a cruise!

The sudden death of Captain Michele Bartolomei has left the passengers of the Diamond Princess shaken during a 19-day cruise through Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China. Bartolomei died after a medical emergency on the night of May 19 while the cruise ship was in port in Taipei. A distress call was sent over the ship's loudspeakers at 2 a.m. to alert medics in sickbay.

Passengers learned of Bartolomei's sudden death upon entering Taipei Harbor. This news led to a depressed mood on board, which was reinforced by a letter from the crew. In this letter, the crew expressed their “deep sadness” over the loss of the captain. Bartolomei, 52, was an experienced sailor and had worked for Princess Cruises for almost 30 years, having started his career with the shipping company in 1995.

Appreciation of the captain

The shipping company recognized Bartolomei's leadership qualities and his passion for the sea. Many passengers recalled positive experiences with the captain, which added to the sadness of his loss. Bartolomei lived in Canada and had a great passion for fishing. However, the exact cause of the captain's death remains unknown.

Despite the tragic incident, the Diamond Princess continue their journey. Staff Captain Salvatore Macera took command of the ship and led the cruise until the end, which will be in Yokohama today, May 25th. The trip began on May 16 in Yokohama and includes stops in Taiwan and China, among other places.

The crew expressed their condolences to Bartolomei's family. The sad news was also shared on social media, causing the entire cruise community to say goodbye to a valued captain.