A third crew member from Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas dies from COVID-19
A third crew member of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas cruise ship died Sunday from COVID-19 in a Broward County hospital.
Carlo Baluran, from the Philippines, had been hospitalized several weeks ago before succumbing to the disease early Sunday morning, the company’s CEO, Michael Bayley, said in a statement to crew members Sunday obtained by the Miami Herald. At least 14 crew members from the Oasis of the Seas ship tested positive for COVID-19 in late March, and at least nine were evacuated to South Florida hospitals.
The ship’s captain announced the news over the loudspeaker. “It was with great sadness that I now share with you that team member incinerator man Carlo Baluran passed away this morning,” he said. “You should know that he was well cared for in the hospital ... and that his family was contacted and offered support.”
Bayley said Baluran had showed signs of recovery before his death Sunday. “Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues, including his two brothers, who also work for the Royal Caribbean family,” he said in the statement.
At least six other crew members from Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation cruise ships died from COVID-19 in South Florida hospitals in March and April, including two of Baluran’s colleagues from the Oasis of the Seas: Dexter Joyosa, 43, from the Philippines, and Iputu Sugiartha, 41, from Indonesia.
Baluran’s family could not be reached for this story. Tributes to him on Facebook say he was known for his good spirit and jokes.
“Every time I pass in the incinerator you always ask me when I am going to Philippine and always make me smile with your fun jokes,” one said. “So when I come to Philippines again ... I cant even visit your home.”
Another Royal Caribbean crew member went overboard from the Jewel of the Seas on Thursday; his body has not been found. The captain announced that he had gone overboard after a day of search efforts. The ship is now anchored near Greece.
“I am sorry to share with you, after a thorough investigation, it appears that our colleague and crew member Kristoff has gone overboard,” the captain said, according to a recording obtained by the Herald.
Crew members have been trapped on board ships since the industry canceled new cruises March 13 with little to no information about when and how they will be going home.
For weeks, Royal Caribbean told crews on ships near the U.S. that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had banned crew repatriation flights. The agency said it never banned flights, but did begin to require cruise company executives to sign an agreement with the agency that carries possible criminal and civil consequences if CDC rules for disembarkation are not followed.
On Sunday, CEOs of Royal Caribbean brands Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises announced they would sign the required agreements with the CDC to allow crew to disembark.
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
