The first guests from Fred Olsen ship Braemar have begun arriving back into the UK at London’s Heathrow Airport.

All 682 guests disembarked the ship in the Port of Mariel, Havana, yesterday on four flights. Three of these were under charter to British Airways, all flying into London Heathrow Terminal 5. The last of these flights was due to land at approximately 11.15am UK time.

The fourth flight for guests who have received a positive diagnosis for coronavirus, or have displayed any flu-like symptoms, plus their companions, will arrive at the Ministry of Defence base in Boscombe Down, Wiltshire.

This flight was secured in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Guests received Fred Olsen care packages as they landed, which included long-life milk, teabags, biscuits and fruit.

Costa Coffee at Heathrow Airport also provided additional water, crisps and biscuits for guests upon arrival.

Care packages were also delivered to a dedicated meeting point for guests who were on the separate flight into MoD Boscombe Down.

Fred Olsen managing director, Peter Deer, said: “I would like to thank all of our guests for their patience as we worked around the clock to get them back to the UK. We know that at times this was a frustrating process, and it was not the way they, or we, had anticipated the end to their holiday.

“As we have already seen in the Caribbean, the world, including the UK, has become a very different place over the past few weeks. I hope this small gesture of a care package goes some way to showing our thanks to them all in what has become a very challenging and unprecedented time.

“Once again, I would like to extend my thanks, on behalf of us all on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, for those who have worked so hard to get our guests home, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Cuban Authorities and the Port of Mariel, the Department for Transport, the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Care.”

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has set up a dedicated Braemar Relative Support Team, which will be open until 4pm on 19 March. Relatives can reach this team by calling +44 (0) 1473 292350.

On 12 March, Fred Olsen confirmed five people on board the 929-passenger ship, including four crew members, had tested positive for covid-19 on 10 March.

Fred Olsen has paused its ocean cruise operations until 23 May 2020.

Following the government’s warning that those over 70 should not travel by cruise, many cruise lines have suspended their sailings. For the complete list, click here.

Visit media.fredolsencruises.com/latest_news for the latest updates.