Fred Olsen passengers who have been quarantined on Braemar due to coronavirus will be repatriated back to the UK today (18 March).

After being denied entry to a number of ports, it has now come alongside in Port of Mariel, Havana, Cuba.

All 682 guests currently on board will fly back to the UK.

In a statement, the line that the flights are chartered from British Airways and will fly guests to London Heathrow Terminal 5, the first of which will take off from Havana at 10pm UK time.

The flights will land into London Heathrow at approximately 7am, 9am and 11am UK time.

Any guests who have received a positive diagnosis for coronavirus, or have displayed any flu-like symptoms, plus their companions, will return to the UK on a separate flight, arriving into the Ministry of Defence base Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. This has been secured in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

A Fred Olsen spokesperson said: “All guests on this flight will have medical professionals available and will have support with any onward travel arrangements or requirements from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the British Government.

“In accordance with advice from Public Health England, all guests on this flight will be required to self-isolate for seven days.

“We are making arrangements for guests flying back to London Heathrow, including access to coach transfers to either London Gatwick or Manchester airports, where their outbound flights for this cruise departed from. Guests booked via a Tour Operator should wait to receive more information from them.

“While guests on the British Airways flights into London Heathrow will not currently be required to self-isolate, we would encourage everyone to monitor the latest updates from Public Health England on their return home.

“Any guests who are considered not to be well enough to fly will be offered support and medical treatment in Cuba.”

A dedicated Braemar Relative Support Team has been set up at Fred Olsen’s UK Head Office to give a direct point of contact for those who have relatives on board. Relatives can reach this team by calling +44 (0) 1473 292350 between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

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.