The UK Foreign Office (FCO) has repatriated more than 19,000 British cruise passengers who were on ships across the world when the global coronavirus pandemic hit.

The final group of British passengers are expected to disembark the Costa Deliziosa in Genoa today, taking the total number of British nationals to return from 59 cruise liners to 19,180.

The first repatriation of British cruise ship passengers took place on 21 February, with the evacuation of the 78 British nationals from the Diamond Princess in Japan.

Major efforts by the FCO have included the repatriation of more than 669 British nationals from the MS Braemar in Cuba, 135 British travellers from the Grand Princess in California, more than 350 from the Coral Princess in Florida, and a further 211 British holidaymakers from Holland America Line’s Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise ships, also in Florida.

Efforts to repatriate holidaymakers have seen British embassies work with international militaries, including the Mexican Navy and National Guard who helped evacuate passengers from the Marella Explorer II; work closely on complex rescue missions with countries such as Cuba after Fred Olsen’s MS Braemar was turned away from numerous ports because infected passengers were on board; and lobby world leaders to ensure ships could dock, passengers could travel back to the UK and those requiring medical help received it.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said: “Ensuring the safety of British nationals overseas is our number one priority, and I am pleased more than 19,000 British cruise ship passengers have now been reunited with their families.

“This repatriation effort would not have been possible without the co-operation of partners across the world, including Japan, Cuba, Italy, Mexico and US, and I am extremely grateful for their assistance.

“This UK Government effort has involved hundreds of Foreign Office staff working across five continents and 13 time zones, monitoring 59 cruise ships over 68 days, and liaising closely with the governments of more than 20 countries.

“Working with the Department for Transport, and the cruise ship industry, UK Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates General have facilitated the repatriations, while a 24-hour crisis team, including military experts and transport specialists, has been operating in London.

“The Foreign Secretary and other Foreign Office Ministers lobbied counterparts across the world to secure the safe return of thousands of British nationals from the Americas, Asia and Europe.”

Visit gov.uk for more information.