Cruise Ship Captain Dies Onboard After Medical Emergency

The captain of Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess, Captain Michele Bartolomei, passed away unexpectedly from a medical emergency while the ship was docked in Taiwan during a cruise through East Asia.

The incident happened overnight on May 18–19, 2025, while the ship was midway through its 9-night voyage, which had started from Yokohama, Japan, on May 16.

The distress call was made over the ship’s public announcement system at around 2:30 a.m. local time, summoning medical personnel.

Passengers later received letters in their cabins confirming the news of the captain’s passing and were formally informed through another PA announcement as they prepared for their excursions in Keelung, Taiwan. One passenger described the atmosphere as silent and stunned when the announcement was made.

Captain Salvatore Macera has taken over command of the ship for the rest of the voyage. He has been with Princess Cruises since 2000 and is currently leading the crew with assurance that the ship’s operations and passenger safety remain the top priority.

Princess Cruises released a public statement expressing deep sorrow at the loss, stating that Captain Bartolomei was a respected leader known for his professionalism, dedication, and care toward both guests and crew.

The cruise line also stated that they are working closely with the captain’s family and supporting crew members to ensure their emotional well-being during this time.

Bartolomei had been with Princess Cruises since August 1995 and was about to celebrate 30 years with the company. His maritime career began as a cadet on a coal cargo ship and as a crew member on a gas tanker.

He was trained at a nautical school in La Spezia, Italy. He resided in British Columbia, Canada, and had spent 18 seasons sailing Alaska’s Inside Passage, often from Seattle or Vancouver. He also had a passion for fishing and kept his own fishing boat in the Pacific Northwest.

Earlier this year, he participated in a photo session with Captain Mario Consentino aboard Crown Princess.

The Diamond Princess, built in 2004 and with a capacity for around 2,700 guests, is continuing its current itinerary as planned. The ship departed Yokohama on May 16 and visited Keelung in Taiwan for an overnight stay, followed by scheduled stops in Ishigaki and Naha, Japan. The cruise will conclude back in Yokohama on May 25.

After this voyage, the Diamond Princess is set to begin a ten-night cruise around Japan, with stops in ten ports including Shimizu, Nagasaki, Busan (South Korea), Aomori, Sakata, and Kanazawa.

Later this year, the ship will reposition to Singapore for its Southeast Asia winter cruise season, continuing operations through late November.

Princess Cruises reiterated its commitment to guest safety and voyage continuity. “Our highly experienced and professional bridge team will ensure the smooth continuation of the journey,” the company stated.

Messages of condolence have poured in from passengers past and present on social media, many sharing photos and memories of Captain Bartolomei, who died doing what he loved at the age of 52.

References: CruiseHive, cruiseindustrynews

Source: Maritime Shipping News