Princess Cruises tells PEOPLE that Captain Michele Bartolomei died while in the middle of a 19-day cruise
Bartolomei suffered a “sudden medical emergency” while the ship was in Taiwan
Passengers were informed of the captain’s death via a letter shared to their cabins
A cruise captain died at sea in the middle of a 19-day cruise, PEOPLE has confirmed.
Captain Michele Bartolomei was captaining the Diamond Princess cruise when he died suddenly on May 19 following a medical emergency while the ship was in Taiwan.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Captain Michele Bartolomei, who had a sudden medical emergency and died onboard Diamond Princess,” Princess Cruises tells PEOPLE in a statement. “Captain Bartolomei was a respected leader, whose decades of service at sea exemplified professionalism, dedication, and care for both guests and crew.”
Princess Cruises added, “Our hearts are with Captain Bartolomei’s family during this incredibly difficult time, and we extend our deepest condolences to them. We also stand in support of the entire Diamond Princess crew and all employees across our company who had the honor of working alongside him.”
The company says it’s working closely with Bartolomei’s family and crew members to “ensure their well-being.”
According to 9News, passengers were informed of the captain’s death via a letter delivered to their cabins. The letter shared that Captain Salvatore Macera would be taking over for Bartolomei for the remainder of the trip.
In the letter, shared by Crew Center, Captain Macera assured passengers, “that our commitment to your safety and the smooth operation of this voyage remains our utmost priority.”
The cruise ship is set to conclude its trip on May 25 in Yokohama, Japan, according to The Street.
Bartolomei was set to celebrate 30 years with Princess Cruises this year, according to his LinkedIn page.
