LIMASSOL, Cyprus — As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, U.S. officials are working to evacuate Americans who found themselves stuck in the crossfire.
The most recent helping hand came from Royal Caribbean who worked with the State Department to relocate Americans who were in Israel, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The cruise line's Rhapsody of the Seas ship reportedly traveled out to the port of Haifa on Monday and moved passengers to Limassol, Cyprus.
According to CruiseMapper, the ship is still docked there as of Tuesday morning.
In an email to employees shared with USA Today, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty explains the ship is "providing free passage, including accommodation and food, for Americans in the region wishing to leave and find safer ground."
The U.S. Embassy in Israel allegedly explained in a security alert over the week that boarding would start at 8 a.m. on Monday.
Americans and their immediate family members with proper travel documents were able to leave Israel to travel to Cyprus.
USA Today reports travelers were responsible for arranging their own accommodations and or other travel plans once reaching Cyprus. Chartered flights were reportedly being arranged, as well.
“This has truly been an incredible effort as our teams worked tirelessly over the past week to make this mission possible,” Liberty wrote in the email, shared with the newspaper. “My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all involved and especially to the ship’s officers and crew for their unwavering support of this call to serve others in the midst of unimaginable tragedy.”
According to Royal Caribbean's website, Rhapsody of the Seas can hold a total of 2,416 guests on board at once.
