A major cruise through Asia turned somber this week when the captain of the Diamond Princess, Michele Bartolomei, died suddenly during the nearly three-week voyage.
Bartolomei, 52, passed away on May 19 following a medical emergency while the ship was docked in Keelung, Taiwan.
The tragedy unfolded quietly in the early morning hours, before erupting into shock as passengers were notified of the devastating loss in a letter, following an alarming announcement over the ship’s public address system, the Daily Mail has reported.
According to Nine News, the announcement came around 2:00AM, urgently calling the medical team to the center. It wasn’t until later that guests discovered the emergency involved the man steering their ship.
A letter, also shared with passengers, delivered the tragic confirmation: “It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Captain Michele Bartolomei, who died on board Diamond Princess earlier of a sudden medical emergency.”
“Our hearts are with Captain Bartolomei’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” the letter continued, describing him as a “respected leader” with “decades of service at sea.”
A Veteran of the Ocean
According to his LinkedIn profile, per News.com.au, Bartolomei had been with Princess Cruises since August 1995.
“Captain with Princess Cruises, working for this great company since August 1995,” his profile reads.
Princess Cruises added in its statement: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Captain Michele Bartolomei, a beloved member of the Princess Cruises family whose career at sea spanned more than 30 years.”
They called his journey one of “leadership, professionalism, and deep love for the ocean.”
Following Bartolomei’s passing, Captain Salvatore Macera reportedly took over command of the Diamond Princess. “Please be assured that our commitment to your safety and the smooth operation of this voyage remains our utmost priority,” Princess said.
In a statement to VT, a spokesperson for Princess Cruises said: "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. Captain Bartolomei was a respected leader, whose decades of service at sea exemplified professionalism, dedication, and care for both guests and crew.
"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.
"We are working closely with his family to offer support and with the crew to ensure their well-being as they grieve this loss."
Passengers Left Stunned
The ship, which departed Tokyo on May 6 for a 19-day Southern Islands Explorer voyage, was scheduled to visit ports across Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China before returning to Tokyo on May 25.
Many onboard were asleep when the initial emergency call rang out, only to wake hours later to learn it was the captain who had passed. “Vacationers were unnerved by the message, but the real shock came when they learned it was about the man leading the voyage,” reported Crew Center.
A woman aboard the Diamond Princess reflected: “His dedication will always be remembered.” Others flooded social media with tributes to the captain, with many expressing heartbreak for both his family and the ship’s crew.
“I am so sorry for his family and also for the staff and crew members on that ship,” one user wrote on TikTok. Another added, “Thoughts to his family. I worked with his wife on Princess back in the day. So very tragic for this family.”
A Life at Sea — and a Legacy Left Behind
Bartolomei, who lived in Canada and trained at nautical schools in Italy, was described by close friend Dave Wallensky as “a legend on the sea” who adored his family and enjoyed fishing in his downtime.
“I’m absolutely shattered,” Wallensky wrote. “He was one of the best things that happened to me and Lesleigh [another captain] and we spent the night last night sobbing. And laughing about what we did together. And sobbing again.”
The cruise line extended its condolences not only to Bartolomei’s loved ones but to the wider Princess community. “We also stand in support of the Diamond Princess crew and all team members across our fleet mourning this loss,” the company said.
As with all major liners, the Diamond Princess is equipped with an onboard morgue — typically a stainless steel, refrigerated room located on the lowest deck — designed to hold up to 10 deceased individuals if necessary, according to The New York Times.
Our thoughts go out to the Bartolomei family as well as the passengers and crew on board.