The 1500 passenger tourist ship stuck in Spain's port because of bolivian passenger visa problems

A cruise ship reportedly transporting 1500 passengers was blocked Wednesday in the northeastern Spanish port of Barcelona due to visa problems of a group of bolivian passengers that would land there, officials said.

Authorities say 69 bolivians are not being allowed to leave the ship because they lack valid documents to enter the Schengen area.

Spanish government officials in the city said they are in contact with Bolivian authorities and M company. SC Criises to solve the situation. The ship had sailed from Brazil to cover a road in the Mediterranean Sea.

Spanish state news agency Efe and other media said some 1,500 passengers were already aboard MSC Armony hoping to continue sailing to Croatia.

A statement by the Bolivian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the Bolivian Embassy in Spain and the country's General Consulate in Barcelona “are taking appropriate steps to address this case”, co-ordinating with the Spanish authorities, as well as with the MSC Cruises.

Currently, “Passengers seemed to have the right documentation after boarding Brazil. We have been informed by authorities that visas are not valid for entry into the Schengen area. As a result, passengers have not been able to land in Barcelona, their final destination”.

The company said the ship remained at the port while working with authorities to facilitate the process.