Local Musicians, Lawmakers Help Bring Oklahoma Man Stranded On Cruise Ship Home

The COVID-19 pandemic left an Oklahoma musician stranded for weeks on a cruise ship in the Middle East. Lawmakers and Oklahoma City metro musicians recently stepped in to bring Logan Gorrell, 23, home. Gorrell is expected to touch ground in Oklahoma on Saturday.

Stranded on a cruise ship in Dubai was not what 23-year-old musician had in mind when he left Oklahoma in January.

His job was to entertain passengers on the Norwegian Jade cruise ship. But as the deadly COVID-19 virus spread, Gorrell and other musicians found themselves on lockdown.

“He’s expressed how difficult it is to not even be able to get together to play music for fun,” said Brian Gorrell, musician’s father. “Because they would do that if they could.”

On top of that, Gorrell was furloughed by the cruise line and is not making any money.

“That makes it sting a little more,” said Gorrell. “It’s one thing if you’re working and still getting paid but to just basically sit.”

The Gorrells reached out to state and DC lawmakers to help bring their son home. They found out this week that the Dubai airport re-opened and there was one flight back to the United States.

The Gorrells rallied their family, friends and local musicians to raise money for a plane ticket. They raised enough money in two days to buy a ticket.

“We’ve had a lot of people praying for him in his safety and return,” said Mickey Gorrell, musician’s mother. “We have a lot of people to thank for that. Oklahomans are really great about that.”

They now hope their efforts will encourage others who may have loved ones, stranded in other parts of the world.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help for starters,” said Gorrell. “That’s what our representatives and government officials are there for.”

They said Logan has remained healthy the entire time despite travelling through China and the Middle East.