A crew member aboard the Princess cruise ship Regal Princess died after going overboard off the coast of Cancun, prompting a search and rescue operation. The incident occurred on Monday, several days after the ship departed from Port Everglades in Florida.
A spokesperson for Princess Cruises confirmed the death and stated that "heartfelt condolences go out to the crew's family and friends during this difficult time." The cruise line added that grief support services are being offered to guests and crew members affected by the event. Princess Cruises expressed gratitude to local maritime authorities and the crew of the Carnival Jubilee for their assistance in the search efforts.
The identity and occupation of the crew member have not been released, and the circumstances leading to them going overboard remain unclear. Passengers on board reported that the search for the crew member lasted for at least six hours before the tragic news was announced.
Michelle Richeson, who runs the cruise guide SeaChelle Adventures and was on the ship, told the Daily Mail that officials conducted the extensive search before the announcement of the fatality. The search caused the Regal Princess to miss its scheduled stop in Cozumel, though the week-long voyage has since resumed.
David Jimenez, another passenger, described to CBS News Miami how the ship retraced its path, slowing down and circling at times. He also noted that the crew provided hourly updates to passengers regarding the search and indicated that the crew appeared to follow established procedures.
Passengers shared photos online depicting emergency vessels deployed alongside the ship and officials patrolling the deck during the rescue operations. Kimberly Shiley Byers, a passenger, shared on Facebook that her family made the best of the situation while sending prayers to the crew member's loved ones.
Another passenger, Pam Holland Boyd, noted on Facebook that the ship adopted a somber tone following the incident. She observed that the crew members endeavored to maintain normalcy in their duties and that the daily itinerary was rearranged with activities for passengers, though the overall energy on board reflected the loss of life. Boyd also commended Princess Cruises' staff for their professionalism during the difficult circumstances.
Princess has rescheduled the excursion to Cozumel for Thursday. The ship is slated to make stops in Belize and Honduras before its planned return to Florida on Saturday. The cruise line has not disclosed the crew member's identity or their specific role on the ship. The Daily Mail has contacted the cruise line for further information.