The search for a 66-year-old guest who went overboard near Nassau in the Bahamas has been suspended pending further developments.
The Taylor Swift-themed Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas left Miami, Florida, on Monday for a four-night itinerary before returning this Friday. Unfortunately, on Tuesday, tragedy struck the cruise ship after one guest went overboard.
The incident on the Oasis-class Royal Caribbean cruise ship occurred at 9:40 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, approximately 17 miles from the Bahamian capital of Nassau, the Coast Guard reported (via Click Orlando). The Royal Bahamas Defense Force had taken the lead in the hunt for the 66-year-old, they added.
“The Coast Guard added that it had diverted an HC-144 airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter from Air Station Miami to assist with the search,” reported People. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Cruises told the outlet, “We are also providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. To respect the privacy of our guest’s family, we have no additional details to share.”
Unfortunately, the search for the missing woman was called off by the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, as the U.S. Coast Guard (@USCGSoutheast) explained on X (formerly Twitter):
#UPDATE #FINAL “We were informed by @TheRBDF this afternoon that they are suspending the active search efforts pending further developments & were no longer requesting further @USCG assistance,” said Lt. Connor Pascale, Coast Guard liaison officer. @USEmbassyNassau #SAR
#UPDATE #FINAL "We were informed by @TheRBDF this afternoon that they are suspending the active search efforts pending further developments & were no longer requesting further @USCG assistance,” said Lt. Connor Pascale, Coast Guard liaison officer.@USEmbassyNassau #SAR pic.twitter.com/Vnn0NqD8BZ
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) October 23, 2024
Reports are circulating stating that officials confirmed to TMZ that the 66-year-old woman jumped from the 14th floor. Passenger Ashley, who went to the top deck to see what was happening, told TMZ Live (via the Daily Mail) that the incident caused chaos onboard.
“I stayed up there for about three hours, just watching, praying, and wondering what was happening,’ the guest recalled. She explained that a Royal Caribbean sister ship, Utopia of the Seas, eventually aided the search. “Another sister ship came over, and we were both doing rotating searches, along with a plane and a helicopter that came around midnight.”
It is unknown if the 66-year-old guest was part of the Swiftie group that boarded the Allure of the Seas following Taylor Swift‘s sold-out shows at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami the previous weekend.
“The trip, which is not affiliated with Swift, was hosted by travel agents Jessica Malerman, Nicole Rivera, and Shelby Reyes of Marvelous Mouse Travels,” NBC News reported on the “In My Cruise Era” event. “The trio worked with Royal Caribbean to host private events centered on Swift and her Eras Tour, according to the group’s website. Events included a welcome cocktail party, karaoke, friendship bracelet swapping, “Taylor Trivia,” and “Nightly eras outfit themes.”
The cruise ship is due to return to Miami on Friday.
Disney Fanatic will continue to update this news story.
