A crew member aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship, died after falling overboard Thursday evening(July 24) while the ship was en route to the Bahamas, the cruise line confirmed.
The incident happened around 7 pm local time on July 24, approximately 200 miles east of Nassau, near San Salvador Island. According to the cruise line, the crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation after the man fell from the port side of the ship.
“A rescue boat was deployed to help the man, who was pulled from the sea and onto a dinghy once he was located,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, the crew member passed away.”
The company added in its statement,“We extend our condolences to the crew member’s family and loved ones. To respect their privacy, we have no additional details to share.”
The identity of the crew member has not been released. Royal Caribbean has not confirmed whether the fall was accidental or intentional. However, TMZ, citing Royal Bahamas Police, reported that the man is believed to have taken his own life.
Passengers aboard the Icon of the Seas said they saw life rings being dropped into the ocean and the ship slowing down to assist with the emergency. Several areas on the ship were temporarily closed off as the crew responded to the situation.
The ship, which began sailing in January 2024, is the world’s largest cruise vessel. It was on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage and is scheduled to stop at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island, before returning to PortMiami on Saturday, July 26. The company confirmed that the itinerary would continue as planned.
This is not the first overboard incident involving Icon of the Seas. A passenger fell overboard but was rescued in May 2024, though they later died. The cruise industry has faced growing scrutiny over safety protocols related to such incidents.
Royal Caribbean says it is offering support to the crew on board and the family of the deceased as authorities continue their investigation.
The incident happened around 7 pm local time on July 24, approximately 200 miles east of Nassau, near San Salvador Island. According to the cruise line, the crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation after the man fell from the port side of the ship.
“A rescue boat was deployed to help the man, who was pulled from the sea and onto a dinghy once he was located,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, the crew member passed away.”
The company added in its statement,“We extend our condolences to the crew member’s family and loved ones. To respect their privacy, we have no additional details to share.”
The identity of the crew member has not been released. Royal Caribbean has not confirmed whether the fall was accidental or intentional. However, TMZ, citing Royal Bahamas Police, reported that the man is believed to have taken his own life.
Passengers aboard the Icon of the Seas said they saw life rings being dropped into the ocean and the ship slowing down to assist with the emergency. Several areas on the ship were temporarily closed off as the crew responded to the situation.
The ship, which began sailing in January 2024, is the world’s largest cruise vessel. It was on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage and is scheduled to stop at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island, before returning to PortMiami on Saturday, July 26. The company confirmed that the itinerary would continue as planned.
This is not the first overboard incident involving Icon of the Seas. A passenger fell overboard but was rescued in May 2024, though they later died. The cruise industry has faced growing scrutiny over safety protocols related to such incidents.
Royal Caribbean says it is offering support to the crew on board and the family of the deceased as authorities continue their investigation.
