A cruise ship’s voyage to Mexico and the Bahamas turned into a rescue mission when the boat spotted a small vessel in the waves.
On Sunday, Royal Caribbean’sIcon of the Seas, the new world’s largest cruise ship that launched in January, rescued 14 people who had been stranded at sea for over a week.
IconpassengerAlessandra Amodiotold PEOPLE that the cruise ship was in the midst of an eight-day Caribbean itinerary when they spotted the individuals.
“I was in the lunch buffet with my family when we heard a coded announcement over the loud speakers,” Amodio told PEOPLE, adding that the announcement came at around 3 p.m. local time. “A few minutes later people started gathering at the windows and then the captain came on and announced that they had found a distressed vessel and we would be turning around to investigate. We all rushed to the windows and in the nearish distance we could see in the waves a tiny boat waving either a large white flag or sheet.”
Shortly after, the ship turned around and pulled up next to the boat and “deployed a small zodiac-type rescue boat,” she recalls.
@alessandra_rosee/ LOCAL NEWS X/ TMX
“Eventually we saw Royal Caribbean crew helping about two people from the distressed boat onto the rescue boat before returning to the vessel. They then made a few more trips to safely bring everyone on board.”
According to Amodio, they later found out that the passengers on the small boat had been “lost at sea for eight days.”
Royal Caribbean’s ‘Icon of the Seas’.Royal Caribibean
Royal Caribibean
“We got a final announcement once they were all on board safely telling us there was 14 people on board,” she said, adding that passengers clapped and cheered upon hearing everyone had been rescued safely.
Royal Caribbean’s ‘Icon of the Seas’.Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
The ship was on its first full day of sailing and it was between Cozumel, Mexico and western Cuba when the incident happened.
The cruise liner, which departed from Miami, Florida, was headed to Roatán, Honduras, and Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian island, CocoCay, during its voyage.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Royal Caribbean told PEOPLE in a statement, “On March 3, 2024, Icon of the Seas encountered a small vessel adrift and in need of assistance. The ship’s crew immediately launched a rescue operation, safely bringing 14 people onboard. The crew provided them with medical attention, and is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard.”
A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson toldNewsweekthat the rescue occurred in Mexico’s search-and-rescue area of responsibility.
TheIcon of the Seasmade its maiden voyage out of South Florida in late January. The ship departed from Port Miami and docked at ports including Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico, Basseterre in St. Kitts & Nevis and Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas.
Along with the world’s largest pool and water park at sea, Icon also boasts eight “neighborhoods” to explore and an open-air “Central Park.”
The record-breaking vessel overtook Royal Caribbean’sWonder of the Seas, which formerly held the title of largest cruise ship in the world.
source: people.com
