florida cruise ship picks up refugees

‘Surprising and Amazing': Passengers Describe Cruise Ship Migrant Rescue Near Bahamas

Royal caribbean’s liberty of the seas rescued 17 cuban migrants after it encountered a small vessel adrift and in need of assistance, company officials said, by victor jorges • published january 16, 2023 • updated on january 16, 2023 at 12:28 pm.

Vacationers who were aboard a South Florida cruise ship that rescued a group of migrants adrift at sea over the weekend said it was a matter of life or death for the people on the small boat.

Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas rescued 17 Cuban migrants after it encountered a small vessel adrift and in need of assistance, company officials said.

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Cristina Brundick was on the ship and she spoke about the moment they brought the migrants to safety.

"It was freezing cold outside. I mean, I just thought to myself, I probably wouldn't have made it,” she said. "The captain got on, you know, the P.A. system. He was saying that they would have never lived."

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Brundick was on vacation with her friends for a bachelorette party. They were eating breakfast one morning when they noticed something odd far away.

"We saw something in the distance, but we weren't exactly sure what it was because we're in the middle of the ocean. We don't even know where we are,” she said. “So it kept getting a little bit closer, a little bit closer. And then we noticed there was a flag."

That’s the moment the vacation turned into a rescue mission and a moment she’ll never forget.

"It was actually literally the saddest thing because life had to be so bad for these 17 or 20 people to actually get on a boat with no motor and be at sea for 15 days," she said.

The captain later thanked the passengers for their understanding and announced the mission had been completed.

"You were able to hear on the radio when it was a successful mission. It was 17 refugees that were from Cuba,” said Lauren Lavarias, who was also on board the cruise ship.

Lavarias said she can’t even imagine what the migrants on that boat without a motor endured to reach freedom.

"They've been out to sea for 15 days, she said. "So that's even before New Year's. That was surprising and amazing at the same time."

U.S. Coast Guard officials said that since the migrants were found in Bahamian waters, the island’s government will lead the investigation.

Large numbers of Cuban and Haitian migrants have taken to the sea in recent months to try to reach the U.S. Around 5,000 Cuban migrants have been interdicted at sea since Oct. 1, 2022, compared to 6,100 Cubans intercepted suring the previous 12-month fiscal year, officials said.

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Nineteen Cuban refugees are shown aboard their makeshift raft before they were rescued by The Celebrity Beyond cruise ship off South Florida on Monday.

Ellen Fulton/Courtesy

Migrants are helped aboard a tender from the Caribbean Princess on Dec. 19, 2022, north of the Cuban coast.

Migrants are helped aboard the Caribbean Princess on Dec. 19, 2022, north of the Cuban coast. (Ellen Fulton/Courtesy)

Early Tuesday morning. the Celebrity ship “Beyond” arrived at Port Everglades with not only its full complement of passengers but 19 Cuban refugees who had been rescued from their makeshift boat off the Florida coast.

City of Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman was among the vacationers aboard. Quickly, he said, any thoughts of a vacation took a back seat in the face of concerns for the refugees’ health and safety.

“It makes you realize every day how blessed we really are,” he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “You have to be very desperate to put yourself in harm’s way with just a hope of a better life.”

“All I thought about was how wonderful it was that we were able to get them out of the water,” he added. “That vessel they were using was very rickety. My only thought was getting them to safety and making sure they were healthy.”

Ellen Fulton, an amateur photographer from Fort Lauderdale, felt the same as she watched her ship, the Caribbean Princess, encounter a makeshift sailing vessel on Dec. 19 off the Cuban coast. The ramshackle craft consisted of barrels, Styrofoam and wooden boards carried 14 people. The words, “Libertad o Muerte,” [Liberty or Death) were prominently displayed on its sail.

“It has been a touching experience for us on this ship,” she said. “Proud to be here and it is a huge reminder of all we take for granted.”

Fulton, who teaches leadership coaching for George Mason University, said she initially thought passengers might be agitated by the unscheduled stop, which lasted three hours.

“I anticipated there might be some bitter people,” she said. “But people were pretty amazed and supportive that they just possibly saved a lot of lives.”

The ship, she said, found the migrants at a point that was nowhere near landfall.

“For everybody on the ship this was life-changing,” Fulton said. “It was such a powerful experience.”

Ships are legally obliged to stop and rescue people in distress at sea by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, regardless of their nationality or circumstances, said Coral Gables maritime attorney Michael Moore of Moore & Co. But the principle isn’t universally applied, as commercial operators for financial reasons have been known to dress down captains who stop.

“They are required to render assistance,” he said. “I’ve never heard anyone being prosecuted for failure to assist.”

New Year’s weekend rescues

The Celebrity ship that carried Glassman, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration rescued two dozen migrants in recent days, according to The Associated Press, citing law enforcement officials.

The refugees were among the latest arrivals of hundreds seeking new lives after reaching the Florida Keys over the last several days. Overall, an estimated 300 migrants arrived at the sparsely populated Dry Tortugas National Park , about 70 miles west of Key West.

Another 160 arrived by boat in other parts of the Keys over the weekend. On Monday, about 30 people in two groups were found in the Middle Keys.

Once the migrants were rescued from their drifting craft by the Celebration on Monday, they were taken into custody by the U.S. Coast Guard offshore, said Carnival spokesman Matt Lupoli in a statement sent to the Sun Sentinel.

“The crew on board Carnival Celebration spotted five people in distress on a small vessel 25 nautical miles northwest of Cuba Monday and, as is customary, stopped to help them,” he said. “After rescuing the five people adrift at sea, the ship’s crew coordinated with United States Coast Guard officials and rendezvoused with them near Key West.”

“The ship resumed on its voyage with its scheduled itinerary unaffected and Carnival Celebration returned to Miami on Tuesday morning after a week-long Caribbean cruise,” Lupoli said.

Capt. Kate McCue, skipper of the Celebrity’s Beyond, posted a video on social media of Monday’s rescue of migrants by her company’s ship. McCue reported turning her ship around after her chief officer noticed a glimmer on the horizon that turned out to be migrants.

After taking the migrants aboard, the crew provided blankets, a change of clothes, food and a medical evaluation, she said.

“Thank you to all the crew who made this rescue possible,” McCue wrote.

Mike Silva, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said late Tuesday that the migrants rescued by the Celebrity Beyond included two women and 17 men. All were “still being processed” and given food and clothing.

“They will be turned over to family members here in the states,” he said. “I’m sure they will be given a future court date.”

Sheriff irked by feds

The U.S. Government’s response to the jump in migrant arrivals has placed undue pressure on local law enforcement, said Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsey.

In a news release, he said the U.S. Border Patrol told his office that the federal response to some arrivals might have to wait a day.

“Refugee arrivals require a lot of resources from the Sheriff’s Office as we help our federal law enforcement partners ensure the migrants are in good health and safe,” said Ramsay, whose jurisdiction covers the Keys. “This shows a lack of a working plan by the federal government to deal with a mass migration issue that was foreseeable.”

This story was supplemented by information from The Associated Press.

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A cruise ship rescues 68 migrants and finds 5 bodies in a boat adrift in the Atlantic Ocean

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MADRID (AP) — A cruise ship rescued 68 migrants and found five bodies in a traditional fishing boat that was drifting off the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Spain’s maritime rescue agency said Thursday.

It said an oil tanker traveling from northwestern Spain to Brazil spotted the drifting boat on Wednesday afternoon about 815 kilometers (506 miles) south of Tenerife, one of the seven islands in the Canaries archipelago.

Spanish authorities diverted the Insignia, a cruise ship, to rescue the migrants. The Insignia crew also recovered three of the five bodies on the fishing boat. The remains of two people were left at sea because of bad weather hampering their recovery.

The canoe-shaped boats, known as pirogues, are used by fishermen in Mauritania and Senegal.

It is unusual for cruise ships to make rescues of migrants on the Atlantic route, but the pirogue “was a long way out and they could be in danger,” said a maritime rescue’s spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity under departmental rules.

One of the passengers on the cruise ship, Steve Dilbeck from Huntington Beach, California, said they were not told about the dead.

“They did say the boat had been at sea for 20 days,” Dilbeck told The Associated Press in a text message. “We were diverted in the evening and took us two hours to reach them. They were brought on board and placed in the Insignia Lounge, which is where they have all their shows.”

“The area has been closed off to passengers. Told they had them remove their clothes and put on jumpsuits. Then they asked passengers if they had shoes and clothes they could donate, particularly for men. Their announcement said 62 were men, with the rest women and children,” he added.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Insignia had left Mindelo, a port city in Cape Verde, on Tuesday. Its operator, Miami-based Oceania Cruises, did not immediately comment on the rescue.

The Spanish rescue agency emailed a statement saying the Insignia is expected to arrive on Friday at the port of Santa Cruz, Tenerife.

The Canary Islands is a destination for boats packed with migrants departing from northwestern Africa on a perilous Atlantic route in search of a better life in Europe.

Spain’s Interior Ministry says a record 55,618 migrants arrived by boat — most of them in the Canary Islands — last year, almost double the number of the previous year. More than 23,000 have landed so far this year, the ministry said.

The Spanish nonprofit organization Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) says more than 5,000 migrants have died so far this year through May while trying to reach Spanish coasts, most of them on the Atlantic route. The figure for all 2023 was 6,600, more than double the number for 2022.

Associated Press writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration

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Florida-bound msc meraviglia cruise ship saves 24 migrants in distress.

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A cruise ship bound for Florida rescued 24 migrants from a boat in distress – on the same day another vacation vessel plucked 17 Cubans who had been adrift for weeks.

The MSC Meraviglia, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, was returning from Cozumel, Mexico, to the Space Coast on Saturday when it came across the small boat, Florida Today reported .

“Our crew notified the United States Coast Guard and started a rescue operation immediately,” the Italian MSC Cruises said in a statement.

“All 24 of the boat’s occupants (were brought) on board MSC Meraviglia, where they were checked by medical personnel and provided accommodations until the ship reaches Port Canaveral,” it said.

“The 24 who were rescued disembarked once the ship docked on Sunday morning,” the statement added.

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US Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Nicole Groll did not provide details about the incident but said cruise ships that rescue migrants transfer them to the Customs and Border Protection officials for processing.

The rescue came on the same day that Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas cruise ship bound for CocoCay in the Bahamas rescued 17 Cuban migrants  who were spotted aboard a makeshift boat.

“While en route to The Bahamas, Liberty of the Seas encountered a small vessel adrift and in need of assistance,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

Between Jan. 6 and Friday, Coast Guard vessels repatriated 824 Cubans and 83 Haitians while patrolling the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passes, Florida Today reported.

The Coast Guard also said it interdicted 13 illegal ventures preventing 239 migrants from landing in the US.

“We urge anyone considering attempting the always dangerous and very often deadly illegal maritime migration routes to not risk their lives by taking to the sea,” said Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District.

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Cruise ships save 2 dozen migrants on boats near Florida Keys, officials say

“We are grateful for our crew’s quick action," Celebrity Cruises said.

Two cruise lines rescued two dozen people on small boats on Monday, cruise officials told ABC News.

Staff on the Fort Lauderdale-bound Celebrity Beyond ship rescued 19 people from a boat Monday and provided them food, shelter and medical services, the ship’s Capt. Kate McCue said in a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday.

“We are grateful for our crew’s quick action and the lives saved as a result,” Celebrity Cruises told ABC News in a statement.

MORE: Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida Keys closes after hundreds of migrants arrive

Additionally, crew members from the Carnival Celebration noticed five people about 29 miles northwest of Cuba and stopped to help them, company spokesperson Matt Lupoli told ABC News in a statement.

The crew reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and met up with them near Key West, Florida.

After that, "The ship resumed on its voyage with its scheduled itinerary unaffected and Carnival Celebration returned to Miami on Tuesday morning after a week-long Caribbean cruise," Lupoli said.

The Coast Guard did not respond to request for comment.

The rescues came the same day as Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys announced Monday it would close to the public after an influx of migrant landings over the past few days shut down operations at the park there.

MORE: Where historic number of migrants is coming from and why: ANALYSIS

"Homeland Security Task Force - Southeast is aware of multiple migrant landings this weekend on Dry Tortugas National Park and the Marquesas. The U.S. Coast Guard and partner federal, state and local components in HSTF-SE are coordinating efforts to recover the individuals currently stranded on the remote, uninhabited islands," Rear Adm. Brendan C. McPherson, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District and director of Homeland Security Task Force, said in a statement.

Dry Tortugas is a 100-square-mile park located 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. It comprises seven small islands and is accessible only by boat or seaplane.

ABC News' Armando Garcia contributed to this report.

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Carnival cruise ship out of Tampa rescues 24 refugees adrift at sea off coast of Cuba

by: Jeff Patterson

Posted: Aug 5, 2022 / 06:49 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 6, 2022 / 01:56 PM EDT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Carnival cruise ship Paradise returned to Tampa on Thursday with more passengers on board than when it left.

During a trip to Honduras and Mexico, the ship’s captain came to the rescue of two dozen refugees from Cuba.

Herman Bips was a passenger on the Carnival Paradise out of Tampa. He told WFLA’s Jeff Patterson he noticed a change in speed during the trip this week.

“It was Sunday afternoon around 4 o’clock and the ship felt like it was stopping,” said Bips.

On the horizon, he could see a small dot that looked like a boat. When the cruise ship got closer, Bips could see an overloaded vessel in bad shape.

“Very poor. Someone said it was actually leaking and they were bailing,” said Bips.

The captain of the cruise ship announced to his passengers that, under maritime law, he would render aide and assistance to the vessel in trouble.

“At that point, I think he knew that he had to take the people on board,” Bips said. “I understand they gave them clothing, medical attention, water, food but they isolated them to a specific area.”

A spokesperson for the Carnival cruise line confirmed the Paradise rescued 24 people on a small boat that was adrift southwest of Cuba. The ship’s crew provided food, water and medical assistance to the people who were on the small boat.

When the Paradise returned to port in Tampa this week, 21 men and three women from Cuba were turned over to the custody of the U.S. Coast Guard.

“I was very sad, I mean it almost brought tears to my eyes that people were so desperate to leave a country and put themselves – kind of like a long shot. You know – if we hadn’t seen them, they probably would have drowned,” said Bips.

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Florida cruise ships pick up refugees at sea

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Steve Glassman/Courtesy

Nineteen Cuban refugees are shown aboard their makeshift raft before they were rescued by The Celebrity Beyond cruise ship off South Florida on Monday.

Ellen Fulton/Courtesy

Migrants are helped aboard a tender from the Caribbean Princess on Dec. 19, 2022, north of the Cuban coast.

Migrants are helped aboard the Caribbean Princess on Dec. 19, 2022, north of the Cuban coast. (Ellen Fulton/Courtesy)

Early Tuesday morning. the Celebrity ship “Beyond” arrived at Port Everglades with not only its full complement of passengers but 19 Cuban refugees who had been rescued from their makeshift boat off the Florida coast.

City of Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman was among the vacationers aboard. Quickly, he said, any thoughts of a vacation took a back seat in the face of concerns for the refugees’ health and safety.

“It makes you realize every day how blessed we really are,” he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “You have to be very desperate to put yourself in harm’s way with just a hope of a better life.”

“All I thought about was how wonderful it was that we were able to get them out of the water,” he added. “That vessel they were using was very rickety. My only thought was getting them to safety and making sure they were healthy.”

Ellen Fulton, an amateur photographer from Fort Lauderdale, felt the same as she watched her ship, the Caribbean Princess, encounter a makeshift sailing vessel on Dec. 19 off the Cuban coast. The ramshackle craft consisted of barrels, Styrofoam and wooden boards carried 14 people. The words, “Libertad o Muerte,” [Liberty or Death) were prominently displayed on its sail.

“It has been a touching experience for us on this ship,” she said. “Proud to be here and it is a huge reminder of all we take for granted.”

Fulton, who teaches leadership coaching for George Mason University, said she initially thought passengers might be agitated by the unscheduled stop, which lasted three hours.

“I anticipated there might be some bitter people,” she said. “But people were pretty amazed and supportive that they just possibly saved a lot of lives.”

The ship, she said, found the migrants at a point that was nowhere near landfall.

“For everybody on the ship this was life-changing,” Fulton said. “It was such a powerful experience.”

Ships are legally obliged to stop and rescue people in distress at sea by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, regardless of their nationality or circumstances, said Coral Gables maritime attorney Michael Moore of Moore & Co. But the principle isn’t universally applied, as commercial operators for financial reasons have been known to dress down captains who stop.

“They are required to render assistance,” he said. “I’ve never heard anyone being prosecuted for failure to assist.”

New Year’s weekend rescues

The Celebrity ship that carried Glassman, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration rescued two dozen migrants in recent days, according to The Associated Press, citing law enforcement officials.

The refugees were among the latest arrivals of hundreds seeking new lives after reaching the Florida Keys over the last several days. Overall, an estimated 300 migrants arrived at the sparsely populated Dry Tortugas National Park , about 70 miles west of Key West.

Another 160 arrived by boat in other parts of the Keys over the weekend. On Monday, about 30 people in two groups were found in the Middle Keys.

Once the migrants were rescued from their drifting craft by the Celebration on Monday, they were taken into custody by the U.S. Coast Guard offshore, said Carnival spokesman Matt Lupoli in a statement sent to the Sun Sentinel.

“The crew on board Carnival Celebration spotted five people in distress on a small vessel 25 nautical miles northwest of Cuba Monday and, as is customary, stopped to help them,” he said. “After rescuing the five people adrift at sea, the ship’s crew coordinated with United States Coast Guard officials and rendezvoused with them near Key West.”

“The ship resumed on its voyage with its scheduled itinerary unaffected and Carnival Celebration returned to Miami on Tuesday morning after a week-long Caribbean cruise,” Lupoli said.

Capt. Kate McCue, skipper of the Celebrity’s Beyond, posted a video on social media of Monday’s rescue of migrants by her company’s ship. McCue reported turning her ship around after her chief officer noticed a glimmer on the horizon that turned out to be migrants.

After taking the migrants aboard, the crew provided blankets, a change of clothes, food and a medical evaluation, she said.

“Thank you to all the crew who made this rescue possible,” McCue wrote.

Mike Silva, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said late Tuesday that the migrants rescued by the Celebrity Beyond included two women and 17 men. All were “still being processed” and given food and clothing.

“They will be turned over to family members here in the states,” he said. “I’m sure they will be given a future court date.”

Sheriff irked by feds

The U.S. Government’s response to the jump in migrant arrivals has placed undue pressure on local law enforcement, said Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsey.

In a news release, he said the U.S. Border Patrol told his office that the federal response to some arrivals might have to wait a day.

“Refugee arrivals require a lot of resources from the Sheriff’s Office as we help our federal law enforcement partners ensure the migrants are in good health and safe,” said Ramsay, whose jurisdiction covers the Keys. “This shows a lack of a working plan by the federal government to deal with a mass migration issue that was foreseeable.”

This story was supplemented by information from The Associated Press.

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Carnival cruise ship rescues nearly 30 people from adrift vessel

A Carnival Cruise Line ship rescued nearly 30 people who were stuck at sea on Sunday.

The crew on Carnival Paradise saved 28 Cuban nationals who were signaling for help on a vessel that was adrift around 2:30 p.m. The cruise ship was headed from Tampa, Florida, to Roatan in Honduras at the time.

“The bridge team onboard spotted the vessel and turned the ship around to rescue them,” Carnival said in a news release . “All were taken aboard, given food and were seen by the medical team.” The cruise line also notified the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West and officials in Roatan.

The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

The ship was set to visit Roatan on Monday. Carnival Paradise is on a five-day Caribbean cruise that departed from Tampa on Saturday, according to CruiseMapper .

The news comes after Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex ship rescued seven people in a small vessel adrift between Cuba and Mexico earlier this month. Another Carnival ship, Carnival Jubilee, also rescued two people stuck in a kayak off the coast of Mexico’s Isla Mujeres in January.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Cruise ships rescue migrants stranded off South Florida coast

Tuesday: 40+ cubans land in florida keys, 2 hospitalized overnight.

Trent Kelly , Reporter

Saira Anwer , Reporter

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MIAMI – Crews from two cruise ships rescued groups of migrants stranded off the South Florida coast Monday, as record numbers of Cubans head to the Florida shores in what officials are calling an “unprecedented” humanitarian crisis .

Videos from passengers and crew of the Carnival Celebration, on its way to PortMiami, and the Celebrity Beyond, on its way to Port Everglades, showed the crews of each ship rescuing stranded migrants.

On the Celebration, passengers said the ship’s cruise director made an announcement at around 11 a.m. that a raft with several migrants had been spotted in the water and that the migrants appeared to be in need of help.

At that point, the ship then circled back to pick up the migrants, who, according to some passengers, had been without food or water for several days.

The ship returned to Miami Tuesday.

Noon reports:

“They announced over the ship that there was a raft in the water with five immigrants on it and we stopped and they did a little donut in the water and picked them up and then the Coast Guard came and got them,” Celebration passenger Olivia O’Brien said. “It was pretty cool to see.”

They were eventually taken on board, before eventually being handed over to the custody of the U.S. Coast Guard.

“The crew on board Carnival Celebration spotted five people in distress on a small vessel 25 nautical miles northwest of Cuba (Monday) and, as is customary, stopped to help them,” Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli said in a statement to Local 10 News. “After rescuing the five people adrift at sea, the ship’s crew coordinated with United States Coast Guard officials.”

Crews on a Celebrity Cruises ship made a rescue of their own.

Video posted on Instagram by Kate McCue, the captain of the Celebrity Beyond, shows the rescue of 19 Cuban migrants from start to finish Monday.

WATCH: Celebrity Beyond rescues migrants (@captainkatemccue)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Captain Kate McCue (@captainkatemccue)

The ship was passing Cuba on its way back to Fort Lauderdale.

After providing the migrants with food, water and a change of clothes, the crew turned the 19 Cubans over to the U.S. Coast Guard.

“We were all clapping,” Beyond passenger Jimena Espinosa said. “It was a very emotional moment. I think it’s impressive the captain saw it and did something about it.”

Under maritime law, cruise ships are required to help those in distress at sea.

“We’ve been on a lot of cruises before and this was a first time,” Beyond passenger Orlando Montl said. “It’s very moving, you know? It’s very sad.”

Local 10 News later learned that a Virgin Voyages ship rescued a group of migrants 40 nautical miles south of Key West.

Landings continue unabated

Officials in the Florida Keys reported another migrant landing in the Florida Keys Tuesday.

Overnight, sources tell Local 10 News that 27 Cubans landed near Mile Marker 88 in Islamorada.

Two migrants were taken to the hospital.

Their condition is unclear as of Tuesday morning.

Later Tuesday morning, a group of approximately 20 migrants landed in Key West, officials with the U.S. Border Patrol said.

Copyright 2023 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About the Authors

Trent kelly.

Trent Kelly is an award-winning multimedia journalist who joined the Local 10 News team in June 2018. Trent is no stranger to Florida. Born in Tampa, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he graduated with honors from the UF College of Journalism and Communications.

Saira Anwer

Saira Anwer joined the Local 10 News team in July 2018. Saira is two-time Emmy-nominated reporter and comes to South Florida from Madison, Wisconsin, where she was working as a reporter and anchor.

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'We could see in the waves a tiny boat," passenger Alessandra Amodio tells PEOPLE of the incident that happened aboard the Icon of the Seas on Sunday

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’s Icon 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.

Icon passenger Alessandra Amodio told 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.

Related: Carnival Cruise Ship Rescues 24 People from Small Boat That Was Sinking Off Coast of Florida

"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."

"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.

"Our first reaction was shock, I’ve been on six or so cruises and I’ve never experienced anything even close to this," Amodio continued. "During the rescue everyone was more shocked and the general consensus was that this wasn’t something anyone ever thought would be happening. It was crazy to see, even knowing where they were in the water, once they dropped the flag, they were hard to spot. Just seeing this small boat you knew was filled with people surrounded by the vastness of the water was enough to freak you out. "

Related: What the World’s Largest Cruise Ship Is Really Like, from a Passenger Aboard Its First Voyage (Exclusive)

The ship was on its first full day of sailing and it was between Cozumel, Mexico and western Cuba when the incident happened.

"We weren’t told by the captain or crew what happened to them," Amodio added of the rescued individuals.  

The cruise liner, which departed from Miami, Florida, was headed to Roatán, Honduras, and Royal Caribbean's private Bahamian island, CocoCay, during its voyage.

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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 told Newsweek that the rescue occurred in Mexico's search-and-rescue area of responsibility.

The Icon of the Seas made 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’s Wonder of the Seas , which formerly held the title of largest cruise ship in the world.

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Read the original article on People .

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• CCL's ship Carnival Sunrise rescues Cuban refugees in the...

CCL's ship Carnival Sunrise rescues Cuban refugees in the Florida Straits

The Carnival Sunrise ship rescued 12 Cuban refugees from an unseaworthy boat en route to Florida (Miami USA) on Friday evening, July 29, 2022.

The crew of the CCL-Carnival Cruise Line 's vessel noticed the people in the Straits of Florida, south of Key West Island .

The ship did her duty to help people in distress and brought the 12 Cubans from the small boat onboard. To do this, Sunrise went off course and reduced speed. The ship docked at PortMiami Florida on time and handed over the rescued to local authorities.

In 2022 there have been several times about maritime rescues by United States cruise ships in the Caribbean.

Carnival Sunrise operates in the Caribbean and at the time of the accident was on a 5-day Western Caribbean itinerary with call ports in Jamaica (Ocho Rios)  and the Caymans (Grand Cayman).

For more Carnival Sunrise incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page .

Oasis of the Seas cruise ship picks up 23 Cuban refugees

The world's largest cruise ship picked up 23 Cuban refugees in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday.

Royal Caribbean 's 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas was sailing from Falmouth, Jamaica, to Cozumel, Mexico, when it spotted a small boat, said the line in a statement. Oasis approached the boat and picked up 23 refugees, including 19 men and four women. (Thanks to Cruise Critic member bajathree , who's onboard, for the tip.) 

Once onboard, the refugees received food, water and medical treatment, said the line. Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez told Cruise Critic that the new passengers were housed in Oasis' conference room with a few crewmembers until the ship arrived in Cozumel this morning.

According to Royal Caribbean, the U.S. Coast Guard was notified, as is the line's standard practice when dealing with distressed mariners. At the direction of the U.S.C.G, the 23 Cuban citizens were disembarked in Cozumel, where they were handed over to the Mexican authorities. 

Passenger and youtuber Spensaf1 posted a video of the refugees being handed life jackets and then transferred from their makeshift craft to a yellow boat. One of the onlookers can be heard saying, "it's lobster night tonight. Going to be eating pretty well tonight."

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What Happens When Refugees Are Picked Up By Carnival Cruise Ship?

Imagine finding yourself in a desperate situation, far away from home and in desperate need of help. Now picture being rescued by none other than a Carnival Cruise ship, known for its luxury and extravagant vacations. Sounds like something out of a movie, right? Well, believe it or not, it’s a very real scenario that happens more often than you might think. But what exactly happens when refugees are picked up by a Carnival Cruise ship? In this article, we’ll explore the incredible efforts made by these floating resorts to ensure the safety and well-being of those seeking refuge at sea. Get ready to embark on a heartwarming journey filled with compassion, support, and a shining example of humanity at its finest.

Table of Contents

When refugees are picked up at sea by a Carnival Cruise Ship, it is important to ensure their safety, provide medical care, and navigate the legal and administrative processes. Once onboard, these individuals are given temporary accommodations, access to food and water, and essential services like showers and sanitation facilities. They are also provided with legal assistance, healthcare, and support for their overall well-being. The ultimate goal is to facilitate their integration and resettlement, with cooperation from international organizations such as the UNHCR and IOM. This comprehensive approach aims to guarantee the safety and well-being of refugees at sea, highlighting the importance of collaboration and support throughout the process.

The Search and Rescue Operation

In order to locate refugees in distress at sea, Carnival Cruise Ships are equipped to identify distress signals. These signals can take various forms, such as flares or SOS calls, and are immediately acted upon by the crew. Once the distress signals are identified, the ship’s staff meticulously coordinates efforts to locate the refugees. Ensuring their safety at sea is of utmost importance during this stage, as the ship approaches the location following specific protocols. Once the refugees are located, the rescue operation commences, with trained personnel ensuring a safe transfer of individuals from their distressed vessel to the Carnival Cruise Ship.

Initial Assessment and Medical Care

Upon boarding the Carnival Cruise Ship, refugees go through a thorough initial assessment to identify any urgent medical emergencies. Trained medical personnel screen individuals for immediate medical needs and provide necessary care on board. This initial assessment is crucial to address any life-threatening conditions and stabilize the refugees, guaranteeing their well-being during the initial stages of their journey. Carnival Cruise Ships are equipped with the necessary medical equipment and supplies to handle a range of medical situations, ensuring that refugees receive the care they require.

Legal and Administrative Processes

Once the refugees are onboard, the ship’s staff and authorities work together to determine a safe port for disembarkation. This involves coordinating with immigration authorities to ensure smooth and efficient processing of legal and administrative requirements. Check-in procedures are established to document the refugees’ information accurately and begin necessary background checks. These processes are carried out in accordance with international and national laws, recognizing refugees’ rights while complying with the reciprocal responsibilities of receiving countries.

Onboard Accommodations and Services

Carnival Cruise Ships provide temporary housing arrangements for refugees during their journey. Dedicated spaces are allocated to accommodate and ensure the comfort of individuals and families. Additionally, refugees are provided with meals and access to drinking water, guaranteeing their basic nutritional needs are met. The ships are equipped with adequate shower and sanitation facilities to provide for proper hygiene practices. Childcare and education services are also available to ensure children’s well-being and provide continued learning opportunities. Professional counseling and support services are in place, recognizing the emotional and psychological needs of those who have experienced traumatic events.

Access to Legal Assistance

Refugees picked up at sea by Carnival Cruise Ships have access to legal assistance throughout the process. The ship’s staff, in collaboration with legal professionals, assist refugees in determining their refugee status and the possibility of applying for asylum. Legal aid and representation are provided to ensure individuals have fair and informed access to legal proceedings. This includes help with filling out necessary forms, guidance through interviews, and advice on how to navigate the complex legal processes involved in seeking asylum or refugee status.

Healthcare and Well-being

Refugees rescued by Carnival Cruise Ships have access to further medical care and treatment beyond the initial assessment. Medical professionals onboard the ship cater to various healthcare needs, offering specialized care when required. This includes the provision of medication, management of chronic conditions, and access to any necessary specialists. In addition to physical health, psychological support is also available to address the emotional trauma refugees may have experienced. Mental health professionals offer counseling services and create a supportive environment for those in need.

Integration and Resettlement

The long-term solutions for refugees rescued by Carnival Cruise Ships involve determining suitable integration and resettlement options. Language training programs are established to facilitate communication and understanding between refugees and their host communities. Skill development and vocational support are also provided to empower individuals with the necessary tools to rebuild their lives in their new surroundings. Community integration initiatives are implemented to foster social connections and ensure refugees have access to local resources, further promoting their successful integration and long-term self-sufficiency.

Cooperation with International Organizations

Carnival Cruise Ships collaborate with international organizations, including the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and IOM (International Organization for Migration), to enhance their ability to assist refugees. These partnerships allow for the exchange of experience and expertise in addressing the unique challenges faced by refugees at sea. Additionally, international organizations provide the necessary resources and support to enable successful rescue operations, medical care, legal assistance, and long-term integration efforts.

When refugees are picked up by Carnival Cruise Ships at sea, a comprehensive approach is taken to ensure their safety and well-being throughout the journey. From search and rescue operations to legal and administrative processes, the crew and authorities work together to navigate the complexities involved. Onboard accommodations, medical care, legal assistance, and integration efforts are all established to promote the successful resettlement of refugees. Collaboration and support from international organizations further strengthen the process, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in providing refuge and protection to those in need. By upholding these standards, Carnival Cruise Ships are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of refugees at sea.

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