A major search operation has been launched after a 72-year-old woman was reported missing from a cruise ship sailing across the Atlantic towards the Caribbean.
The woman was last seen aboard the Marella Voyager on Monday afternoon, as the vessel travelled from Malaga, Spain, towards its Caribbean destinations.
Concern was reportedly raised on Tuesday evening when a steward noticed that the passenger’s bed had not been slept in overnight.
The crew subsequently launched an urgent search of the ship and conducted a headcount, prompting passengers to interrupt their dinners, drinks and entertainment to gather at designated muster stations.
Passengers were reportedly first asked to report to reception at around 7.30pm on Tuesday, with the announcement repeated 10 minutes later.
By around 9pm, guests were instructed to assemble at one of four muster stations as the crew tried to establish whether the woman was still on board.
One crew member reportedly told passengers that the headcount was necessary to determine whether the missing guest was still on the ship.
Captain Silviu Mitrea later addressed passengers through the ship’s announcement system, confirming that a guest had been reported missing and thanking them for their assistance.
He said the crew had immediately carried out the necessary searches and urged anyone with relevant information to contact guest services.
Despite a full search of the vessel, the woman has yet to be found. Her identity has not been released, and efforts are reportedly under way to identify and contact her next of kin.
Marella Cruises confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the crew had contacted the relevant authorities as soon as the alarm was raised.
The company said: “We’re deeply saddened to confirm that a guest was reported missing on board Marella Voyager while the ship was crossing the Atlantic.
“As soon as the alarm was raised, the crew carried out a full search of the ship and we contacted the relevant authorities straight away.
“Our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones at this very difficult time.
“We’re supporting the authorities with their enquiries, and out of respect for the guest and her family, we won’t be commenting further at this stage.”
It is believed the woman may have fallen overboard, although the circumstances surrounding her disappearance have not been confirmed.
The 866-foot cruise liner has already travelled approximately 550 miles from the area where she is believed to have entered the water and will not be turning back.
The US Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Norfolk, Virginia, has issued an alert asking vessels in the surrounding area to “keep a sharp look out” for the missing passenger.
The Coast Guard reportedly decided that the Marella Voyager should continue its scheduled journey rather than retrace its route.
The ship, which weighs 77,302 tonnes, departed Malaga on November 4 carrying around 2,000 passengers and 800 crew members.
It was scheduled to reach Antigua on Friday, continue to Dominica and conclude its voyage in Barbados on Sunday.
The disappearance comes after the vessel encountered rough weather in the Atlantic, with strong winds and waves reportedly causing objects to fall inside the ship.
One passenger described the conditions as the roughest seas they had experienced in 20 years of cruising.
They recalled hearing a loud bang while sitting inside on Deck 11, followed by the ship appearing to tilt as water became visible through the windows.
However, the storm is not believed to be connected to the woman’s disappearance.
Other holidaymakers also claimed that two passengers had been evacuated by medical helicopters during the cruise, while another required a land-based ambulance before the ship departed Malaga.
