Key Facets:
- Enchantment of the Seas rescued a raft overcrowded with refugees on the night of Sunday, September 28, 2025.
- The rescue occurred close to the coast of Mexico because the cruise ship was crusing an alternate itinerary resulting from tough climate within the Bahamas.
- Refugee rescues close to Mexico and Cuba usually are not unusual and saving life at all times takes priority over schedule issues.
There are some additional company onboard Enchantment of the Seas‘ present crusing, due to a night rescue of an overcrowded and unstable raft because the cruise ship made her method to Mexico.
Enchantment of the Seas departed Tampa, Florida on Saturday, September 27, 2025 for what was to have been a 5-night Bahamas and Excellent Day crusing.
The creating tropical methods within the japanese Caribbean and Bahamas (now Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda) had different concepts, nevertheless. To keep away from the tough climate, Enchantment of the Seas was re-routed to Mexico for visits to Costa Maya and Cozumel.
That dramatic itinerary change was a fortuitous stroke of luck for a raft filled with refugees who had been struggling to remain afloat.
On Sunday, September 28, Enchantment of the Seas got here throughout the makeshift craft simply after sundown. The raft included a brief mast and oars however no important sides or different buildings. Not less than 8-9 refugees seemed to be aboard in response to images shared on-line.
The people aboard the raft used lights to sign to the cruise ship, which instantly responded with humanitarian rescue efforts.
A lifeboat was launched to succeed in the raft. Company at present aboard Enchantment of the Seas have famous that the refugees had been introduced aboard the cruise ship.
It is a commonplace humanitarian measure to safeguard life when a refugee craft will not be secure or correctly geared up.
On the time, Enchantment of the Seas was within the waters between Cuba and Mexico. Refugee rescues usually are not unusual on this space, however it’s unclear which nation the stranded refugees might have originated from.
The cruise ship continued on its approach and is spending Monday in Costa Maya as scheduled on the revised itinerary. There must be no additional disruption to the ship’s schedule, together with returning to Tampa on Thursday, October 2.
What Occurs Subsequent?
To be clear, whereas refugees are at all times welcomed onboard cruise ships as a lifesaving measure, they don’t have the identical trip expertise as company.
No matter the place refugees got here from or their causes for setting sail in unsafe craft, they are going to be supplied with meals, water, and medical care as wanted. Normally, they don’t seem to be permitted in visitor areas of a ship and are underneath safety guard always.
Learn Additionally: Cruise Ship Lifeboats – Are There Sufficient and What You Would possibly Not Know
Their residence nation will probably be notified of their restoration, together with the authorities within the space the place they had been discovered. Relying on the nation and the person circumstances, they are going to be launched to authorities as quickly as doable, and processed in response to that nation’s legal guidelines.
This will embrace being returned to their residence nation or different authorized measures as obligatory.
Royal Caribbean Ship Rescues Unstable Overcrowded Raft
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