Carnival Cruise Line to the rescue! The crew members onboard Carnival Paradise are heroes after rescuing 5 refugees from a small raft in the midst of a 6-night Western Caribbean voyage.
After visiting Key West, Florida, yesterday, the Fantasy-class vessel was making her technique to Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Might 14, 2025, when a small, makeshift craft was noticed in misery off the coast of Cuba.
It’s unclear what precisely went flawed for the group and the way lengthy they could have been stranded – however the raft-type boat was clearly too crowded to be working safely.
Members of the 920-strong crew rapidly sprung into motion and boarded a lifeboat to rendezvous with the raft, which held roughly 15 refugees.
5 members of the stranded group had been introduced onboard the two,124-guest ship, whereas the remaining ten stayed behind. The crew members nonetheless left the remaining males with meals, water, and gas and notified the US Coast Guard concerning the state of affairs.
“The Carnival Paradise workforce rescued 5 folks south of Cabo San Antonio, Cuba on Wednesday after the ship’s officers noticed a small boat in misery. The 5 individuals who requested rescue had been half of a bigger group on board the small boat,” a Carnival spokesperson advised Cruise Hive in a press release.
“The opposite occupants didn’t want to be a part of the ship however got meals and water by the ship’s workforce. The USA Coast Guard was notified, and a switch will likely be coordinated. After finishing the rescue, Carnival Paradise continued to its scheduled vacation spot, Montego Bay, Jamaica,” the assertion continued.
As is commonplace protocol in these conditions, the rescued folks had been supplied with meals, water, and medical consideration.
Whereas they are going to be supplied with lodging and care, the refugees don’t merely get to affix the cruise at no cost.
As a substitute, they are going to be tended to till they are often safely transported again to their residence nation – with the switch doubtless happening at one of many upcoming ports of name or on the subsequent turnaround day in Tampa, Florida, on Might 18, 2025.
Cruise monitoring knowledge reveals that Carnival Paradise arrived in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on time on Might 15, 2025, and has one ultimate name for this crusing at George City Harbour, Grand Cayman, on Might 16, 2025.
A Historical past of Heroism
Even when cruise ships didn’t have an ethical obligation to assist distressed vessels they come upon at sea, Carnival Cruise Line would nonetheless be keen to supply assist – and has carried out so many instances up to now.
Way back to 2019, Carnival Paradise particularly made headlines for stopping to help a sailor who was caught on a sinking boat about 13 miles north of Cozumel, Mexico.
In July of 2022, Carnival Paradise as soon as once more got here to assistance from a small boat in misery whereas crusing off the coast of Cuba – which actually provides the current rescue a way of déjà vu.
Crew noticed at the least 20 folks drifting listlessly on an overcrowded rowboat – which appeared to have sustained some harm.
On this case, the entire refugees had been introduced onboard and supplied meals, water, and medical assist.
“In accordance with maritime regulation, we have now taken them aboard our vessel and have notified the entire acceptable authorities,” the ship’s captain stated on the time.
Cruise Hive Boards: Carnival Paradise Saves the Day
Extra just lately, historical past repeated itself as soon as once more. In April of final yr, the 1998-launched ship once more stumbled upon 27 Cuban nationals who had been adrift at sea and in want of help.
The bridge workforce observed an overcrowded boat in misery whereas en path to Roatan, Honduras, throughout the first full day of a 5-night crusing.
As soon as once more, the entire refugees had been rescued and introduced onboard with none influence to the voyage for paying passengers.
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