A crew member died after going overboard from the Regal Princess cruise ship while sailing off Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Princess Cruises confirmed on July 13, 2026. The ship had departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 11 for a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary that included planned stops in Cozumel, Mexico, Belize, and Honduras. The incident occurred as the vessel was en route to Cozumel.
Search and Rescue Operations Involving Multiple Authorities
An extensive search-and-rescue operation took place for over eight hours following the incident. Efforts involved the Regal Princess, another cruise ship, and Mexican maritime authorities. Passenger David Jimenez reported the ship repeatedly slowed down,
traveled in circles, and retraced its path during the search. Jimenez also shared that the search was conducted with urgency and coordination among the various parties involved.
Confirmation of Death and Impact on Itinerary
Princess Cruises confirmed the death of the crew member after concluding the search. Due to the incident, the Regal Princess canceled its scheduled port stop in Cozumel. The cruise line provided counseling services and support to both passengers and crew members onboard. Passengers were updated on the situation every hour throughout the search and after confirmation of the crew member’s death.
Official Statements and Passenger Eyewitness Account
Princess Cruises released a statement expressing condolences: “Our thoughts are with the
crew member, their family, and all those impacted by this situation. We are providing support to our onboard team.” Passenger David Jimenez, who has taken multiple cruises previously, said, “But after searching intensely for over eight hours, the cruise line confirmed the crew member had perished.” He also noted, “At times the ship slowed down and went in circles. Then they would come back and circle again.” Jimenez added that the company “kept people updated every hour” while following established procedures.
