Thomas Gigler, 56, went overboard from the Carnival Panorama sometime Friday evening while the cruise ship was approximately 57 miles off the coast of Mexico. He was reported missing around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, nine days into the seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise that departed Long Beach, California, on September 13, 2026, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and Hindustan Times.
Search operations led by the U.S. Coast Guard lasted more than 41 hours and covered an ocean area exceeding 1,707 square miles. The effort included Coast Guard aircraft, a Mexican naval vessel, and six Good Samaritan vessels coordinating surface searches.
The Rescue Coordination Center Alameda managed the search after receiving the missing-person report from Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. Despite the extensive search, no sign of Gigler was found before the operation was suspended.
Cruise Itinerary and Passenger Details
The Carnival Panorama was returning from a route that included stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, ahead of its scheduled return to Long Beach on September 19, 2026. Gigler, a resident of Redlands, California, was on board with his wife Michelle, age 48. The couple was en route to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on September 23, 2026, when he was
last seen.
Official Responses and Statements
Jessica Davila, chief of incident management for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Southwest District, said the decision to suspend the search was difficult and based on all available information. She expressed condolences to those affected. A Carnival spokesperson said the company is supporting Gigler’s family and extended thoughts and prayers. Passengers reacted with concern when the announcement of a missing-person search was made onboard.
Onboard Procedures and Search Coordination
During the search, passengers were instructed to return to their cabins for a headcount, while the ship temporarily reversed course. Video footage reviewed by authorities captured the moment Gigler went overboard, but the exact circumstances
remain unclear. The U.S. Coast Guard worked closely with Mexico’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Center and utilized the AMVER system to locate nearby vessels that could assist in the search operation.
