A female passenger aboard Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Odyssey of the Seas went overboard southwest of Zakynthos, Greece, early on October 9, 2026. The woman spent nearly 20 hours in the Ionian Sea before being rescued, according to the Greek coast guard.
Greek Coast Guard Leads Rescue with Odyssey of the Seas
The Greek coast guard deployed two patrol boats and a navy helicopter to conduct search and rescue operations following the incident. The Odyssey of the Seas, a 1,138-foot vessel accommodating up to 4,198 guests, also assisted in the search. A passing freighter ultimately located the woman afloat inside an orange life ring. She was retrieved by a coast guard
patrol boat in the early hours of October 10.
Passenger Statement and Official Details on Incident
The 44-year-old Salvadorian woman told rescuers she entered the water because she “wanted to disembark” the ship, a Greek coast guard spokesperson said. The spokesperson confirmed the passenger spent approximately 20 hours at sea before being found. The operation involved rerouting nearby vessels to facilitate the search effort.
Medical Evaluation and Passenger Condition Post-Rescue
After rescue, the passenger was taken to the port of Katakolo and transported to a hospital in Pyrgos. Medical assessments included health checks and a psychiatric evaluation mandated by a local prosecutor.
Odyssey of the Seas and Context of Royal Caribbean Overboard Incidents
Odyssey of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean cruise ship
offering seasonal cruises to the Greek Isles. Last year, a man jumped off a Royal Caribbean ship near San Juan to avoid gambling debt, indicating that overboard incidents have occurred before.
