Thomas Gigler, a 56-year-old passenger from Redlands, went overboard from the Carnival Panorama cruise ship during its voyage off the coast of Mexico near California. The seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise started on September 13, 2026, from Long Beach, California.
Search Efforts and Coordination
The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated a search operation over more than 1,707 square miles that lasted over 41 hours. The effort included Coast Guard aircraft, a Mexican naval vessel, and six volunteer vessels registered through the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system. The Rescue Coordination Center Alameda led the search after receiving the missing-person report from Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long
Beach at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Cruise Itinerary and Passenger Situation
The cruise route included stops at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta before heading back toward Long Beach. Gigler was traveling with his wife, Michelle, and the couple was celebrating their upcoming 15th wedding anniversary, due on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Passengers onboard were instructed to return to their rooms for a headcount, and an announcement regarding the overboard incident was made. Passenger Misty Hernandez described the mood shifting from lively to quiet after multiple announcements were repeated, and confirmed the couple was on an anniversary trip.
Official Statements and Visual Evidence
Jessica Davila, chief of incident
management for the Coast Guard’s Southwest District, said, “Decisions to suspend search operations are never easy and are made with careful consideration of all available information. Our hearts are with those impacted by his loss.” Carnival Cruise Line expressed condolences through a spokesperson who said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones.”
Camera footage confirmed that Gigler went overboard. Despite the coordinated search including U.S. and Mexican agencies, the Coast Guard officially suspended search operations by late September 2026 after no trace was found.
