Frantic hunt for woman who fell off cruise ship sailing from Florida

dailymail.co.uk ^ | 02 Jan 2026 | JACK TOLEDO

[V_TWIN]

The US Coast Guard is searching for a 77-year-old woman who fell off a Holland America cruise ship miles away from the shore of Cuba.

Officials said an unidentified woman fell off the Neiuw Statendam on Thursday about 40 miles northeast of the Sabana.

In a statement the Coast Guard said the Air Station Clearwater MH-60 helicopter crew and the crew of the Cutter William Trump are assisting in the search.

The ship was expected to make a seven-day journey throughout the Caribbean, returning on January 3, following its departure from Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.

In a Statement to the Daily Mail, Holland America was saddened to confirm that the guest went overboard.

The company said the captain and crew initiated search-and-rescue procedures and are searching the area, working closely with the US Coast Guard.

'Our family assistance team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,' wrote Holland America.

The cruise line noted that the ship’s planned stop in Key West, Florida, on January 2 was cancelled as a result of the incident.

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat
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[V_TWIN]

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Between incidents like this, illness outbreaks and feral animals I'm glad I did all the cruising I wanted to do by the early 2000s.

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[DugwayDuke]

It’s almost impossible to just “fall off” a cruise ship. One either has to jump or be pushed. Doing stupid things can also be a cause.

[Red Badger]

.....and a good time was had by all...............well, mostly all........

[shadeaud]

At 77, I can’t imagine a person taking a header into the sea. Cruise ships have almost as many cameras as Times Square on New Years Eve. Crews are constantly being trained in sea rescue. She may bea resident of The NewNew York and realized how bleak the future looks.

[mikey_hates_everything]

who fell off a Holland America cruise ship miles away from the shore of Cuba

I hate when that happens.

[Sirius Lee]

77? She’s crab food.

[9YearLurker]

She’s dead, Jim.

[OpusatFR]

“Between incidents like this, illness outbreaks and feral animals I’m glad I did all the cruising I wanted to do by the early 2000s.”

Me too. Cruisers in the past used what was called “cruise manners” to make the sail calm, enjoyable and polite. Not anymore.

[xp38]

just a guess but I’d say she sleeps with the fishes now

[Bobbyvotes]

56 cruises so far, 44 more coming up before legs give out. Not a single incidence of me getting sick during my 56 cruises. Covid pandemic era from Sept 2021 through 2022 was the best time to sail. Half price cruises and half full ships. Wife and me several bargain priced cruises during that period.

[V_TWIN]

Except they never made it to KW. 😏

[Bobbyvotes]

Royal Caribbean Oasis class ships are very calm & civil. Avoid cheap carnival ships.

[Red Badger]

They should be thankful for that, at least...............

[V_TWIN]

$10 says your favorite cruise was Alaska 🙂

[V_TWIN]

With the help of Navy MWR we were able to stay on base there around 2007 for a week.....saw what we wanted to see and ate where we wanted to eat......we’re good. 👍

[lefty-lie-spy]

lol; I was just ready to post the same exact thing.

[LouAvul]

I’d say she sleeps with the fishes now

More precisely, she sleep in the fishes now.

[Bon of Babble]

One doesn’t “fall” off of a cruise ship - you are either thrown overboard or climbed over the railing yourself and jumped in.

[woodbutcher1963]

Have you ever gone on any off the smaller cruise lines?
Windstar(I think) is one.
Ships are much smaller.

I went on a Windjammer Barefoot cruise in 1997. There were only about 100 people including crew on the ship. That company had five ships in the Caribbean.

My wife wants to go on one of the Viking River cruises.
She keeps leaving the pamphlets on the kitchen table.
I keep saying WE are not old enough yet (61 & 62).

[DannyTN]

Could have been a troll...