How Many People Have Jumped Off a Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

Although it’s a rare occurrence, people have jumped off cruise ships. While the exact number of people who have jumped off cruise ships is unknown, there are some reported cases that make it clear that some people have done it.

The first reported case of someone jumping off a cruise ship was in 2006 when a 15-year-old girl jumped off the Carnival Victory in the middle of the night. The girl was found two days later in good condition and returned to her family.

In 2008, a 27-year-old man jumped off a Carnival Cruise Lines ship in the Caribbean Sea. He was found two days later and taken to a hospital for treatment.

In 2011, a 43-year-old woman jumped from the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas while on a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise with her husband and daughter. The woman was rescued by another passenger and returned to her family safely.

In 2012, an 11-year-old boy jumped from the Norwegian Epic while sailing near Puerto Rico. He too was rescued by another passenger and returned to his family safely.

In 2013, an 18-year-old man jumped from the Carnival Breeze in the Gulf of Mexico about 145 miles west of Tampa, Florida. He was never found and is presumed dead.

Conclusion:

It is clear that although rare, some people have indeed chosen to jump off cruise ships over the years. While most cases have ended with successful rescue operations, one case ended tragically with no trace of the person who had fallen overboard being found. The exact number of people who have done this is unknown but these reports paint a picture that serves as a reminder for us all – safety should be taken seriously when on board any vessel at sea.