A senior female passenger traveling on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas, part of the cruise line’s 274-night Ultimate World Cruise, died while the ship was making its way through the Pacific Ocean.
The cruise, which started from Miami, Florida, on December 10, 2023, plans to traverse more than 60 countries and feature 11 world wonders, making it a once-in-a-lifetime journey for many of its passengers.
The unfortunate event happened early into the cruise, just two months after the ship set sail. This incident has somewhat dampened the excitement surrounding this ambitious cruise, which has garnered significant attention, especially on social media platforms such as TikTok.
The passenger’s death was made public through a TikTok user named ‘Adita,’ who reported the incident. According to Adita, the deceased was an elderly woman seen being taken from her cabin.
Royal Caribbean confirmed the event in an official statement issued on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The company extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, whose identity has remained confidential. The exact cause of the woman’s death was not revealed.
Notably, the Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise has a comprehensive itinerary that spans the entire globe, with the cost for participants ranging from $50,000 to over $100,000.
The cruise is divided into four distinct segments, covering the Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe, before ending in Miami on September 10, 2024.
With amenities that include spa pools, libraries, cinemas, dining spaces, and shopping arcades, the Serenade of the Seas aims to offer a luxurious atmosphere throughout the nine-month journey.
The incident has prompted conversation on social media, where passengers have been sharing their experiences and concerns.
Conversations among passengers had already centered around the ship’s journey through torrential rain and winds of 60 mph towards Montevideo, Uruguay. Some passengers have reported the need to switch rooms and expressed concerns over dwindling wine supplies.
Given the ongoing unrest in the Middle East, Royal Caribbean has also indicated potential changes to the cruise’s itinerary, underscoring the safety and welfare of its guests and crew as its highest priority.
The woman’s death raises questions about the readiness of long-duration cruises to handle such situations.
Large cruise ships like the Serenade of the Seas are equipped with facilities to deal with deaths on the ship, including the storage of deceased individuals in an onboard morgue until they can be transferred at a major port of call.
The way Royal Caribbean has managed this situation highlights the delicate balance cruise lines must strike between offering a dream vacation and addressing the unpredictability of life.
