Coast Guard searching for woman who went overboard from cruise ship off Cuba
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a 77-year-old woman who went overboard from a Holland America cruise ship Thursday off Cuba, the agency said.
The woman went into the water as the ship, the Neiuw Statendam, was sailing about 40 miles northeast of the Sabana-Camagüey archipelago off Cuba’s northern coast, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
The search is being conducted by the crew of the Cutter William Trump and a MH-60 helicopter crew based in Air Station Clearwater, according to the Coast Guard.
Holland America said in a statement that the ship’s captain and crew began searching for the woman immediately upon hearing she went overboard.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sailing in waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today,” the company said.
Because of the search, the ship’s planned call to Key West, which was scheduled for Friday, is canceled.
“Our family assistance team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” the statement reads.
The Nieuw Statendam departed from Fort Lauderdale on Saturday for a seven-day cruise of the eastern Caribbean, Holland America said.
This story was originally published January 1, 2026 at 1:06 PM with the headline "Coast Guard searching for woman who went overboard from cruise ship off Cuba."
