A cargo ship spotted the 44-year-old woman in a life ring southwest of Greece, helping rescuers locate her after an extensive search.
ATHENS, GREECE — A 44-year-old Royal Caribbean passenger was rescued alive after spending about 20 hours in the Ionian Sea following an overboard incident aboard Odyssey of the Seas, according to Greek authorities.
The woman, a citizen of El Salvador, was found conscious early Oct. 10 about 70 nautical miles southwest of the Greek island of Zakynthos. Her recovery followed a large search involving Greek Coast Guard vessels, an aircraft, nearby commercial ships and the cruise ship itself. She was given first aid after being pulled from the water and later taken to a hospital for observation and medical tests.
Greek authorities had been alerted early Oct. 9 that a passenger had gone overboard from the Bahamas-flagged Odyssey of the Seas about 72 nautical miles southwest of Zakynthos. Two Coast Guard vessels were sent to the area, while an aircraft and merchant ships operating nearby joined the search. Odyssey of the Seas also participated as rescuers tried to locate the missing passenger across a large stretch of open water.
The breakthrough came when the crew of the Madeira-flagged cargo ship MSC Rossella III, which was participating in the search, spotted the flashing light attached to a life ring. Authorities said the woman was found conscious inside the ring. A Greek Coast Guard rescue vessel recovered her and provided first aid before transporting her to the mainland port of Katakolo in the western Peloponnese.
From Katakolo, the woman was taken by ambulance to a hospital in nearby Pyrgos for medical observation and testing. Authorities have not publicly released her name. Early Coast Guard accounts described her as having fallen or gone overboard, while a Coast Guard spokesperson later told Agence France-Presse that the woman said she had jumped because she wanted to disembark. Officials have not released a full account of what happened immediately before she entered the sea.
Royal Caribbean said it launched a search and rescue operation as soon as the overboard incident became known and worked with authorities during the response. The company said its Care Team was supporting the passenger’s loved ones and declined to provide additional information, citing the family’s privacy.
Odyssey of the Seas is a Quantum Ultra-class Royal Caribbean ship that entered service in 2021. Royal Caribbean lists the vessel at 1,138 feet long and says it carries about 4,198 passengers at double occupancy. At the time of the incident, the ship was operating in the Mediterranean after departing Civitavecchia, the port serving Rome, on Oct. 4 for a seven-night cruise that included stops in Greece.
The search interrupted the ship’s voyage as Odyssey of the Seas remained in the area to assist. Published itinerary information indicated the vessel had been traveling from Mykonos toward Naples. The ship later continued its voyage after the passenger was found. The rescue ended an overnight effort in which authorities coordinated aircraft, Coast Guard crews and commercial vessels over waters far from shore.
The woman’s survival drew attention because of the length of time she remained at sea before being located. Authorities said she was conscious when rescuers reached her, but they have released limited information about her condition after hospitalization. Officials have also not explained how she obtained the life ring that helped keep her afloat and provided the flashing signal that ultimately led searchers to her position.
The Katakolo Port Authority is investigating the circumstances of the overboard incident. No further findings had been publicly announced as of Wednesday, and Greek authorities had not released additional details about the passenger’s medical condition following her rescue.
Author note: Last updated October 14, 2026.