Woman found alive 24 hours after going overboard from cruise ship as authorities share new details
A woman who went overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has been found alive in the Ionian Sea after spending around 20 hours in the water.
The 44-year-old Salvadoran woman was travelling on Odyssey of the Seas near the Greek island of Zakynthos earlier this month (9 October) when she went into the sea, according to reports.
Greek authorities subsequently launched a search involving the Coast Guard and air force.
A cargo ship, MSC Rossella III, spotted her in the early hours of 10 October. She was clinging to a bright orange lifebuoy as the crew threw her a rope and pulled her to safety.
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The woman reportedly told authorities she had jumped because she 'wanted to disembark', a Coast Guard spokesperson told Agence France-Presse via CBS News.
The spokesperson added that 'she was 20 hours at sea'.
The Hellenic Coast Guard has since shared a video showing a crew throwing a rope to a woman floating in an orange life ring in the dark.
After the rescue, the woman was taken to the port of Katakolo and then to a local hospital.
A prosecutor ordered a psychiatric evaluation, according to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
Royal Caribbean Group said it was working with authorities and had launched a search and rescue effort after the woman went overboard.
"Our Care Team is actively providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share," the company said in a statement to USA Today.
The Katakolo Port Authority is investigating the incident.
The Hellenic Coast Guard's full statement reads: "In the morning hours of 09.10.2026, the Port Authorities of Zakynthos, Katakolo and Pylos were informed by the EKSED about the fall into the sea of a 44-year-old foreign woman (El Salvadoran national), a passenger of a cruise ship flying the Bahamas flag in the sea area 72 nm southwest of Zakynthos.
"The local emergency plan was immediately activated, and searches were launched to locate her, with the participation of a rescue (N/G) vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard, a Hellenic Coast Guard Patrol Vessel (HCV) and passing ships, as well as a Super Puma helicopter of the Hellenic Air Force."
The statement continued: "During the investigations, a tipped-over lifebuoy was initially located, while in the early hours of yesterday the 44-year-old woman was located conscious, inside the lifebuoy, by the Madeira-flagged cargo ship 'MSC ROSSELLA III' that participated in the investigations.
"Subsequently, the 44-year-old was picked up by the submarine, where she was provided with first aid. Subsequently, the submarine sailed to the port of Katakolo, from where the woman was transported by an EKAB ambulance to the 'ANDREAS PAPANDREOU' General Hospital of Pyrgos for medical monitoring and medical examinations.
"A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Katakolo Port Authority."
Odyssey of the Seas is 1,138 feet long and can accommodate 4,198 guests. The ship offers seasonal cruises to the Greek Isles, according to the official Royal Caribbean website.
Tyla has reached out to the Royal Caribbean Group for further comment.
Topics: Real Life, True Life, World News, Cruise, Cruise Ship
Rhiannon Ingle