A passenger on board a Virgin Voyages cruise died earlier in the week after falling from a balcony onto another cruise-goer.
The struck passenger was not seriously injured and the ship, Valiant Lady, returned to its port in Miami on Sunday, despite originally being en route to Roatán, Honduras, according to a Virgin Voyages spokesperson.
“This passenger went over their balcony onto a lower deck, and despite receiving immediate medical attention, has passed away,” read the Virgin Voyages statement.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and our hearts and thoughts are with this person’s loved ones.”
Travellers onboard were informed of the death by the captain and were informed of the ship being redirected the following day.
Valiant Lady has set sail again, but under a revised itinerary. The ship will venture to Cozumel, Mexico and no longer stop in Roatán. The cruise line’s spokesperson said the change in itinerary has to do with weather, not the passing away of the passenger.
J. Alexander, a cruise YouTuber who runs the page The Shiplife, was onboard the ship during the incident and included footage where the captain made an announcement regarding the death of a passenger in his vlog.
Alexander said cruise-goers were “shaky” following the news of the passenger’s death and disembarked once reaching Miami.
The YouTuber reported that passengers were given a “100 per cent future cruise credit” as compensation from Virgin Voyages.
Featured Image: Valiant Lady in the port of Barcelona, Spain (iStock/zkorla)
