A senior female traveler on the Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas cruise passed away while the ship was traversing the Pacific Ocean. The cruise is part of the cruise line’s 274-night Ultimate World Cruise. The initial news about the death came via TikTok.
The cruise ship, Serenade of the Seas, set sail from Miami, Florida, on December 10, 2023, with plans to visit over 60 nations and feature 11 world wonders. This ambitious journey has captured the attention of many, especially on social media platforms like TikTok.
The unfortunate incident happened two months after the cruise started, casting a somber tone over the otherwise glamorous voyage. The news was posted by a TikTok user named ‘Adita’ who reported the event and mentioned that the deceased was an elderly woman.
The cruise line, Royal Caribbean, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and extended its condolences and support to the family of the deceased, whose identity has been kept private. The cause of death has not been revealed.
The Ultimate World Cruise, renowned for its comprehensive itinerary spanning the globe, charges passengers anywhere between $50,000 to over $100,000. The cruise is divided into four distinct legs, covering the Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe, before returning to Miami on September 10, 2024.
Equipped with amenities like spa pools, libraries, cinemas, dining spaces, and shopping arcades, the Serenade of the Seas aims to offer an opulent experience throughout the nine-month journey. The incident, however, sparked conversations on social media, with passengers sharing their experiences and concerns.
Earlier, the ship’s voyage through heavy rains and winds of up to 60 mph toward Montevideo, Uruguay, had been a point of discussion among passengers. Some expressed concerns about changing rooms and dwindling wine supplies. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean hinted at potential modifications to the cruise itinerary due to unrest in the Middle East, underlining the safety and well-being of its guests and crew as a priority.
The death on the cruise ship brings into focus the challenges and preparedness of extended cruises to manage such incidents. Large cruise ships like the Serenade of the Seas are equipped with facilities to handle on-board deaths, including the ability to store deceased individuals in an onboard morgue until they can be transferred at a major port of call.
