Two cruise passengers die at Carnival’s new Bahamas resort
Two Americans visiting Carnival Cruise Line’s new Bahamas private resort Celebration Key died on Friday, according to the Royal Bahamas Police and confirmed by the cruise line.
“Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate water emergency incidents at Celebration Key Friday — one in the lagoon and one at the beach,” reads a statement from the cruise line. “Sadly, both guests have passed away.”
One guest was sailing on the Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral and one on Carnival Elation out of Jacksonville.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families and our Care Team is providing assistance,” the cruise line stated.
The Royal Bahamas Police reported their investigations into both incidents on Grand Bahama, with the first happening shortly before noon Friday.
“Officers on duty at the location responded and discovered an unresponsive 79-year-old male on board a commercial vessel,” the police statement reads, “According to the initial report, the male became unresponsive while snorkeling at a beach. A lifeguard assisted him from the water, and CPR was administered, but to no avail. As a result, the male who is reported to be an American national was pronounced deceased by a medical doctor.”
The second incident happened shortly after 2:30 p.m.
“After being alerted, officers discovered an unresponsive 74-year-old female on board a separate commercial vessel,” the police statement reads. “The initial report suggests that the female became unresponsive while swimming in a pool. A lifeguard assisted her out of the water, and CPR was administered but to no avail. As a result, the female who was reported to be an American national was pronounced deceased by a medical doctor.”
Both passengers remained in the Bahamas where an autopsy will be performed to help determine the exact cause of death, police said.
Celebration Key opened last month after years of construction, giving the cruise line its first private destination. Previously, Carnival had visited sister lines Princess Cruises and Holland America’s private locations Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay elsewhere in the Bahamas.