JEWEL OF THE SEAS

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Cruise ship encountered two migrant boats, assisted one

The 'Jewel of the Seas' encountered two migrant boats between Cuba and Florida in a single day, and offered assistance to both in the Straits of Florida as the ship was returning to Port Canaveral from Cozumel on 21, 2022, during the ship’s day at sea. She was on the last full day of a 5-night Bimini and Cozumel itinerary when the first small refugee boat was spotted approximately 50 miles northwest of Havana. The boat appeared to be in distress, and the cruise ship launched one of its boats to investigate. The refugee craft’s engine was having difficulty, but was able to be successfully restarted. The cruise ship also provided food, water, and other supplies to the refugees, and the small boat continued on its way without transferring any individuals to the cruise ship. Later in the day, another small craft was spotted in the water, this time approximately 75 miles northeast of Havana and 40 miles (64 km) south-southeast of Key West. During that encounter, the cruise ship slowed but did not stop and there was no direct contact with the refugees. It is likely that the individuals onboard the small boat were able to wave off the ship or otherwise communicate that they did not require assistance. The cruise ship’s crew would have reported the encounters, including exact positions, to the proper authorities as needed, but was not involved in any further operations, and the 'Jewel of the Seas' continued on her way without any significant delays.

Baby born on board

On Nov 29, 2022, the 'Jewel of the Seas' added an unexpected passenger after an expectant mother went into premature labor and gave birth on board. The mother and baby were transferred off the ship to medical facilities as soon as possible. The ship was on a 6-night roundtrip in the Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida, where it had sailed on Nov 27. While on board, as the ship was en route to Jamaica, the expectant mother was experiencing discomfort, and as a precaution due to her pregnancy, visited the ship’s medical facility. The onboard medical team determined that she was in active labor, the stage at which contractions intensify and such discomfort would no longer be able to be walked off or dismissed as general cramps. The premature baby was safely delivered onboard the ship by Dr. Alif Patilla, a senior physician for Royal Caribbean International, with virtual assistance from Dr. Jorge Perez, a neonatal specialist with KIDZ Medical Services, a partner of Royal Caribbean. When the siph arrived in Ocho Rios, the baby and mother were transferred to St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, which is just sevenn miles from the cruise ship dock. The baby was admitted to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Both mother and baby were reported as doing well, and were transferred to the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami on Dec 2. There have been no reported delays or changes to the vessel‘s itinerary, and the ship returned to Port Canaveral on Dec 3.

Two crew members medevaced

The Port Authority of Chania was informed in the afternoon of Oct 11, 2022,, by the maritime agent of the 'Jewel of the Seas', that two crew members, aged 29 and 45, needed immediate hospital treatment. They were disembarked and transferred to a private clinic in the prefecture of Chania for further health care, while the ship departed to continue its scheduled route, to the port of Thira, where it arrived on Oct 12.