October 11, 2026 — The woman who went overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas on Friday was found alive in the Ionian Sea, the Hellenic Coast Guard has confirmed. The ship is due in Civitavecchia (Rome) today to end its cruise on schedule, one port short.
Update: yesterday’s story carried the rescue only as an unconfirmed passenger report. The Greek coast guard has now confirmed it, and guests report port-fee refunds for the cancelled Naples call.
The rescue
- The passenger, a 44-year-old woman from El Salvador, went into the water at about 6 a.m. on Friday, October 9, while the ship was sailing from Mykonos to Naples.
- A passing cargo ship spotted her about 70 nautical miles southwest of Zakynthos. A Hellenic Coast Guard vessel picked her up conscious and took her to the port of Katakolo.
- Passengers said the captain announced the rescue on Saturday, October 10, and that she was treated for hypothermia. Authorities have not confirmed her condition or how she went overboard.
- Royal Caribbean Group said the ship started search and rescue work immediately. The search lasted about 14 hours.
The cruise
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ship | Odyssey of the Seas, 4,198 guests |
| Sailing | Seven-night Greek Isles round trip from Civitavecchia, departed October 4 |
| Missed port | Naples, October 10, replaced by a day at sea |
| End of cruise | Civitavecchia, Sunday, October 11, unchanged |
| Compensation | Port fees for Naples refunded; guests reported amounts from $22.84 to €59.95. Nothing further announced |
| Next sailing | Seven-night Greek Isles cruise departing October 11; no change announced |
Royal Caribbean Blog notes this was one of the ship’s last three European round trips before it moves to Cape Liberty, New Jersey. One passenger called the outcome “a true miracle.”
What it means for airline travelers
- Leaving the ship today: the cruise ends on time, so flights home from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) should not need to change.
- Boarding today: no delay has been announced for the October 11 departure. If you flew standby into Rome this morning, check the Royal Caribbean app for your boarding time before heading to Civitavecchia.
- Check your onboard account for the Naples port-fee refund. Ship-sold excursions for a cancelled port are normally credited back; for private tours, contact the operator.
- A port missed for an emergency does not carry a set refund beyond port fees.
- No interline or travel-industry rate changes were announced.
Sources
- Cruise Hive — Woman Found Alive After Royal Caribbean Overboard
- Royal Caribbean Blog — Woman rescued after jumping overboard from cruise ship in Mediterranean
- Cruise.Blog — “It’s time for lawsuits towards the jumpers”: Cruise passengers upset after woman goes overboard
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