Radiance of the Seas Rescues Six From Boat Taking ...

Whereas having fun with what was meant to be a quiet day at sea on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas sprang into motion when a makeshift boat was noticed close by taking up water.

Onboard had been six people, all of whom had been taken onto the cruise ship as a result of their craft was not seaworthy.

Company onboard Radiance of the Seas shared the tense scene on Reddit, noting that the stranded people gave the impression to be bailing water out of their craft because the cruise ship approached.

Satellite tv for pc monitoring confirms that the 90,090-gross-ton ship was simply west of Cuba on the time of the encounter, and actually, Radiance of the Seas backtracked barely alongside her course in an effort to impact the rescue.

The incident occurred at roughly 4:45 native time, when the cruise ship stopped briefly and despatched a notification to authorities. The pilot boat from Radiance of the Seas was despatched out to fulfill the smaller craft about an hour later and all six people had been safely introduced onboard the cruise ship.

It isn’t clear the place the small craft originated from, although Cuba is the doubtless dwelling nation for these people. Cruise Hive has beforehand lined a number of comparable rescues in the identical basic space from a number of cruise ships.

In reality, nearly precisely one yr in the past in February 2025, Cruise Hive reported that Radiance of the Seas‘ sister ship, Brilliance of the Seas, performed a similar rescue in nearly the very same space.

This time of yr is frequent for such incidents, as it’s outdoors hurricane season and climate circumstances, whereas by no means excellent for such small, makeshift boats, are smoother for determined makes an attempt.

What Occurs to Rescued People?

As soon as onboard, it’s customary observe for rescued people to be given meals, water, and any needed medical care. The suitable authorities are alerted to the state of affairs and the people might be turned over to these authorities as quickly as doable.

In some instances, this can imply dropping the people off on the subsequent port of name, which for Radiance of the Seas might be Grand Cayman on Monday, February 16. That is what the ship’s captain has confirmed would be the case on this incident.

An alternative choice would typically be to rendezvous with the related authorities at sea for the people to be transferred into acceptable custody. This is likely to be needed if the cruise ship was not scheduled for an additional port go to earlier than leaving the area or returning to the US.

No matter when and the way refugees are submitted to authorities, the people are usually returned to their dwelling nation in accordance with native legal guidelines.

Learn Additionally: Do Cruise Ships Have Jails? Here’s the Truth!

It ought to be famous that at no time are rescued people permitted in visitor areas or furnished with the extravagant facilities of the cruise ship. They continue to be restricted to crew areas and stored underneath safe watch always, although they aren’t thought of prisoners and aren’t confined to the brig.

Radiance of the Seas is at present crusing a 6-night itinerary that departed Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, February 14. The ship will go to Grand Cayman on Monday, adopted by one other day at sea earlier than a go to to Cozumel on Wednesday, February 18.

After a 3rd day at sea, Radiance of the Seas will return to Fort Lauderdale on Friday, February 20.

There isn’t a indication that the ship’s itinerary might be impacted by this encounter, however visitors onboard might be notified if any schedule adjustment is critical. Radiance of the Seas can host as much as 2,501 visitors (double occupancy) per crusing.

Whereas it might appear inconvenient for an enormous cruise ship to make such a rescue, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires all vessels to help anybody in misery at sea.

A small delay or diversion is actually worthwhile to safeguard all life, and cruise ships from all strains will at all times stand prepared to help these in want, anyplace on the planet.