Broward Sheriff's Office at Port Everglades, FL, is investigating the death of a 47-year-old female passenger who apparently died onboard Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas.
In a statement, Cynthia Martinez, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson, said the passenger missed a step and fell down a flight of stairs. While the ship's medical facility provided initial care after the guest's fall, "regrettably, the guest passed away while onboard," Martinez said.
The passenger was a U.S. citizen, and the line said a member of its Care Team is providing support to the guest's family and friends. The ship completed its four-night sailing early this morning. Guests are in the process of disembarking.
Separately on Friday, a safari-type vehicle with 13 Serenade of the Seas guests ran off Skyline Drive in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I, during an island sightseeing tour, according to the U.S.Virgin Islands News.
Eleven guests were immediately transported to the hospital. One female passenger broke her hip, and another had facial cuts requiring stitches. Royal Caribbean said in a statement that 12 guests returned to the ship and continued with their cruise.
The woman who broke her hip has remained in St. Thomas for further medical treatment. The line sent a crew member from the ship to remain with the woman and assist her. Royal Caribbean said its Care Team was providing support and assistance to all guests involved in the incident.
The accident, which is under investigation, happened one quarter mile west of Beacon Point at 9:23 a.m. The driver had no previous driving violations, and there was no immediate cause cited for the accident.
Serenade of the Seas was operating a seven-night Caribbean cruise that departed San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 21 and ended there Jan. 27. Port calls included St. George, Grenada; Castries, St. Lucia; St. Johns, Antigua; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
According to the U.S. Virgin Islands News the safari vehicle careened into mailboxes, struck a parked SUV, launched itself over a ridge and plunged 65 feet into thick bush.