ms Nieuw Statendam accidents and incidents

01 January 2026Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On January 1, 2026, a 77-year-old female passenger went overboard from the ship navigating approximately 40 NM (~75 km/45 mi) northeast of Sabana, Cuba.

Following the report, the ship changed course and initiated a search and rescue operation in coordination with the USCG. A cutter and a rescue helicopter were deployed to the area. The search was discontinued after ~8 hours. Search efforts covered an area of ~690 mi2 (~1800 km2) and involved both shipboard personnel and Coast Guard assets. The woman's body was not found.

As a result of the search operation, the scheduled visit to Key West, Florida, was canceled.

The incident occurred during the 7-day "Eastern Caribbean Holiday with Amber Cove and Bahamas Cruise" (itinerary December 27-January 3, roundtrip from Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale) visiting Half Moon Cay (Dec 28), Grand Turk Island (Cockburn Town/Dec 30), Dominicana (Amber Cove/Dec 31) and Florida (Key West/Jan 2, canceled).

17 March 2025Coast Guard Medevacs

(CruiseMapper-emailed report from Mateo Arenas/received March 22, 2025)

A medevac occurred on March 17th, 2025, onboard Nieuw Statendam. I have videos, but no information regarding why the passenger was medevaced. The Captain made an announcement stating "A passenger became ill early this morning".

The incident occurred during the 7-day "Western CaribbeanCruise" (itinerary March 15-22, roundtrip from Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA) visiting The Bahamas (Half Moon Cay/Mar 16), Jamaica (Ocho Rios/Mar 18), Grand Cayman Island (George Town Harbour/Mar 19) and Mexico (Cozumel/Mar 20).

15 February 2019Crew / Passenger Deaths

On February 11, 2019, a male passenger drowned ashore while the liner was berthed at Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line's private island in the Bahamas). The police reported that the incident occurred ~3 pm. The man (Canadian) was found floating and unresponsive. CPR was rendered but he didn't regain consciousness. He was transported to a clinic on Eleuthera Island, where was pronounced dead.

The ship was on 7-day Western Caribbean cruise (itinerary Feb 10-17) roundtrip from homeport Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) to Bahamas (Half Moon Cay), Jamaica (Ocho Rios), Grand Cayman Island and Mexico (Cozumel).