Woman Survives 20 Hours Alone at Sea After Jumping From Cruise Ship — Says She Just Wanted to Get Of

GREECE — A 44-year-old woman from El Salvador survived approximately 20 hours stranded in the open sea after reportedly jumping from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship because she wanted to get off.

The woman was aboard the Odyssey of the Seas on October 9 when she went overboard in the Ionian Sea, southwest of the Greek island of Zakynthos.

According to Greek authorities, the woman later told rescuers that she jumped because she “wanted to disembark.”

What followed was an extraordinary overnight search-and-rescue operation.

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship involved in the October 9 incident.

The Royal Caribbean vessel joined the search as Greek Coast Guard patrol boats, aircraft, and nearby commercial ships combed the surrounding waters.

For approximately 20 hours, the woman remained at sea, reportedly floating inside a circular lifebuoy equipped with a flashing light.

In the early morning hours of October 10, crew members aboard the cargo ship MSC Rossella III spotted the woman approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Zakynthos.

Remarkably, she was still alive and conscious.

The cargo ship alerted Greek authorities, and a Coast Guard rescue vessel arrived to pull her from the water.

Dramatic nighttime footage released by the Hellenic Coast Guard shows rescuers throwing a line to the woman before bringing her to safety.

She received first aid and was transported to a hospital in Pyrgos, Greece, for medical examinations. Reports indicated she was suffering from mild hypothermia.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her decision to jump. Her full identity has not been publicly released.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident and said its care team was assisting the woman’s family.

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