The crew of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Brilliance of the Seas rescued 11 migrants adrift in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday after spotting their vessel in distress. The refugees, found floating between Cuba and Mexico, were brought aboard the cruise ship, where they received medical care, food, water, and warm clothing.
The rescue happened during a seven-night Caribbean cruise chartered by VACAYA, an LGBTQ+ vacation company. The ship had departed from New Orleans on Saturday and was en route to Progreso when passengers and crew noticed the distressed vessel. Video footage from the scene shows a rescue boat sailing between the migrants’ small craft and the cruise ship, ferrying the individuals to safety in small groups.
“This was a truly collective effort,” a representative for VACAYA said in a statement. “Guests on board rallied to help, collecting dry clothes for the rescued individuals, while Royal Caribbean provided emergency care.”
Passengers aboard the Brilliance of the Seas described the rescue as both harrowing and heartwarming. “It was incredible to see everyone come together to help these people,” said one guest. “You could see how desperate their situation was, but the crew handled it with such professionalism and care.”
The migrants’ condition upon rescue has not been disclosed, but Royal Caribbean confirmed that they are receiving ongoing care. The company is coordinating with relevant authorities to determine the next steps for the individuals.
