Carnival Spirit crew member has gone missing and there are concerns the individual may have fallen overboard. The man, believed to be a member of the kitchen crew, was aboard the Carnival Spirit cruise liner on a voyage between Vanuatu and Fiji.

The crew member didn't report to his work station this morning. This promoted an extensive search of the Carnival Spirit,and search  operation did not locate the crew member.

Earlier on Tuesday, it was decided that the Carnival would retrace her course in the hope of locating the crew member and search and rescue authorities in the area had been notified and were assisting.

Carnival Spirit will remain in the ship pattern until officially released by the search and rescue.'

The cruise ship left Vanuatu yesterday on a 12-night Pacific Islands cruise and was scheduled for a sea day between Vanuatu and Fiji. Carnival Cruise Liners have not released the identity of the person.