Carnival Paradise Cruise Ship Rescues 27 Cuban Migrants Near Cuba

On April 23, 2024, the Carnival Paradise cruise ship rescued 27 Cuban migrants from a small wooden boat approximately 20 miles west of Cuba. The migrants were found adrift at sea in a decrepit craft and were signaling for help when the cruise ship's bridge team spotted them around 2:30 pm.

The Carnival Paradise, which had just set sail from Tampa, Florida en route to Roatan, Honduras, promptly altered its course to intercept and rescue the distressed migrants. All 27 individuals, including a child, were safely brought aboard the cruise ship, where they were provided with food, water, and medical attention.

According to a statement from Carnival Cruise Line, the ship's crew notified the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West and officials in Roatan about the rescue operation. "All 27 individuals were brought aboard the ship, given food, and seen by the medical team," the statement confirmed.

Despite the detour to carry out the rescue, the Carnival Paradise is still scheduled to arrive in Roatan, Honduras on Monday as planned. The migrants will remain on board the ship until they can be handed over to the appropriate authorities.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced by Cuban migrants attempting to reach the United States by sea, often in hazardous vessels. It also underscores the critical role that cruise ships can play in rescuing individuals in distress and providing humanitarian assistance.

The rescue by the Carnival Paradise is the latest in a series of similar incidents involving cruise ships in the Caribbean region. Earlier in April, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a homemade boat off the coast of Key West and returned 16 Cuban migrants to Cuba. The Carnival Paradise itself has a history of helping distressed individuals at sea, having previously rescued a sailor in 2019 and taken on a total of 20 stranded people near Cuba in two separate incidents in 2022.

Carnival Cruise Line commended the actions of the Carnival Paradise crew, emphasizing their commitment to aiding those in need.

Key Takeaways

• Carnival Paradise cruise ship rescued 27 Cuban migrants adrift at sea off Cuba.
• Migrants were found in a decrepit wooden boat and signaled for help.
• Cruise ship provided food, water, and medical attention to the migrants.
• Carnival Paradise has a history of rescuing distressed individuals at sea.
• Incident highlights the risks faced by Cuban migrants attempting sea crossings.