Princess Cruises' 2,000-guest cruise ship, Sea Princess, yesterday rescued three sailors who were forced to take to a life raft after their boat sank in the south Caribbean.

Sea Princess was sailing on a world cruise when she was asked to go to the rescue scene by the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Curacao in the Lesser Antilles after distress calls were received from a stricken vessel.

The ship immediately turned around and sailed 60 nautical miles to reach the three sailors where a fast rescue boat was lowered to retrieve them from their life raft just before midnight.

A tanker had been standing by but had been unable to lower a rescue boat in the prevailing conditions.

After being picked up from the life raft, the three sailors were taken aboard Sea Princess and admitted to the ship's medical centre. They have been given a clean bill of health.

Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises vice president UK & Europe, said: “We are very proud that the captain and crew of Sea Princess were able to act quickly and effectively in the assistance of others in distress at sea.”

Sea Princess resumed sailing and arrived at Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, slightly delayed. On Tuesday July 29 the vessel will navigate the Panama Canal on a homeward leg to Sydney across the Pacific Ocean.

ENDS

About Princess Cruises

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year on 170 itineraries to more than 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England and World Cruises. Itineraries range in length from three to 111 days.

In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass cruises enabled by the Ocean Medallion - the cruises industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to a hassle-free, personalised cruise, giving guests more opportunity to enjoy their time onboard. Ocean Medallion will be activated on five ships by the end of 2019. An activation plan will continue across the global fleet in 2020 and beyond.  

Princess Cruises continues its multi-year, “Come Back New Promise” – a £330 million-pound product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign that will continue to enhance the line's onboard guest experience. These product innovations include partnerships with award-winning Chef Curtis Stone; shows created in partnership with Broadway-legend Stephen Schwartz; immersive activities for the whole family from Discovery and Animal Planet from exclusive shore excursions to onboard activities; the ultimate sleep at sea with the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed and more.

Three new Royal-class ships are currently on order with the next new ship, Sky Princess, under construction scheduled for delivery in October 2019. Princess recently announced that two new (LNG) ships which will be the largest ships in the Princess fleet, accommodating approximately 4,300 guests with expected delivery in 2023 and 2025.  Princess now has five ships arriving over the next six years between 2019 & 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).