A transatlantic sailing aboard Norwegian Jewel took a tragic turn overnight when a Code Oscar, the maritime signal for a person overboard, was announced in the early hours of the morning.
According to passengers onboard, the alert sounded before 3 a.m. ship’s time, prompting immediate search operations that have continued for more than five hours. The crew reportedly retraced the vessel’s path through the North Atlantic in an effort to locate the missing individual.
Witnesses described how the outside walking deck was sealed off during the search to prevent passengers from interfering with crew activity.
“I’m surprised how long they’re searching, but it’s understandable because we’re in international waters—too far from any national Coast Guard to assist,” one Reddit user wrote in a firsthand account of the incident.
NCL Jewel is currently sailing a transatlantic cruise
Norwegian Jewel is currently sailing a 12-day, one-way transatlantic cruise from Barcelona, Spain to Miami, Florida, themed “Transatlantic Reposition Autumn Rock.”
The voyage for Norwegian Cruise Line began October 15, 2025, with calls in Cadiz, Spain (Sevilla) on October 17 and Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal on October 20, before the ship’s scheduled arrival in Miami on October 27.
Based on CruiseMapper.com, Norwegian Jewel was sailing through the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Azores Islands and roughly halfway between Europe and the United States. The ship was making steady progress toward Miami, far from any nearby coastline or rescue resources.
Search and rescue efforts underway on Norwegian Jewel
When a Code Oscar is declared, cruise ships are required to follow strict international maritime procedures, which include:
- Slowing or reversing course to retrace the ship’s path
- Launching searchlights and lifeboats when possible
- Notifying nearby vessels and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC)
Given the ship’s distance from shore, Norwegian Jewel’s crew continues to conduct onboard and visual searches while coordinating with maritime authorities.
Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident, and no further details have been confirmed about the missing passenger or the outcome of the search.
About Norwegian Jewel
Built in 2005, Norwegian Jewel is one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewel-class ships, accommodating approximately 2,300 guests and featuring venues such as Tsar’s Palace Restaurant and the Spinnaker Lounge.
The ship is completing her Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise, marking the end of her European season before beginning Caribbean and South Florida sailings.
Jesus, announcement was made at 158am. Only deck 7 where the boats are was closed to passengers, upper decks were not. A plane assisted in search this morning.
Thank you for the updates, we’ve updated the article with your new details! So sorry this happened during your cruise.
The Jewel went through so much this year … Although this is the worst we were not able to enter Ijmuiden nor Brugge during our cruise from 9/14 through 9/25 due to BAD weather in the North Sea .. (That was the last cruise before it went into dry dock for a few weeks to then do this cruise and for this tragedy to happen) .. Goodness Gracious ..