Passengers aboard Celebrity Eclipse witnessed an unexpected moment at sea when the cruise ship altered course to assist a small craft in distress approximately 25 miles offshore. Multiple guests onboard the Solstice-class vessel later shared photos and firsthand accounts of the rescue operation.
The incident occurred during the ship’s current 6-night round-trip sailing from Fort Lauderdale, which departed on December 28, 2025. The sailing is scheduled to visit Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Nassau before returning on January 3, 2025 to Florida.
Based on passenger reports and publicly available tracking data, Celebrity Eclipse deviated from its planned route south of Cuba to provide aid to the distressed boat. The incident occurred while the ship was sailing from Fort Lauderdale to its first port of call, Grand Cayman.
In a post shared to the Celebrity Eclipse Facebook page, one passenger wrote that the ship’s captain made an announcement explaining the diversion:
“Captain Nigel just let us know we are turning around to go back to help a small craft in need 25 miles off shore! I hope we can help!”
Later, the same passenger provided an update on the outcome of the operation, “Rescued them and they are now onboard with our medical team!!! They were very lucky—back to our regular cruise path.”
Photos show rescue operation by Celebrity Eclipse
Photos taken by passengers from upper decks show a small, weathered vessel floating low in the water alongside one of the ship’s bright orange rescue boats.
Crew members wearing helmets and safety gear can be seen assisting occupants of the smaller craft during the rescue operation. Additional images show the rescue boat returning toward the cruise ship after the rescue was completed.
While details about the number of people rescued and the cause of the distress were not immediately available, passengers described the operation as orderly and professional, with the ship’s medical team standing by once the individuals were brought onboard.
Following the rescue, passengers reported that Celebrity Eclipse returned to its planned itinerary with no immediate change to the ship’s sailing.
Ship tracking confirms course change
Screenshots from marine tracking data from CruiseMapper indicate a noticeable turn in the ship’s plotted path near the western Caribbean. The track shows Celebrity Eclipse reversing its course near Cuba before continuing onward toward its next scheduled port.
These rescue operations are not uncommon for cruise ships. When a cruise ship receives a distress calls from a nearby vessel, a rescue operation typically takes place. Under international maritime law, ships at sea are legally obligated to render assistance to people in distress whenever it is safe to do so.
This requirement is established under conventions such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The duty applies to all vessels, including commercial, private, and passenger ships alike, and is not limited to coast guard or naval units.
Large cruise ships are often well-equipped for such situations, carrying trained crews, medical facilities, and rescue craft that can be deployed quickly. When a cruise ship is the nearest vessel, it is both lawful and expected for it to respond.
For example, in October 2025, Norwegian Epic assisted in the rescue of approximately 65 migrants off the coast of Greece after their small vessel was reported in distress. The cruise ship diverted from its planned route to provide support with the rescue operation.
About Celebrity Eclipse
Celebrity Eclipse is a Solstice Class cruise ship that first launched in 2010. Designed with a focus on modern elegance and relaxed luxury, the ship carries just over 2,800 passengers at double occupancy and is known for its spacious public areas, high crew-to-guest ratio, and refined onboard experience.
One of the ship’s signature features is the Lawn Club, a half-acre of real grass on the top deck, which is unique among large cruise ships and used for casual lounging, outdoor games, and events.
Celebrity Eclipse also features a wide range of specialty dining venues, a full-service spa, multiple pools, and an expansive theater offering nightly entertainment.
