Tragedy Strikes: Royal Caribbean Passenger Loses Life on Snorkeling Adventure at Dream Island

A CRUISE ship passenger has tragically died during a snorkeling trip in a popular holiday hotspot, authorities say.

The unidentified guest had been holidaying in St Maarten when they suffered a medical episode on Thursday.

A passenger has tragically died during a snorkeling tour while holidaying on the Star of the Seas cruiser liner Credit: Getty The holidaymaker had been visiting St Maarten at the time of the medical emergency Credit: Getty

They were holidaying on the cruise ship called Star of the Seas when they joined their family on the day trip off the boat, The People’s Tribune reported.

The passenger was immediately rushed back to Port St Maarten, but was pronounced dead when they arrived ashore.

Following their death, the passenger’s body was stored in the ship’s morgue, rather than being transported home, as per their family’s request.

Further details regarding the medical emergency remain unknown, and it is still unclear if the snorkeling tour was purchased through the cruise line or with an independent .

The 1,196ft-long ship was the only vessel to dock in the port on Thursday.

It can carry up to 7,514 guests and 2,350 staff and crew.

According to Cruise Mapper, the Royal Caribbean cruise offered a seven-night journey from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The most recent trip departed on June 21.

St Maarten was the last stop before the ship was due to return home on Sunday.

It also stopped at Coco Cay – an exclusive and private Bahamas destination operated by Royal Caribbean.

Holidaymakers were then taken to the US Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas and Charlotte Amalie.

The vessel arrived in Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten at 8am on Thursday and left by 5pm on the same day, according to the company site.

There is an urgent care located at the cruise port in St. Maarten, but it has not yet opened its doors.

According to The People’s Tribune , the medical facility is fully equipped and ready to serve both passengers and cruise staff.

But it has remained closed due to “stalled or insufficient” government support.

Thousands of cruisers and crew members enter the port almost every day, with many people hopping off the boats to explore the local area.

The closest hospital to the port is about 3.5 miles away.

Congested traffic often causes wait times of roughly 20 minutes to drive there, according to CruiseHive.

The Sun has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment.