Police in the Bahamas are investigating after two American Carnival Cruise passengers drowned in separate incidents within three hours of one another at the line’s newly opened exclusive resort, Celebration Key.
A 79-year-old man died around noon Friday, followed by a 74-year-old woman at about 2:30 p.m., the Royal Bahamas Police Force said Saturday.
“According to the initial report, the male became unresponsive while snorkeling at a beach,” police said in a statement. “A lifeguard assisted him from the water, and CPR was administered, but to no avail. As a result, the male who is reported to be an American national was pronounced deceased by a medical doctor.”
A couple of hours later, officers responded to a second call regarding the woman, who reportedly “became unresponsive while swimming in a pool,” police said. As in the first case, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.
Neither drowning victim had been publicly identified by late Sunday.
“Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday — one in the lagoon and one at the beach,” Carnival said in a statement to media outlets on Sunday. “Sadly, both guests have passed away.”
Celebration Key, a private resort exclusive to Carnival passengers on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, opened with fanfare just under a month ago as the first passengers visited on July 19. The resort offers several lagoons, children’s activities, a water park, a beach club and several restaurants.
According to Carnival, the deaths occurred in a lagoon and at the beach, and each person was sailing with family on separate ships.
“One guest was sailing with family on Mardi Gras and one guest was sailing with family on Carnival Elation,” the cruise line said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our Care Team is providing assistance.”
The Elation was on a four-night cruise out of Jacksonville starting Thursday, and the Mardi Gras had embarked on a seven-night cruise out of Port Canaveral on Aug. 9, WTLV-TV reported.
“An autopsy will be performed on both victims to assist with determining the exact cause of death,” police said. “The investigation continues in both matters.”
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