Taylor Swift-themed cruise returns to Miami after search for missing passenger suspended

Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas returned to Port Miami early Friday, concluding a Taylor Swift-themed cruise during which a woman fell from the ship’s 14th floor and into the water.

The 66-year-old passenger, who has not been identified, went overboard on Tuesday night around 9:30 p.m., a day after the cruise ship departed from Port Miami for the Bahamas.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the vessel was about 17 miles north of Nassau at the time.

“Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort and is working with local authorities,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement earlier this week. “We are also providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time.”

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the Coast Guard also responded and scoured the waters from above with helicopters and airplanes — but to no avail. On Wednesday, they announced they were suspending the search and rescue efforts.

“We were informed by @TheRBDF this afternoon that they are suspending the active search efforts pending further developments & were no longer requesting further @USCG assistance,” the U.S. Coast Guard wrote on X.

The Allure of the Seas, described by Royal Caribbean as “the most awarded ship in the world,” was packed with dedicated Swifties when the incident unfolded. They gathered together on the cruise liner — which boasts 18 decks, a carousel, a zip line, and dozens of restaurants — for a four-day voyage dubbed “In My Cruise Era,” marking the Florida leg of the singer’s record-shattering Eras Tour.

Some of the scheduled events included karaoke, a dance party and the trading of friendship bracelets.

According to the Royal Caribbean Blog, a fan site not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International, 199 of the ship’s nearly 2,800 staterooms were reserved for some 400 Swift fans, though it‘a not clear if the missing woman was part of the Swiftie festivities.