The new year is not starting as happily as possible aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, as a guest has gone overboard in the early hours of January 1, 2026.

A guest onboard the 99,863-gross-ton ship alerted Cruise Hive to the situation.

“Currently on the Nieuw Statendam. A guest has apparently gone overboard during the early hours of January 1st, 2026. The Captain has turned the ship around and is currently working with US Coast Guard assets to search our earlier track,” the guest wrote.

Satellite tracking confirms Nieuw Statendam did indeed reverse course and begin a zig-zag search pattern north of Baracoa, Cuba, back toward the Dominican Republic.

Other guests have noted on social media that onboard announcements were made at roughly 4:30 p.m. and 8 a.m., first looking for a missing woman and later confirming she was no longer on the ship and that a search operation was underway.

The Pinnacle-class ship is having a day at sea on Thursday, January 1, as she sails from Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic to Key West, Florida, for the last port of call on the 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

Nieuw Statendam spent New Year’s Eve in Amber Cove and plans to visit Key West on January 2.

Depending on how long the search efforts continue before the cruise ship is released, the visit to Key West may need to be adjusted or cancelled. Nieuw Statendam is due to return to her homeport in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, January 3, for debarkation.

Cruise Line Confirms Overboard

Cruise Hive reached out to Holland America Line for confirmation of the incident and received the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sailing in waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today.  The captain and crew initiated search and rescue procedures and are searching the area working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard which has deployed a cutter and helicopter to assist.”

Unfortunately, the sad incident appears to be a deliberate action on the guest’s part, as the cruise line reviewed security footage for the moment of the overboard.

“A review of closed-circuit cameras shows the guest alone on the ship’s third deck appearing to go overboard intentionally,” the statement said.

Read Also: What Happens During a Cruise Ship Overboard Alarm?

No further details about the guest have been released. This is standard procedure to protect the privacy of the individual as well as any possible traveling companies, family members, or friends, particularly while an active search is still underway.

Holland America Line’s family assistance team is offering support to the guest’s family.

“Our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” the cruise line said to Cruise Hive.

Overboard Incidents

Sadly, overboard incidents do happen on cruises. In late November, an elderly guest went overboard from Marella Explorer 2 in the Canary Islands, while just a few days earlier, a guest passed away after jumping overboard from Disney Wonder near Tasmania.

Regardless of where, when, or how an overboard occurs, cruise ships will immediately commence search operations, using all available resources to attempt to locate a missing and presumed overboard guest or crew member.

This includes alerting the closest authorities to the situation and possibly calling on aid from any other ships nearby to search.

Once other assets are able to take over the search, the cruise ship will likely be released to continue on its itinerary. When this happens will depend on the search area to be covered, what assets are available, weather conditions, how long the search has been ongoing, and other factors.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with everyone aboard Nieuw Statendam at this troubling time, especially those family members and friends most directly affected as well as crew members who will wish they could have been of assistance to avoid such a tragic start to the new year.

Urgent Search Underway After Passenger Goes Overboard on New Year’s Day