A British pensioner has died after being found unresponsive in a swimming pool onboard the Marella Voyager while the ship was docked in Naples, Italy.
The 83-year-old man, from Scotland, was discovered on Tuesday afternoon, 19th August 2025.
Despite immediate efforts from fellow passengers and crew to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead.
Investigation by Italian Authorities
Police boarded the ship and detained it for several hours while checks were carried out.
Marella Voyager had been due to depart Naples at 5 pm local time but was delayed until the investigation concluded.
Officers later confirmed that the passenger had suffered a medical episode beside the pool before falling into the water.
No suspicion of foul play was identified, and the vessel was cleared to continue its Mediterranean sailing.
Cruise Line Statement
A spokesperson for Marella Cruises said:
“We can confirm that sadly a passenger passed away of natural causes onboard Marella Voyager. Our thoughts are with the passenger’s family during this difficult time, and our care team is providing assistance.”
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is offering support to the man’s relatives.
The ship departed Mallorca on 16th August and visited Sardinia before calling in Naples. Its itinerary continues to Rome, Corsica, Spain and back to Mallorca.
Recent Cruise Tragedies
This incident follows two separate deaths at Carnival Cruise Line’s new Celebration Key destination in the Bahamas on Friday, 15th August.
In those cases, a 79-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman – both American citizens – died after getting into difficulty while swimming.
Carnival said the incidents happened in different parts of the private resort, one in a lagoon and one at the beach, and confirmed that lifeguards and medical staff responded immediately.
While investigations are still ongoing, it’s believed that both guests also suffered their own personal medical emergencies while in the water, which led to them drowning.
The guests had been sailing on different vessels, Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Elation.
Both cruises have since continued as planned, with the line’s Care Team assisting affected families.
Cruise operators emphasise that while such events are rare, passengers should take precautions when entering the water, remain within their limits, and avoid swimming alone.
Thanks for reading!
I'm Hannah and I've been cruising for as long as I can remember.
If you enjoy my cruise tips, be sure to follow me on social media for more...
