55-Year-Old Cruise Passenger Missing After Shore Excursion in St. Maarten

Authorities in St. Maarten are searching for a 55-year-old American cruise passenger who disappeared after stepping off a tour bus during a shore excursion last week.
Ms Ann Evans, a guest aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, has not been seen since the ship visited the island on November 20, 2025.

Disappearance in Marigot

According to the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), Evans disembarked the ship around 10 a.m. to take part in an organised island tour.

The bus made a scheduled stop in Marigot, the main town on the French side of the island. Evans stepped off the vehicle during the stop, but she did not return to the tour group or to the cruise ship.

Marigot is a popular area for excursion breaks, known for its busy waterfront, local markets and cafés, where passengers are often given free time before continuing the tour.

Joint Search Underway

Police on both the Dutch and French sides of the island have launched a coordinated search effort.

KPSM and the French Gendarmerie are reviewing information, speaking with witnesses and checking locations around Marigot where Evans may have been seen.

What Happens When a Passenger Goes Missing Ashore

When a cruise passenger fails to return from a shore excursion, local authorities always take primary responsibility for the investigation. The cruise line cannot conduct searches on land, so police in the port area begin enquiries immediately once the missing person is reported.

Cruise lines support these investigations by supplying gangway timestamps, onboard CCTV footage, excursion manifests, and details of when the passenger last checked in or was seen by crew. Security teams may also interview tour operators, guides, and fellow guests who were on the same excursion to help establish a timeline.

If the disappearance occurs in a destination with multiple jurisdictions, as is the case in St. Maarten and Saint-Martin, authorities on each side coordinate their efforts and share information to widen the search area.

Ships do not normally hold departure unless instructed by police. Instead, the vessel continues its scheduled itinerary while the investigation continues ashore, and the cruise line maintains communication with authorities and the missing passenger’s family.

Appeal for Information

Police are urging anyone who may have seen Ms Evans, especially in the Marigot area on November 20, to contact them immediately. They are also asking that if Evans sees the appeal herself, she should contact her family or the police to confirm she is safe.

Contact numbers:

• KPSM (Sint Maarten Police): +1 (721) 542-2222
• Gendarmerie (French Saint-Martin): +590 590-29-25-25

Confirmed Timeline of Events

• 10:00 AM – Evans leaves Rotterdam for a booked island tour
• Late morning – Tour bus stops in Marigot
• During the stop – Evans steps off the bus and does not return
• Later that day – She does not return to the ship before departure
• Following the incident – Dutch and French police begin a joint search
• Nov 25–26 – Public appeal released by local authorities

About the Cruise

Rotterdam is sailing a 21-day round-trip itinerary from Port Everglades, with the voyage scheduled to return to Florida on November 28. Holland America Line has not yet issued a public statement regarding the disappearance.

You Might Also Like…