Two cruise passengers drown hours apart at $600m newly-opened Carnival cruises Bahamas resort
Two tourists have died just hours apart at a $600m newly-opened private resort in the Bahamas owned by cruise liner company Carnival.
Police have launched investigations into the incidents, which took place on Friday, August 15. A spokesperson for Carnival told The New York Post that two “water emergency incidents” took place on the company’s private resort on Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island, which opened to visitors only two months ago.
The spokesperson said: “Carnival lifeguards and medical teams working at the resort responded to both incidents, one occurring in the lagoon and the other at the beach.”
They added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families and our Care Team is providing assistance.”
The passengers were identified as two American nationals - a 79-year-old man, and a 74-year-old woman. The Royal Bahamas Police Force have launched an investigation.
The force said in a statement: “Police on Grand Bahama are investigating the circumstances surrounding two drowning incidents that occurred on Friday, 15th August 2025, at a private tourist destination.”
Police said that officers were first alerted an incident just before noon, with the 79-year-old man becoming unresponsive while snorkeling at a beach. The force said: “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.”
The second incident took place just after 2.30pm, with the woman, who was a passenger on a separate vessel, being found unresponsive while swimming in a a pool. Authorities added: “A lifeguard assisted her out of the water, and CPR was administered, but to no avail. As a result, the female who was reported to be an American national was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
“An autopsy will be performed on both victims to assist with determining the exact cause of death. The investigation continues in both matters.”
One of the passengers is said to have been with family on a six-day trip of the Eastern Bahamas onboard the Mardi Gras ship, which set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida. The other passenger was traveling on the Carnival Elation on a four-day trip, which set sail from Jacksonville, Florida.