In the first hours after the Carnival Valor set sail from New Orleans on Thanksgiving eve, a brother and sister set off for a place apropos of a holiday mood: They headed to an onboard bar.
Predictably, the man at one point stepped away to use the restroom.
But he didn't come back.
Hours passed.
He wasn't in his stateroom.
The 28-year-old had, quite simply, vanished.
What happened next has astonished at least one seasoned mariner who, with hours of hindsight, declared the stunning outcome unlike anything he's ever witnessed -- and nothing short of "one of those Thanksgiving miracles."
A search is launched by air and sea
It was around 11 p.m. when her brother walked off, the sister recalled, Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli told CNN on Thursday in a statement.
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At noon the next day -- Thanksgiving Day -- she reported him missing, the statement said. Officials haven't identified either one.
A man reported missing from the Carnival Valor sailing in the Gulf of Mexico was found in the water and rescued on Thursday. The Carnival Valor cruise ship is seen here in New Orleans on March 3.
Announcements echoed through the ship for the missing passenger to check in with guest services, passenger Mike Anderson told CNN on Thursday, and people "noticed security starting to search the boat with a photo of the missing (passenger) in their phones."
At around 2 p.m., a final check-in request was issued, he said.
Passengers were told the arrival time to their port of call in Cozumel, Mexico, would be delayed, Anderson said. His wife, Whitney Gaines, said one of the ship's pools was drained, but the couple said still no official announcement went out about what had happened.
The ship, Anderson said, then turned around.
"Carnival Valor retraced its route to support the search and rescue," Lupoli explained.
Then around 2:30 p.m., the Coast Guard got a call from the ship, Coast Guard Lt. Phillip VanderWeit said in a statement.
A cruise passenger was missing.
Soon, a multi-crew search for the man -- by air and by sea -- was underway, he said.
A 200-mile zone and a critical mission
An alert went out to all mariners in the gulf, and the Coast Guard "launched all available resources," Lt. Seth Gross, a search and rescue coordinator for the USCG told CNN on Friday morning.
That included a small boat from Venice, Florida, a helicopter based in New Orleans and airplanes from Clearwater, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama, he said.
A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew rescued the male passenger who had fallen overboard from the Carnival Valor.
The search extended more than 200 miles in the gulf, Gross said, adding the water temperature there Thursday night was just above 70 degrees -- and somewhat colder in the Mississippi River.
Given the time difference between when the man was last seen and when the Coast Guard was alerted, "we knew that communication with the mariners in the Gulf of Mexico was going to be critical," Gross said.
The mission intensified.
About 20 miles south of Southwest Pass, Louisiana, the crew of bulk carrier CRINIS was scanning the water, the Coast Guard said Friday in a news release.
Then, around 8:25 p.m., they spotted something.
'Unlike anything I've been part of'
It was the man.
A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew out of New Orleans headed to the spot -- and "hoisted the man onto the helicopter," VanderWeit said.
And he was responsive, USCG Petty Officer Ryan Graves said.
"He was able to identify his name, confirmed that he was the individual that fell overboard," Gross told CNN's Boris Sanchez on Friday afternoon. "He was showing signs of hypothermia, shock, dehydration" but could walk and communicate.
He "gave no really no clear indication of why he fell overboard or what time specifically," he added.
"The fact that he was able to keep himself afloat and above the surface of the water for such an extended period of time, it's just something you can't take for granted and certainly something that'll stick with me forever," Gross said.
Rescuers haven't been able to determine exactly how long he was in the water, Gross told "CNN This Morning" -- but it could have been more than 15 hours.
If it was that long, it's "the absolute longest that I've heard about -- and just one of those Thanksgiving miracles," he said.
In his 17-year career, "this case is unlike anything I've been a part of," Gross said. "I think it kind of blows the norm, the normalcy, out of the water here, and really just shows the will to live is something that you need to account for in every search-and-rescue case."
"If not for the alert crew aboard the motor vessel CRINIS, this case could have had a much more difficult ending," he said in the news release. "It took a total team effort from Coast Guard watchstanders, response crews, and our professional maritime partners operating in the Gulf of Mexico to locate the missing individual and get him to safety."
The rescued man was transferred to awaiting emergency medical personnel at New Orleans Lakefront Airport, Graves said.
He's being evaluated at a hospital, Gross said, and was reported in stable condition late Friday morning by the Coast Guard.
Back aboard the Carnival Valor, an announcement Thursday evening over the PA system informed guests there had been a man-overboard incident, Anderson said.
The ship, though, had been released from the search, Anderson recalled hearing, and again was sailing toward Cozumel.
2022′s best cruises for a winter getaway
Eastern Australia
According to Trips to Discover, the Emerald Princess is offering one of the year’s best winter cruises — one that takes travelers to Australia and New Zealand.
The cruise line offers a number of different packages, ensuring something fits your price range and your thirst for adventure. From visiting Sydney Harbor to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s a trip you won’t want to miss if you are looking to escape the winter weather.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico, is one of the best winter cruise destinations, Celebrity Cruises said. Beginning in Miami, Florida, the cruise is perfect for any looking to enjoy a little nightlife before making it to Mexico.
“Dive over one of its crystal-clear reefs and discover an underwater world full of stingrays, sea turtles, and exotic fish,” the cruise line said in their report. “For a truly unforgettable day in port, head to the nearby Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, where you’ll walk among ancient temples and pyramids that date back to 600 A.D.”
Caribbean and Bahamas
According to Cruise Critic, travelers looking for a little winter getaway can’t do better than the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Dropping chilly winter weather for sunny, 80s temperature climate is its own reward, but the area has so much more to offer for beach lovers. Cruises lines leave as for north in the U.S. as New York and as far down the east coast as Florida, making finding a cruise that fits your travel, adventure and budget needs a breeze.
Galapagos
Cruise Critic reported that Galapagos cruises are excellent winter vacation options as well, largely due to the fact that the local area will be experiencing summer. The Galapagos, however, offers animal lovers something unique — a vacation boon that the Bahamas can’t quite match.
Turtles and sea lions are out and about during this time of year for their mating seasons. The seas are also notably calmer during this time of year, making for clearer water to spot sea life while snorkeling.
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First-time cruise? Here are 5 tips for a great voyage
1. Pack smartly.
Much like traveling on an airplane, it’s possible to check a bag or two that can be dropped off at the terminal and delivered to your stateroom. However, it’s wise not to overpack.
Staterooms, even with balcony upgrades, tend to be small and have limited closet space. Plan ahead to have casual outfits for wandering the ship, two or three pairs of shoes, at least two swimsuits and one or two formal outfits for dinner. It’s likely that some days will require multiple changes of attire.
Don’t forget essentials like sunscreen and a small bag to take off the ship for excursions. With that said, don’t pack too many options or you’ll be dealing with heavy bags and cramped quarters.
2. Make a plan, but leave room in the schedule.
Every cruise line should offer a daily planner delivered to staterooms daily. This is helpful for figuring out both port information, arrival and departure times and daily activities on the ship. Is there a show you’re eager to see? Perhaps an evening karaoke night worth checking out? Many cruise lines also offer apps where you can create a custom itinerary.
It’s also worth looking ahead to learn more about ports and excursions, which can be booked through the cruise line for convenience and the reassurance that you’ll get back to the ship in time.
Spa experiences and specialty dining should also be reserved ahead for the best chances of getting preferred times. But vacation shouldn’t be stressful or overscheduled, so make sure to leave holes in the day for time by the pool or drinks while lounging in the sun. Perhaps the casino or arcade will call your name.
Ideally, the cruise line should make it easy to plan outings while leaving plenty of time to relax. Good service and amenities sure help with that.
3. Know what’s included in your package, and take full use of it.
Whether booking through a travel agent or direct with a cruise line, packages often bundle specialty dining experiences and drink packages so that many costs are factored in before the trip begins.
There may be a chance to spend money and support local tourism economies while in ports, but at sea, your options are only so many for getting a drink or a bite. Because of this, it makes sense to upgrade with a drink or dining bundle. It’s also wise to be aware of exactly what’s included in that package and take full advantage of it. After paying for something upfront, it’s a shame to have it go to waste.
Five piña coladas in one afternoon? On a cruise ship, the world is your oyster.
4. Remember the cost of all the extras.
When browsing offers and advertisements from cruise lines, some numbers jump out, making an appeal to those looking for an affordable vacation. “7 nights from $180″ or “from $199 per person” are some of the offers that pop up.
Those prices don’t factor in government fees, taxes and port charges, which often total more than $100. The incentives can be nice, such as kids sailing for free, free balcony upgrades or onboard credit. But going on vacation shouldn’t require sacrificing luxuries, ideally, and the extras can add up. Be sure to factor in what the grand total might be before getting baited by advertisements that seem almost too good to be true.
Pack some cash for tips, though some cruise lines include a service charge on bar bills. It’s generally a good idea to prepay for most packages and excursions ahead of time so that finances aren’t a worry during the trip — your total cost is already mostly behind you.
5. Take advantage of the ship’s amenities.
On embarkation day, it’s a good idea to walk around the ship and get a sense for the amenities. Until boarding one of these modern-day floating behemoths, it’s hard to fathom that a ship can contain a roller coaster, waterslides, go-karts, wind tunnel sky diving, zip lines and a surf simulator (not necessarily all on one ship).
Those are all real-world but potentially more extreme examples. Even without seeking the most extreme amenities, many ships have plenty of shops, shows, restaurants, casinos, arcades, pools and bars to explore.
Depending on the length of the cruise and the number of ports, you’ll be spending a decent amount of time on the ship. Time spent relaxing in the stateroom or by the pool can be nice, but take advantage of everything these luxury liners have to offer.
When pulling into port at the end of your journey, it might also make sense to stay on the ship until others have disembarked. If you’re not in a hurry, soak up a little more time on one of these megaships and savor every minute of the experience.
