Carnival Paradise Rescues 5 Refugees From Drifting Raft Off Cuba

The crew aboard Carnival Paradise acted swiftly and heroically on May 14, 2025, when they spotted a small, overcrowded boat in distress south of Cabo San Antonio, Cuba.

The ship, en route to Montego Bay, Jamaica, as part of a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary, had just departed from Key West the day before.

The makeshift craft, which held about 15 people, appeared unstable and unsafe. Carnival’s team launched a lifeboat to investigate and brought five individuals onboard who requested rescue.

The remaining passengers declined assistance but were provided with food, water, and fuel by the crew. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified for further response.

A spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line confirmed the rescue, adding, “The five people who requested rescue were part of a larger group on board the small boat… The United States Coast Guard was notified, and a transfer will be coordinated.”

Standard maritime protocol was followed, including providing the rescued individuals with food, water, and medical care.

While they are not permitted to continue the cruise as passengers, they will be safely transferred at a future port—likely in George Town, Grand Cayman, or at the turnaround in Tampa on May 18.

This is not the first time Carnival Paradise has responded to distress at sea. The ship has a long-standing history of aiding those in need, including rescues off the coast of Cuba in both 2022 and 2024, and assisting a sinking vessel near Cozumel in 2019.

Thanks to the vigilance and compassion of Carnival’s crew, five more lives were safely brought aboard, continuing a proud legacy of seafaring aid.