Search Underway After Sun Princess Crew Member Goes Overboard
A crew member from Sun Princess, Princess Cruises’ newest and largest vessel, has been reported missing after going overboard on Wednesday while the ship was sailing through the Dardanelles Strait toward Istanbul, Turkey.
Incident and Immediate Response
The cruise line confirmed the incident in a letter to passengers, signed by Captain Craig Street on August 21, 2025. According to the statement, shipboard CCTV footage verified the overboard. Emergency protocols were immediately activated, and a coordinated search was launched with regional maritime authorities.
Despite hours of searching, the crew member had not been located at the time of the announcement. Princess Cruises has not yet released the individual’s name or role but said its care team is assisting the family during this difficult time.
Impact on Itinerary
Due to the search efforts and coordination with local officials, Sun Princess was redirected near Tekirdağ, Turkey. The vessel’s scheduled call in Mykonos, Greece, was canceled, and arrival in Istanbul has been delayed to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22. Guests have been asked to return on board by 11:30 p.m. The following day’s arrival in Athens, Greece, remains on schedule for August 23.
Passengers were assured that refunds for all pre-booked Mykonos excursions would be automatically processed to their onboard accounts. Guests who had booked half-day tours were advised that new meeting times would be delivered to their staterooms.
Support for Guests and Crew
The captain’s letter emphasized the emotional toll of the event, offering passengers access to specially trained counselors and a dedicated phone line for support.
The ship’s Tour Office and Shore Excursions Desk will operate with limited hours while staff focus on handling adjustments related to the itinerary change.
Princess Sun, man overboard. pic.twitter.com/6IKvvqJe31
— debbie the cat lady (@elmooo) August 20, 2025
About Sun Princess
Launched in 2024, Sun Princess is the largest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, weighing 177,882 gross registered tons and accommodating approximately 4,300 passengers. This marks the first reported overboard incident since the vessel entered service.
Broader Reactions
News of the tragedy quickly spread across social media, where many expressed sympathy for the missing crew member and their loved ones.
In his message, Captain Street reminded passengers that “the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members remains our highest priority,” asking for patience and understanding as the investigation continues.
Princess Cruises stated it will continue working closely with maritime authorities during the search and review of the incident.
