Galveston’s Carnival cruise ship rescues 2 men stranded in Texas Gulf

Galveston’s Carnival Cruise Jubilee rescued two men stranded on a kayak in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, January 29, according to a news release from the company. Carnival Jubilee’s team said the men used the kayak to stay afloat after their boat sank.

Officials said the cruise’s team members spotted the two men off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. The cruise team quickly rescued them, according to Carnival. The ship’s medical staff evaluated the two men and gave first aid and food. Officials did not disclose how far off the coast the men were when they were located. 

The ship’s team and Carnival’s Fleet Operation Center staff in Miami kept in close contact with Mexican Navy officials, the company stated. Officials arranged a transfer and completed it shortly after the rescue. 

The Jubilee departed Galveston on Saturday on a 7-day cruise of the Western Caribbean and after the rescue continued on its voyage to Mahogany Bay on Roatan Island, Honduras. The ship will return to Galveston on Saturday morning.

Carnival first introduced its Carnival Cruise Jubilee in Galveston in December, according to a release. It offers week-long Western Caribbean voyages and can “accommodate approximately 6,400 guests at full capacity, plus 1,750 crew,” the release stated.

“Carnival Jubilee is the fifth additional ship we’ve welcomed into our fleet since 2021 and an integral part of our growth strategy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a statement included in the release. “This ship will bring our most dynamic offering of fun to one of our most popular homeports and will be a great addition to our plans to remain the number one cruise line in Galveston.”