A 72-year-old British woman has been reported missing from the Marella Voyager as it travelled from Malaga towards the Caribbean, triggering a search aboard the vessel and an alert to ships nearby.

Right-wing coverage has emphasised fears that the passenger may have gone overboard, noting reports that the ship could have travelled about 550 miles between her last known sighting on Monday and the alarm being raised on Tuesday. The voyage was also said to have encountered strong winds, adding to concern around the search.¹

Tui, however, said there was nothing to suggest the weather had contributed to the disappearance. A spokesperson said the alarm was raised after a cabin steward found that the guest's bed had not been slept in, after which “a full search of the ship then took place” and authorities were notified.¹

Crew reportedly instructed passengers to gather at four muster stations while checks were carried out. One crew member described the muster process as “the only way we can find out if they're on board or not,” while another told passengers it was a check and not an instruction to leave the ship.¹

The UK Foreign Office confirmed that the missing person is British and said it was supporting her family while remaining in contact with relevant authorities. The US Coast Guard has reportedly asked vessels in the area to keep watch for a person in the water.¹

The Marella Voyager left Malaga on November 4 and had been due to arrive in Antigua before completing its itinerary in Barbados.