Cruise & Ferry
SA female crew member stabbed on Bahamas cruise ship
Yet another South African crew member was attacked abroad. This time, a 28‑year‑old female suffered multiple stab wounds aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas on 24 July. The attack took place in the waters off San Salvador Island.
Icon of Seas image used for illustrative purposes/Concord/Wikimedia Commons
Trouble in paradise
According to SmileFM, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said a 35‑year‑old South African bartender allegedly stabbed his female coworker after an argument. They believe the two were in a personal relationship.
Onboard medical staff treated the woman immediately. They stabilised her condition before she flew to a Miami hospital for further care. She remains in good condition.
Passengers watched in shock as the suspect fled the scene. He climbed over the ship’s railing and jumped into the sea. Crew members launched a speedboat within minutes.
They found him unresponsive. Medical personnel declared him dead on the rescue vessel. Police are investigating the circumstances of his death.
This attack follows the murder of another South African woman at sea. The 20‑year‑old Paige Bell was found dead in the engine room of the luxury yacht Far From It. A Mexican ship engineer faces a charge of culpable homicide and is due back in court in November.
Royal Caribbean has offered its full cooperation to the Bahamian authorities. The company said it takes crew safety very seriously. Passengers expressed concern over growing violence against South African staff in the region.
Police urged anyone with information to come forward. They stressed the importance of witness accounts in understanding what led to the fatal jump.
Investigators will interview the crew and passengers. They aim to piece together the final moments before the suspect entered the water. A full report is expected once all statements are recorded.
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Frank M
Frank is a seasoned travel journalist with over a decade of experience covering hospitality, cruise, and air travel.
He has traveled extensively by land, sea, and air, collaborating with industry giants like Marriott, Hyatt, Disney, and Carnival Corp. His work has been featured in major international and industry publications across four continents.
Villa Vie Residences is set to make its debut in Asia and the Far East in August, as the Odyssey crosses the Pacific for the first time.
The residential ship is currently cruising to Hakodate, following the completion of its Alaska program in late July.
Following 11 days at sea, the 650-guest ship is set to arrive at the Japanese port on August 7, 2025.
The Odyssey then kicks off a series of visits to destinations in Japan and South Korea, including Sendai, Shizuoka, Kochi, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Jeju.
Highlights of this segment of the itinerary include a four-day visit to Yokohama, from which guests will be able to visit Tokyo, as well as a three-day visit to Kobe, which serves as a getaway to Osaka and Kyoto.
After sailing to Amami, Ishigaki, and Naha, the Odyssey completes its schedule in Japan in early September.
The ship then heads south for visits to destinations in Taiwan and the Philippines, including Keelung, Anping, Subic Bay, Manila, Boracay Island and Puerto Princesa.
Continuing its deployment in Asia, the vessel is scheduled to visit ports in Guam, Micronesia, Palau, Indonesia, Australia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea through December.
The itinerary also features visits to Wallis and Futuna, Samoa, American Samoa and French Polynesia before the end of the year.
The Odyssey will continue to sail in the South Pacific in early 2026, visiting additional destinations in Australia, as well as New Caledonia, Tonga, the Cook Islands and more.
Villa Vie recently celebrated another milestone after sailing to its 100th port since launching service in late 2024.
According to the company, the breakthrough was reached during a visit to the port of Icy Strait Point in Alaska.
Before arriving in Asia, the Villa Vie Odyssey visited destinations in Africa, the Atlantic, the Caribbean, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
The ship then sailed to Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera, in addition to the U.S. West Coast and Alaska before repositioning to the Far East.
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