Elderly Couple msg. from cruise ship Paradise, 1/13/09

[packy]

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A missing elderly couple likely fell off a Carnival Cruise ship between Long Beach and Mexico, company officials said Friday.

A 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife were aboard the Carnival Paradise when it departed Monday from Long Beach, but they could not be found when it returned Friday morning.

Miami-based Carnival said the couple's cabin door was double-locked from the inside with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle. Their belongings remained inside, and the door leading from the cabin to the private balcony was unlocked.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the couple was last seen Tuesday night near their cabin.

She said federal agents were interviewing passengers and crew and processing evidence.

The Coast Guard has been searching for the missing couple since Friday morning, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Prentice Danner. The search is being conducted by plane, not boat, because the area is so large, he said. (More at link)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jstwOv_wH-jheDnl24Yc0WSJfCPQD95OLMR80

[packy]

An elderly couple reported missing from a cruise ship is being investigated by the FBI.

The Associated Press reported that a 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife had been aboard the 70,367-ton, 2,054-passenger Carnival Paradise when it left Long Beach on Monday, but they could not be located when it returned to the port on Friday.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3022

http://www.cruisecritic.com/images/news/carnival_paradise_news.jpg

[packy]

They) are missing and presumed to have gone overboard," Carnival said in a statement.

The couple's names and hometowns have not been released.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the couple were last seen Tuesday night near their cabin. She said federal agents were interviewing passengers and crew and processing evidence.

The cruise started in Long Beach and stopped in Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada. Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said she did not know if the couple disembarked at either location.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11474426

[SavannahStar]

I wonder if they commit suicide together?????

Geez, ANOTHER case of persons overboard on a ship! :thud2: As I'm getting ready to plan a cruise for this August.....

:francis:

[foxfarmboxers]

I wonder if they commit suicide together?????

Geez, ANOTHER case of persons overboard on a ship! :thud2: As I'm getting ready to plan a cruise for this August.....

:francis:

My hubby isn't "all that" into these cases, (His oldest brother is missing right now)....but HE even said this this morning. "Wonder if they committed suicide together.".......

[SavannahStar]

My hubby isn't "all that" into these cases, (His oldest brother is missing right now)....but HE even said this this morning. "Wonder if they committed suicide together.".......

Yeh! That was absolutely my FIRST thought!

[foxfarmboxers]

Yeh! That was absolutely my FIRST thought!

Anything is possible.....I hope and pray that they are found soon. So sad.

[foxfarmboxers]

They) are missing and presumed to have gone overboard," Carnival said in a statement.

The couple's names and hometowns have not been released.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the couple were last seen Tuesday night near their cabin. She said federal agents were interviewing passengers and crew and processing evidence.

The cruise started in Long Beach and stopped in Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada. Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said she did not know if the couple disembarked at either location.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11474426


I just thought about this as well. Hopefully they disembarked at one of these two locations and just "missed the boat". Can't believe that the cruise line doesn't keep up with its passengers any better than this. Shameful. IMO.

[annalyzer]

Elderly couple missing from cruise ship in SoCal18 hours ago

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A missing elderly couple likely fell off a Carnival Cruise ship between Long Beach and Mexico, company officials said Friday.

A 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife were aboard the Carnival Paradise when it departed Monday from Long Beach, but they could not be found when it returned Friday morning.

Miami-based Carnival said the couple's cabin door was double-locked from the inside with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle. Their belongings remained inside, and the door leading from the cabin to the private balcony was unlocked.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the couple was last seen Tuesday night near their cabin.

She said federal agents were interviewing passengers and crew and processing evidence.

The Coast Guard has been searching for the missing couple since Friday morning, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Prentice Danner. The search is being conducted by plane, not boat, because the area is so large, he said.

The ship left Long Beach on Monday for a cruise to Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.

Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said she did not know if the couple disembarked in Ensenada or Catalina.

The couple's names and hometowns have not been released.

[annalyzer]

http://www.startribune.com/nation/37761074.html

Coast Guard suspends search for elderly couple who may have fallen off cruise shipAssociated Press

Last update: January 17, 2009 - 1:03 PM


LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Coast Guard suspended its search Saturday for an elderly couple believed to have fallen off a cruise ship between Long Beach and northern Mexico.

The aerial search for the 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife was halted after officials determined that their chances of surviving in the water were slim, said Chief Warrant Officer Scott Epperson.

"Factoring in their age and weights, their survivability in 59 degrees water was about 4 to 6 hours," he said. "The last time they were seen was 84 hours ago."

The couple were last seen Tuesday aboard the Carnival Paradise.

Officials also consulted with the couple's relatives, who agreed to suspending the search, Epperson said.

Miami-based Carnival said their cabin door was double-locked from the inside with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle. Their belongings remained inside and the door leading from the cabin to the private balcony was unlocked.

Crews searched throughout the night, tracing the route the ship had taken since it left Long Beach on Monday, with stops at Santa Catalina and in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning Friday.

The FBI was investigating, spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

[packy]

It does seem with their cabin door-double locked that they went out through the balcony.

[annalyzer]

http://www.ktla.com/landing_topstories/?Police-Search-for-Elderly-Couple-Missing=1&blockID=188192&feedID=1198

Coast Guard Suspends Search of Missing Elderly Couple


January 18, 2009


LONG BEACH -- The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a couple who were reported missing from the Carnival Paradise cruise ship yesterday.


A Coast Guard spokesman says the aerial search ended yesterday morning after consulting with the couple's relatives. Authorities said the couple's chances of surviving in the cold water were slim.


A 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife are "presumed to have gone overboard" while on a Carnival Cruise, according to the FBI.

The FBI says an elderly couple who left on a cruise from Long Beach on Monday was not aboard the ship when it returned to port Friday.


Based on information provided from the FBI and the cruise ship, a C-130 airplane from the Coast Guard Air Station in Sacramento searched specific areas where it was thought that the couple might have gone into the water.

It also searched along the entire track that the ship had taken during its cruise -- 1115 square miles of water, from Catalina Island down to Ensenada Mexico and back up to Long Beach looking for any signs of the couple.

Coast Guard Command Centers in Los Angeles and San Diego were also broadcasting a notice to mariners, asking ships captains to keep a look out while transiting the waters between Los Angeles and Ensenada.

According to investigators, the last time the couple had been seen by the ship's crew was about 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday.


The couple's cabin door was double locked from the inside with a "do not disturb" sign on the handle, according to a statement from Carnival. The door leading from the cabin to the balcony was unlocked, and the couple's personal belongings remained in the cabin.

The 2,052-passenger ship left Long Beach Monday and headed first to Santa Catalina Island, then to Ensenada, Mexico. It arrived back in Long Beach around noon on Friday.

Carnival Cruise line officials contacted the FBI when it was discovered that the couple was missing, according to FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller.
Eimiller said Friday that investigators were aboard the ship interviewing passengers, while an evidence response team was searching the couple's stateroom.

Eimiller said the FBI will not make any determination about "whether we're dealing with a homicide, a suicide situation or an accidental death" until all the evidence was gathered.


Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said she did not know if the couple possibly got off the ship in Catalina or Ensenada.


The names of the missing man and woman have not been released.

[annalyzer]

I wonder why they still won't release their names?

[dega101653]

I wonder if they actually went on this cruise for this purpose. Was wondering if they were both ill and were just tired and chose this way out?

[sunstar]

I wonder if they actually went on this cruise for this purpose. Was wondering if they were both ill and were just tired and chose this way out?

I had the same thought when I first read about this yesterday. It's very sad to think they deliberately went overboard, but from what we know of the room being locked, the 'do not disturb' sign and the balcony door unlocked, it does seem it's a good possibility. :1187603408.CR.Mothe

[awakening2lite]

http://www.startribune.com/nation/37761074.html

Coast Guard suspends search for elderly couple who may have fallen off cruise shipAssociated Press

Last update: January 17, 2009 - 1:03 PM


LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Coast Guard suspended its search Saturday for an elderly couple believed to have fallen off a cruise ship between Long Beach and northern Mexico.

The aerial search for the 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife was halted after officials determined that their chances of surviving in the water were slim, said Chief Warrant Officer Scott Epperson.

"Factoring in their age and weights, their survivability in 59 degrees water was about 4 to 6 hours," he said. "The last time they were seen was 84 hours ago."

The couple were last seen Tuesday aboard the Carnival Paradise.

Officials also consulted with the couple's relatives, who agreed to suspending the search, Epperson said.

Miami-based Carnival said their cabin door was double-locked from the inside with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle. Their belongings remained inside and the door leading from the cabin to the private balcony was unlocked.

Crews searched throughout the night, tracing the route the ship had taken since it left Long Beach on Monday, with stops at Santa Catalina and in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning Friday.

The FBI was investigating, spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.


This isn't the first case of the cabin door being locked and the belongs neatly in order.

I'm waiting to hear what they'll learn from the camera on board the ship.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg21/awakening2lite/ExpectedSurvivalTimeinColdWater.jpg

[sunstar]

This isn't the first case of the cabin door being locked and the belongs neatly in order.

I'm waiting to hear what they'll learn from the camera on board the ship.



Do you think something else besides them accidentally or purposely going overboard?

[awakening2lite]

Do you think something else besides them accidentally or purposely going overboard?


There are terrible crimes that have taken place on cruise ships. At their age I think they would be easy prey, don't you? They'd be easy to force over the balcony.

I'm not saying that happened, just thinking out loud. If their jewelry or cash was missing, robbery could be involved.

I'm not going to buy into suicide until everything is completely ruled out. I haven't read anything about a note being left behind either.

[awakening2lite]

http://www.uscglosangeles.com/clients/c770/27044.jpg PRESS RELEASE
Date: 17 January 2009
Contact: PADET L.A.
(310) 521-4264
Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Couple LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a couple who were reported missing from the Carnival Paradise cruise ship yesterday. Based on information provided from the FBI and the cruise ship, a C-130 airplane from the Coast Guard Air Station in Sacramento, Calif., searched specific areas where it was thought that the couple might have gone into the water, and along the entire track that the ship had taken during its cruise. The C-130 searched 1115 square miles of water, from Catalina Island down to Ensenada Mexico and back up to Long Beach looking for any signs of the couple.
Coast Guard Command Centers in Los Angeles and San Diego were also broadcasting a notice to mariners, asking ships captains to keep a look out while transiting the waters between Los Angeles and Ensenada.
The cruise ship had left Catalina Island bound for Ensenada, Mexico on Jan. 13, and had arrived in Long Beach yesterday. When the couple did not depart the ship the ships crew called the authorities. The last time the couple had been seen by the crew was around 7:45 p.m., on Jan. 13.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation on the disappearance. For inquiries into the investigation contact the FBI at 310-477-6565.
--The following seach pattern graphics do not include the track line search that was conducted on the path the cruise ship took from Catalina Island to Ensenada and back to Long Beach.

http://www.uscglosangeles.com/clients/c834/118729.jpg
Coast Guard C130 Search Pattern between Catalina and San Clemente Islands.

http://www.uscglosangeles.com/clients/c834/118730.jpg
Coast Guard C130 Search Pattern South West of Tijuana.

http://www.uscglosangeles.com/go/doc/834/249242/

[annalyzer]

Why aren't they releasing their names and photos so in case they didn't fall over board and were on land somewhere they could be spotted??

[SavannahStar]

There are terrible crimes that have taken place on cruise ships. At their age I think they would be easy prey, don't you? They'd be easy to force over the balcony.

I'm not saying that happened, just thinking out loud. If their jewelry or cash was missing, robbery could be involved.

I'm not going to buy into suicide until everything is completely ruled out. I haven't read anything about a note being left behind either.

I hadn't even thought of that (possibility of a robbery).

One other thing I did think of though was maybe the wife had fallen overboard accidentally and the husband was so distraught and not in his right mind and jumped in after her to "save" her. That doesn't seem likely though....at least from what I've been told, it is not easy to just fall overboard.....unless you are totally wasted and fooling around on the balcony.....which doesn't seem likely because of their age.

I still think suicide is the most likely scenario.

I wonder if there is anything at all in their background that family could have told them, to put the pieces together, ie., one was terminally ill, or that they were very depressed.....or just the opposite, they were happy, very independent, and looking forward to the cruise, etc.

It's such a mystery.

[Firehead]

I wonder if they commit suicide together?????

Geez, ANOTHER case of persons overboard on a ship! :thud2: As I'm getting ready to plan a cruise for this August.....

:francis:

My cruise sets sail on the 30th, but I am still going.

My first thought was that we will find out that one was terminally ill and they decided to commit suicide together. It wouldn't be the first time nor the last. I wonder how long they were married. I still think that.

[sunstar]

There are terrible crimes that have taken place on cruise ships. At their age I think they would be easy prey, don't you? They'd be easy to force over the balcony.

I'm not saying that happened, just thinking out loud. If their jewelry or cash was missing, robbery could be involved.

I'm not going to buy into suicide until everything is completely ruled out. I haven't read anything about a note being left behind either.

Oh I know about the crimes, and I still think that happened to George Allen Smith a couple of years ago. The only thing that makes me wonder about an intruder into the cabin here is the double lock on the door. Wouldn't that mean it had been locked from the inside? :shrug1:

[awakening2lite]

Oh I know about the crimes, and I still think that happened to George Allen Smith a couple of years ago. The only thing that makes me wonder about an intruder into the cabin here is the double lock on the door. Wouldn't that mean it had been locked from the inside? :shrug1:

The FBI is still investigating this. It won't be long and they will have a report available.

About the door locks. On some of the ships it is possible to move from one room to another through ajoining doors and for the brave and foolish, from balcony to balcony.

[sunstar]

The FBI is still investigating this. It won't be long and they will have a report available.

About the door locks. On some of the ships it is possible to move from one room to another through ajoining doors and for the brave and foolish, from balcony to balcony.

I'm also sure the FBI will have it figured out soon. If the couple committed suicide, it's very sad that they felt this was the answer. But if there's evidence of foul play, I hope whoever is prosecuted to the full extent for preying on the elderly.

[packy]

Why aren't they releasing their names and photos so in case they didn't fall over board and were on land somewhere they could be spotted??

I wonder why they aren't either.

No details about furniture on the balcony either. If chairs were pushed to the railing or anything that would point to how they may have gone over.

[awakening2lite]

I wonder why they aren't either.

No details about furniture on the balcony either. If chairs were pushed to the railing or anything that would point to how they may have gone over.


They might be trying to notify the next of kin before releasing the names.

[sunstar]

They might be trying to notify the next of kin before releasing the names.

I was thinking that too, and in addition if they did deliberately go overboard, maybe the family doesn't want their names revealed. :1222423:

[packy]

They might be trying to notify the next of kin before releasing the names.

I would hope they would have by now but maybe there are some complicating factors.

[Alibar]

Could be murder/suicide.... which seems more likely than both falling off.imo

[TigressPen]

:sad0119: The first thought I had was suicide pact.

[sunstar]

:sad0119: The first thought I had was suicide pact.

I thought of that too, Tigress. So sad. :1187603408.CR.Mothe Has there been any more news?

[awakening2lite]

Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2009
Ehline Law Firm
Another tragic event for the cruise line industry. There always seems to be plenty of work for cruise ship accident lawyers.

According to reports by cruise ship accident lawyers (http://cruiseshiplawsuits.blogspot.com/), the FBI says a couple that was aboard a Carnival cruise ship has disappeared and presumed to have gone overboard, their names have not been released. The couple was reported to be a 90 year old man and his 79 year old wife.

The couple it has been reported left from Long Beach on Monday and when the ship docked on Friday they were no longer aboard the cruise ship. Investigators have stated the ships crew last saw the couple on Tuesday evening at approximately 7:45 p.m.

According to FBI spokes person Laura Eimiller the ship left Long Beach with 2,052 passengers and was in route to Santa Catalina Island and then to Ensenada Mexico. FBI investigators boarded the ship and were interviewing passengers after Carnaval Cruise Line contacted them when the couple was found to be missing. An evidence response team boarded the ship to collect evidence from the couples stateroom that was found to be double locked from the inside with a “do not disturb” sign on the doorknob. The couple’s personal belongings were found in the room and the door to the balcony unlocked.

According to Petty Officer 2nd Class of the Coast Guard Prentice Danner, the Coast Guard was conducting a search for the couple from Ensenada, Mexico to Catalina Island and then to Long Beach. The Petty Officer stated no boats would be used due to the expansive area that was to be searched for the couple.

The Coast Guard search has since been halted after searching with no results and they have alerted ships captains in the area to the missing couple.

In a statement by Carnival Cruise Line spokes person Jennifer de la Cruz they have no knowledge if the man and his wife had gotten off the cruise ship at either the Catalina or Ensenada stops.

http://lawfuel.com/show-release.asp?ID=20509

[packy]

Still no identity which seems strange. So sorry they were never found. If they had gotten off it would seem they would have let someone know by now.

[awakening2lite]

Still no identity which seems strange. So sorry they were never found. If they had gotten off it would seem they would have let someone know by now.

It's when they do not release the names that it becomes difficult to cull any info from the media.

I did read a couple of articles that stated the next of kin had been notified. If that is of any help.

It is an on going investigation by the FBI and IIRC they are now looking into if the couple departed at the last visited port and did not re-board the ship. That seems unlikely to me as most of the cruise ships now issue cards with magnetic strips which they strictly require for boarding. Of course, that might not mean they were the actual users of the card (if they do have that record). IIRC most ships now have boarding cams and the electronic entry cards, so it would seem easy to check and verify they boarded.

We have not heard anything about the cameras that focus on the sides of the ship. Maybe this ship did not have that surveilance capability? There are so many questions, as yet unanswered.


I am at a loss to know why the ships are not required to have all the survielence cams monitered by a live person in real time. Wouldn't that ward off crime and make responding to persons overboard happen more quickly and be more likely to have a quick rescue?

[packy]

It seems like with so many missing people from cruises it would be beneficial to have live monitoring. But they may consider how cost effective it would be.

It is something to think about that it is possible that someone else could board using their card. If so then they would also have to stage the scene to look like they went overboard. If suicide then you would think they would leave a note or something with someone to show that they were getting affairs in order or such.

[awakening2lite]

It seems like with so many missing people from cruises it would be beneficial to have live monitoring. But they may consider how cost effective it would be.

It is something to think about that it is possible that someone else could board using their card. If so then they would also have to stage the scene to look like they went overboard. If suicide then you would think they would leave a note or something with someone to show that they were getting affairs in order or such.


When we look at the hundreds of employees on board one would think, for the safety of passengers, they could have 3 sharing a 24 hour shift watching the live cams. Think how that would improve the customer outlook on cruising with them? One could easily see how it would be an asset.

Not leaving a note is troublesome, by my way of thinking. They were an elderly couple and we know they left behind next of kin. They have had extended family and certainly they knew many people over the course of their lifetimes. For 2 people to not say goodbye, just seems more than odd to me.

[packy]

Seems odd to me too. At least some sign to show what they were thinking that maybe some of the relatives would realize.

[annalyzer]

Still no identity which seems strange. So sorry they were never found. If they had gotten off it would seem they would have let someone know by now.


Yes it's strange. How could anyone spot the couple had they been on land somewhere without anything to go on?

[awakening2lite]

Yes it's strange. How could anyone spot the couple had they been on land somewhere without anything to go on?

You do ask the best questions.

Since they (the FBI and probably Mex. authorities) will be searching at the port in Mexico, it might not be necessary to make the rest of the world aware of what methods they are using.

I tend to think the best and hope they are using photo images of the couple when speaking to the locals about them.

[Firehead]

You do ask the best questions.

Since they (the FBI and probably Mex. authorities) will be searching at the port in Mexico, it might not be necessary to make the rest of the world aware of what methods they are using.

I tend to think the best and hope they are using photo images of the couple when speaking to the locals about them.


Carnival certainly does use the card. We have to ding out and in at each port.
I think Carnival knows more than what it is allowed to say. Since I set sail this Saturday, I will be thinking of this elderly couple. (Not the same ship)

[awakening2lite]

Carnival certainly does use the card. We have to ding out and in at each port.
I think Carnival knows more than what it is allowed to say. Since I set sail this Saturday, I will be thinking of this elderly couple. (Not the same ship)

Hey Firehead!

Thanks for the input.

I hope you will have a very happy and fun filled safe cruise!

[sunstar]

It's when they do not release the names that it becomes difficult to cull any info from the media.

I did read a couple of articles that stated the next of kin had been notified. If that is of any help.

It is an on going investigation by the FBI and IIRC they are now looking into if the couple departed at the last visited port and did not re-board the ship. That seems unlikely to me as most of the cruise ships now issue cards with magnetic strips which they strictly require for boarding. Of course, that might not mean they were the actual users of the card (if they do have that record). IIRC most ships now have boarding cams and the electronic entry cards, so it would seem easy to check and verify they boarded.

We have not heard anything about the cameras that focus on the sides of the ship. Maybe this ship did not have that surveilance capability? There are so many questions, as yet unanswered.


I am at a loss to know why the ships are not required to have all the survielence cams monitered by a live person in real time. Wouldn't that ward off crime and make responding to persons overboard happen more quickly and be more likely to have a quick rescue?

Thanks so much for all the information! I agree with the last paragraph about the surveillance cameras. I would think with the number of passengers who go overboard that somebody would be monitoring the cameras in real time. I also think all ships should have cameras monitoring the decks, at least to tell if somebody has gone over even if they can't tell the specific level they fell from.

[Firehead]

I don't know if all the ships have cameras in place. I will have to take a look and see (if I remember) There would be a slight problem placing cameras so that they could see all balconies. If you have never been near a cruise ship, up close and personal, believe me they are BIG.The largest one I have sailed on so far is the Carnival Valor. 11 stories high in some areas and as long as 3 foot ball fields. Now when I just wrote that it does not begin to describe the height in ones mind.

I don't know if this couple has jumped over board or not. Strange that this is still under investigation and no further word.

The following info is from the Carnival Web Site. This gives you the dimensions of the ship.Total Staterooms - 1,026
Private Balcony Staterooms - 54
Decks - 10
Passenger capacity - 2,052
Total crew - 920
Officer's nationality - Italian
Ship size - Large
Tonnage - 70,367
Ship length - 855
Registry - Panama

Wow, I just looked at pictures of the different ships. The Paradise does not have a lot of Balcony rooms at all when comparing the ships. Look at the picture of Paradise and then look at Valor. You will be able to see how closed up the Paradise was. So if they did not commit suicide, someone better be arrested for foul play.

[packy]

Carnival certainly does use the card. We have to ding out and in at each port.
I think Carnival knows more than what it is allowed to say. Since I set sail this Saturday, I will be thinking of this elderly couple. (Not the same ship)

I think so too that carnival may know more than they can say.

Have a great cruise and take care.

A few interesting comments here. http://www.carnivalconnections.com/cruisetalk/forums/t/54368.aspx?PageIndex=1

[Firehead]

I think so too that carnival may know more than they can say.

Have a great cruise and take care.

A few interesting comments here. http://www.carnivalconnections.com/cruisetalk/forums/t/54368.aspx?PageIndex=1

Thanks for the link. As much as I go to the Carnival site, I never saw that. I do read over at Cruise critics also and not much was mentioned there.

Something is off kilter, we may never know what it is. I haven't read where next of kin have been notified or any other updates except for here and now at that site, where the couple was found safe.

I hope that this coupls family knows the true circumstances of the happening.

[awakening2lite]

The ships have a (for lack of a better term) diamond shape. The bottom portions of the diamond is mostly in the water, cabins with balcony are above the mid point of the diamond, leaving the upper portion to taper to the point. Bottom v, Top ^.

When someone jumps from a balcony they have to exert enough momentum to clear the balcony and other obstructions below them or crash into them. When they crash into obstructions it is fairly easy to determine because we are packaged in fragile skin and we break and leave evidence. It takes a bit of energy to jump out, away from the balcony, and clear those obstructions.

We have not heard of any reports of one or both of the bodies of the elderly couple having come into contact with the obstructions below their balcony. I'm having a hard time picturing this couple being able to jump away from their balcony and clearing the ship.

Maybe soon we'll have more information available.

[Firehead]

The ships have a (for lack of a better term) diamond shape. The bottom portions of the diamond is mostly in the water, cabins with balcony are above the mid point of the diamond, leaving the upper portion to taper to the point. Bottom v, Top ^.

When someone jumps from a balcony they have to exert enough momentum to clear the balcony and other obstructions below them or crash into them. When they crash into obstructions it is fairly easy to determine because we are packaged in fragile skin and we break and leave evidence. It takes a bit of energy to jump out, away from the balcony, and clear those obstructions.

We have not heard of any reports of one or both of the bodies of the elderly couple having come into contact with the obstructions below their balcony. I'm having a hard time picturing this couple being able to jump away from their balcony and clearing the ship.

Maybe soon we'll have more information available.

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_paradise/default.aspx?shipCode=PA

From the pictures of the Paradise, I really don't see cabins on the side with balconies. Also according to the items I previously posted, there are only 54 balcony cabins on the entire ship.

From my four sailings to date (each with a balcony) one could have easily stood on a chair and went overboard without hitting any deck below. There have been many people missing from cruise ships, not all the time they find evidence behind. Depends on the ship and which room they had.

I just hope that the family knows what happened and the reasons for it.

[awakening2lite]

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_paradise/default.aspx?shipCode=PA

From the pictures of the Paradise, I really don't see cabins on the side with balconies. Also according to the items I previously posted, there are only 54 balcony cabins on the entire ship.

From my four sailings to date (each with a balcony) one could have easily stood on a chair and went overboard without hitting any deck below. There have been many people missing from cruise ships, not all the time they find evidence behind. Depends on the ship and which room they had.

I just hope that the family knows what happened and the reasons for it.

Firehead, you are right. I found some additional images of the ship and that particular ship has the penthouse suites with balcony below the mid point and it is in fact positioned well out over the waters. Thanks for the correction.

[cavimom]

I just thought about this as well. Hopefully they disembarked at one of these two locations and just "missed the boat". Can't believe that the cruise line doesn't keep up with its passengers any better than this. Shameful. IMO.

If they had gotten off at an island the ship would know. You have to punch out in a single row when you disembark and punch back in. So I dont think they did. :cray:

[Firehead]

I am pretty sure that the cruise lines know a lot more than what was released. I would bet that the family has requested that all information be kept confidential.

I just returned from my cruise and we had a little incident. No, no one fell overboard (that I know of). We arrived in Naussa an hour early but no one could leave the ship or board the ship (except medical personal and LE) until all was cleared. All we were told was that it was a medical emergency and please be patient. After 50-60 minutes, all was cleared. Keep in mind that my balcony cabin was overlooking the dock. We did not see anything but LE and medical enter the ship. When we arrived in Fort Lauderdale we discovered that someone had died (heart attack). Naussa had kept everyone on the ship until it was determined that no foul play had happened.

I think another thing has to be told here. While we all questioned the fact why didn't the stewart inform anyone that he had not seen those two passengars in days, there could be a very logical reason. Most of the crew is from many different countries. On our ship alone, 65 countires were represented. Maybe they are use to people placing signs "privacy please" on their door for an entire cruise. A couple people on our cruise had that sign hanging on their door for 8 days. The one thing Carnival does have you do is to sign a paper on the first day that your stewart has introduced himself to you. Other than that you may not see him while he/she is working all during the cruise.

[packy]

That does seem to be the case, Firehead, that for some reason they want it to be confidential. Welcome back and thanks for the input about how some things work aboard ship.

[Firehead]

That does seem to be the case, Firehead, that for some reason they want it to be confidential. Welcome back and thanks for the input about how some things work aboard ship.

Thank You !

I guess we will find out if/when a lawsuit is filed. If the surviving (if any) relatives never file a lawsuit, I would think that it would explain it all.

You use to have to sign a slip if you got room service, but on this last trip, I found out that even that changed. However you do fill out a slip of what you want or you call it in so maybe that is an avenue that could have been checked.

To me it is strange that we have not heard a thing more about this.

[sunstar]

Firehead ~ thanks so much for the information and welcome back! :love0081:

[Firehead]

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb67/GunsNLittle/2009%20Cruise/IMGP1165.jpg

To give you an idea how big these ships are. Here we are in port in Tortola.

[packy]

Wow, great picture to show how really huge they are.

[annalyzer]

To give you an idea how big these ships are. Here we are in port in Tortola.

Wow, just wow. Thanks Firehead.

[MrzEzell]

that is beautiful thanks for the pic .. I pray they are able to find what happened with this pair very sad.

[Firehead]

that is beautiful thanks for the pic .. I pray they are able to find what happened with this pair very sad.

I think they know already but we will see.

[Firehead]

Want a better view of ships? Keep in mind that these buildings are two stories high. The Freedom was 11 decks high at one end. Again Carnival Freedom is on the right. This was in Antigua.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/Firehead11/IMGP1139.jpg

[Sioux_Girl]

Wasnt anything ever found out about this couple?

[Firehead]

Not that I know of. I really believe that the family knows exactly what happened and want it to be kept quiet.

[SavannahStar]

Not that I know of. I really believe that the family knows exactly what happened and want it to be kept quiet.


What do you think actually happened and why does the family want it kept quiet? (Suicide?)

Thank you for the photos of the ships! I am going on my first cruise this August....Carnival Legend/Western Caribbean.

[Firehead]

What do you think actually happened and why does the family want it kept quiet? (Suicide?)

Thank you for the photos of the ships! I am going on my first cruise this August....Carnival Legend/Western Caribbean.


Yes, I think it was a suicide pact between the couple. I have sailed Carnival 5 times and whenever there was a problem onboard, basically the cruise lines did everything in their power to aid the passenger in distress, including turning the ship around to meet up with the coast gusrd out of Pueto Rico.

Read everything you possible can on about the cruise! The first cruise I took, I had the doctor prescibe motion sickness patches (just in case) Turns out I needed them. So now I put them on one day before I fly down to FL, 2 days prior to setting sail! I was on the Legend, nice ship. Oh I could go on but......

We have booked our 2010 cruise but this one is on a different cruise lines. Going to sail on Oasis of the Seas. That ship is being built now. And still we are looking at sailing at the beginning of the year with our group !

:happy0158: