Passengers on an Elvis-themed cruise ship have described how two tragedies rocked the voyage, including the death of an Australian man who fell overboard.
New South Wales Police received reports that a P&O passenger had fallen overboard from the Pacific Adventure ship 10 nautical miles off Sydney Heads shortly after 4am on Monday.
A search was immediately launched before the body of a man was discovered at 10.30am.
The P&O ship was due to dock at 6am in Sydney on the final day of the three-night Elvis tribute voyage, complete with themed parties, karaoke and trivia, but was delayed while police searched for the passenger who fell overboard.
There are unconfirmed reports that the passenger fell from the seventh floor.
The tragedy occurred hours after a passenger was medically evacuated from the cruise ship and transported to shore for further treatment.
Some of the 2,600 passengers said the ship’s crew provided little information about the latest tragedy when they finally disembarked at the White Bay terminal on Monday afternoon.
P&O’s Pacific Adventure docked at White Bay cruise terminal hours after passenger fell overboard and drowned
Elvis-themed cruise passengers had to wait before being able to disembark
There were emotional meetings after passengers were finally allowed to disembark.
“They didn’t tell us what was happening,” passenger James told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They told us that there was a man overboard and ready.
“They didn’t tell us what his name was or how old he might be.”
Lachlan added: ‘There was no communication whatsoever from staff.
‘We don’t know what happened.
“It happened at 4 in the morning and an alert went out informing us that a guy had fallen overboard.”
P&O Cruises declined to comment on how the tragedy unfolded while police prepare a report for the coroner.
‘Our crew and guests faced a tragic and challenging day. “We thank our guests for their patience and understanding,” a spokeswoman said.
The family of the deceased passenger was supported on board by staff, the company added.
It has since been revealed that another incident rocked the ship the previous morning after a frightened passenger detailed the harrowing events on social media.
“Yesterday at 6 a.m. it was announced that there was a medical issue and that a helicopter was on the way,” Cecile Thompson said.
“Three decks were evacuated from their rooms in an operation that lasted two hours.”
P&O has since confirmed the above incident.
“I can confirm that one guest was medically evacuated from Pacific Adventure yesterday morning and required medical treatment on the ground.” the spokesperson said.
A ship seen from the Pacific Adventure during the search for a missing passenger
Inside the White Bay terminal, expectant travelers and families picking up loved ones say the terminal ran out of food all day.
Peter and Jenny have been waiting to pick up their son Nathan in White Bay since 10.30am on Monday morning.
The ship, carrying more than 2,600 guests, was due to dock in Sydney Harbor at 6am but spent Monday morning searching for the missing passenger.
The cruise ship docked at the White Bay cruise terminal in Balmain on Monday afternoon and is expected to depart tonight on a four-night voyage to Queensland.
However, expectant travelers and families picking up loved ones said the terminal ran out of food.
“Passengers who were due to leave on that same ship tonight have been taken somewhere nearby so they can eat something and have other refreshments.” said a traveler who did not want to be identified.
Parents David and Jenny, whose son Nathan is blind and has cerebral palsy, say they did not know when he would be allowed to leave the ship.
“We’ve been here since 10.30 and the port authorities and P&O haven’t told us what’s going on,” Jenny explained.
“We’ve driven here from Broken Hill and we’re supposed to be heading to Dubbo, which is another six hours drive from here.”
Many passengers were relieved to arrive in Sydney on Monday afternoon.