Placeholder Content Image

Sad reason why Sydney dad went overboard

<p>A father-of-three who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/sad-end-in-search-for-overboard-cruise-passenger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fell overboard</a> a P&O cruise ship last week has been identified, and his brother claimed that he had racked up a $4,000 casino debt onboard after being lured to spend big by the company's incentives. </p> <p>Shane Dixon, 50, died after falling overboard the cruise ship two hours before was due to dock in Sydney Harbour at 6am on Monday, May 6. </p> <p>Shane was reportedly on the three-day Elvis-themed cruise to Queensland's Moreton Island with his mother Sue Dixon, 66, who had saved up for the trip. </p> <p>"Our mother is devastated. Broken," Shane's brother Scott Dixon told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13410955/Dad-three-plunges-death-luxury-cruise-liner-running-eye-watering-debt-ships-casino-tables-insider-reveals-high-rollers-lured-gamble-Australias-shores.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Daily Mail Australia</em></a>. </p> <p>“She has already buried one son and now she has to bury another one,” he said. </p> <p>Scott said that his brother was going through a rough time, as he struggled financially due to a series of tragedies including the breakdown of his marriage, and the deaths of their brother and father. </p> <p>Shane had spent $5000 at the cruise’s casino on the Friday, and Scott claimed that his brother received free drinks,  a $750 play voucher and a ticket for a future cruise. </p> <p>In Australia, strict laws govern how gaming providers can advertise gambling, with promotions like the above, which may encourage someone to spend more than they intend banned. </p> <p>However, cruise ships that operate casinos in international waters can bypass these laws, reported the <em>Daily Mail.</em> </p> <p>After borrowing money from his family to repay the debt, Shane ended up spending another $4000 the following night, according to Scott. </p> <p>"His brain was probably going 100 miles an hour. He probably thought, ‘s***, I’ve done it again. I can’t afford it and I can’t ask mum for more money," Scott said. </p> <p>He added that P&O staff have been amazing and compassionate towards his mother. </p> <p>A P&O Australia spokesperson said they won’t be commenting on the claims due to the coroner’s investigation that is underway.</p> <p><em>Images: ABC News/ news.com.au</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

5 ways to avoid going overboard on a cruise

<p>Falling overboard is the stuff of cruising nightmares (and it happens surprisingly more frequently than you might think. Just this year we’ve brought you two stories about passengers falling overboard, but this fishy fate is by no means unavoidable.</p> <p>Here are five ways to ensure you keep your feet dry.</p> <p><strong>1. Limit your alcohol intake</strong></p> <p>If the prices weren’t enough of a reason to go easy on the sauce on your cruise, perhaps the risk of tipping over the balcony will persuade you. Think of it this way – the effect of alcohol on a cruise is the same as the effect of alcohol on dry land, but when you’re on a cruise you’re travelling through sometimes heavy seas at about 20 knots.</p> <p><strong>2. Stay in your room during inclement weather</strong></p> <p>If your ship is sailing into dicey conditions, you’re better off keeping to your quarters. You never know how a cruise liner is going to stand up to the ocean’s wrath, and even if you want a good view of Mother Nature’s nasty side, you’re safer below deck. </p> <p><strong>3. Keep clear of dark corners</strong></p> <p>It’s not a very pleasant thing to think about, but when there are 4,000 passengers on a cruise they’re not all going to be good eggs. Be aware of your surroundings, just as you would be on land, and be sure to report any suspicious activity to a crew member.</p> <p><strong>4. Pay attention during the practice drills</strong></p> <p>Even if you’ve been on 20 cruises it’s a good idea to pay attention during the practice drills. This will reinforce what you need to do in an event of an emergency, and might just save your life (or someone else’s by knowing where to find the safety gear).</p> <p><strong>5. Don’t re-enact the <em>Titanic</em> scene</strong></p> <p>Because going overboard will make you look like anything but, “The king of the world.”</p> <p>Have you ever been on a cruise? Did you ever feel unsafe at any point? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Cruising

Placeholder Content Image

"His family was horrified": Young man jumps off cruise ship

<p>What was meant to be a voyage of leisure and joy turned into a nightmare in the early hours of Thursday morning when a young man made a fateful decision to leap overboard, leaving passengers and crew stunned and grieving.</p> <p>The incident occurred as Royal Caribbean's colossal 18-storey <em>Liberty of the Seas</em> cruise ship navigated the waters between Cuba and the Bahamas' Grand Inagua Island. <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/04/04/us-news/royal-caribbean-cruise-horror-as-20-year-old-man-jumps-overboard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to the New York Post</a>, witnesses recounted the harrowing scene: a young man took a spontaneous plunge from one of the ship's decks, despite the desperate pleas and helplessness of his father and brother who stood witness to the impulsive act.</p> <p>Passengers onboard shared their accounts, describing the chilling moments leading up to the tragedy. Bryan Sims, one of the witnesses, told the <em>New York Post</em> he had spent time with the young man and his brother in the ship's hot tub until the early hours of the morning. "He was pretty drunk," Sims said, noting the jovial atmosphere that abruptly transformed into shock and chaos.</p> <p>The young man's declaration to his father, followed by his abrupt jump, left bystanders reeling in disbelief: “As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us," Sims continued. "His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess. When we got to them, he said to his dad, ‘I’ll fix this right now.’ And he jumped out the window in front of us all.” </p> <p>Deborah Morrison, another passenger, echoed the sentiments of shock and horror that rippled through the ship. "His family was horrified. Just beside themselves," she recounted. “There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately.”</p> <p>In a statement addressing the tragic incident, Royal Caribbean affirmed its commitment to providing support to the family, while respecting their privacy during this difficult time. </p> <p>Amy Phelps Fouse, another passenger onboard, attested to the sombre atmosphere that enveloped the ship in the wake of the tragedy. Despite the uncertainty that lingered, she commended Royal Caribbean for their transparency and compassionate response to the situation.</p> <p><em>More to come.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Royal Caribbean</em></p>

Cruising

Placeholder Content Image

Inside the frantic rescue mission to save woman who went overboard

<p dir="ltr">A woman has been saved from waters near the Dominican Republic after going overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 42-year-old American citizen was rescued by the US Coast Guard, after she fell from the 10th deck of the ship. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Mariner of the Seas cruise ship was about 50 km south of Punta Cana on its way to Willemstad, Curaçao, when the passenger went overboard, a statement from the Coast Guard said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The passenger was recovered alive and reported to be in good health, after reportedly falling into the water from the 10th deck of the ship,” it said. “No medical evacuation of the passenger was requested by the cruise ship.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The passenger was being kept on the cruise ship’s medical facility and later transferred to the Hospital in Willemstad, Curacao for evaluation.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Coast Guard said it was investigating the incident, looking into how and why the woman went overboard. </p> <p dir="ltr">Matthew Kuhn, who was on the cruise ship with his family, told a Florida news station that he watched rescue efforts from his balcony.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think it was amazing to see everyone was on their balcony. Everyone was trying to help, and the crew was very receptive to everyone,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement released on Wednesday, Royal Caribbean confirmed a passenger went overboard but was rescued as was being cared for onboard. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The ship and crew immediately reported the incident to local authorities and began searching for the guest. Thankfully, the guest was successfully recovered and was brought on board. Our Care team is now offering assistance and support to them and their travelling party. Out of privacy for the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share,” the statement said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Family of man lost overboard reveal his life’s “​​devastating turn”

<p dir="ltr">The family of Warwick Tollemache, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/missing-cruise-ship-passenger-identified">the Australian man who fell overboard</a> from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Quantum of the Seas, have made devastating claims against the Queensland health system. </p> <p dir="ltr">Warwick was 35-years-old when he was lost at sea off of the Hawaiian coast, and his loved ones have now revealed that he was struggling for years prior, after his life “took a devastating turn” with “severe, chronic, and debilitating migraines”.</p> <p dir="ltr">His heartbroken family members informed <em>Daily Mail Australia</em> that he was a “playful, cheeky, good-humoured, and extremely kind-hearted person”, who was never without a “radiant smile”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“He had an incredible gift for spreading kindness, love, and compassion wherever he went,” they said. “He touched the lives of countless people with his generosity and deep empathy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They went on to note how academically brilliant Warwick was, having earned two university degrees - one in business and one in Exercise Science. He’d had dreams of becoming a physiotherapist or a doctor, and was studying towards that very goal when “his life took a devastating turn, [with Warwick] developing severe, chronic, and debilitating migraines that affected him daily.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Warwick sought help from both public and private healthcare systems but was repeatedly turned away and refused treatment or dignity,” they explained. “This lack of care led to self-medication with alcohol at times and eventually to mental illness.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They noted that Warwick had been forced to wait over 12 hours for help on multiple occasions, “only to never be seen by a doctor.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And on the rare instances where he was seen by a medical professional, “he was turned away” despite the pleas of both Warwick and his family. </p> <p dir="ltr">As his loved ones put it, “Warwick, who found joy and purpose in helping others, was treated with a complete lack of humanity, respect, care, and compassion. This culture of neglect and disregard for patients' dignity within Metro South Health is dehumanising, and it is shameful that Warwick was a victim of such systemic failure.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to them, Warwick maintained a positive, strong, and brave persona throughout his entire recovery process, all despite the many challenges placed in front of him, and was “always making himself available to anyone in need.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They added that they had done everything they could to support him, pouring their time and efforts into “providing an inpatient level of care at home, which should have been provided by the public and private hospitals that failed him.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They concluded their statement by stating that they were seeking answers from the medical establishments that they claimed had let Warwick down.</p> <p dir="ltr">And in a statement from a Metro South Health spokesperson, they were offering their condolences to the family, but that “mental health conditions are complex and crises can stem from a number of triggers”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Chilling final moments of man who fell from Spirit of Tasmania

<p>Harrowing new details have emerged following <a href="http://www.apple.com/au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the death of a man</a> who fell overboard while travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania.</p> <p>The ferry company, which transports passengers between mainland Australia and Tasmania, was forced to turn one of its ships around after an alarm was sounded for a missing passenger.</p> <p>The vessel was headed toward Tasmania following its departure from Geelong when the incident occurred.</p> <p>The body of a 46-year-old man, from Cheltenham, southeast Melbourne, was later found off the coast of Geelong – almost two hours after he had boarded at Geelong dock.</p> <p>Witnesses reported the man spent his final moments standing on the top deck of the ship “looking on edge and agitated”.</p> <p>Speaking to the <em>Daily Mail Australia</em>, a man who wished to remain anonymous said, “My dad said he was looking a bit on edge or agitated … and changing seats constantly,”</p> <p>He added that passengers who saw the victim’s final moments were in varying states of “shock and disbelief”.</p> <p>There was confusion on board as some people believed the man was in a stable condition with an ambulance waiting at the dock.</p> <p>However, a spokesperson from the Spirit of Tasmania told the outlet that those reports were false and that there could not have been any confusion as there was a ship-wide announcement informing travellers that the passenger had died.</p> <p>The ship did not resume its journey to Devonport, instead, it returned to Geelong.</p> <p>“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.</p> <p>A report will be prepared for the coroner.</p> <p>The incident comes just days after Brisbane man Warwick Tollemache, 35, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/missing-cruise-ship-passenger-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">went overboard</a> on a Royal Caribbean ship bound for Hawaii.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Man dies after falling from Spirit of Tasmania ferry

<p>Australia's cruise industry has been struck with another tragedy, as a man has died after falling overboard while travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania. </p> <p>The ferry, which regularly carried passengers from mainland Australia to the small southern state, was forced to turn around on Sunday evening after an alarm sounded, signalling a passenger was missing. </p> <p>The vessel was on its way to Tasmania following its departure from its Geelong dock when the incident occurred.</p> <p>According to reports from the <em><a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald Sun</a></em>, multiple search crews, including air wing and water units, were deployed to search the water between Portarlington and St Leonards beaches off the Bellarine Peninsula just after 8pm. </p> <p>Not an hour later, the body of a man was recovered from the water, with the coroner now preparing their report. </p> <p>“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said. </p> <p>A spokesperson for the Spirit of Tasmania confirmed the vessel returned to Geelong by 10.50pm, but was unable to comment further until the coroner's report is released. </p> <p>The tragedy comes just days after another Australian man fell overboard while on a Royal Caribbean ship bound for Hawaii.</p> <p>The Brisbane man, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/missing-cruise-ship-passenger-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">identified</a> as 35-year-old Warwick Tollemache, was travelling with his mother on the Quantum of the Seas when he fell into the water last Wednesday night, 1400km south of the island’s coast.</p> <p>Search and rescue efforts were called off on Friday, leaving the man’s family devastated. </p> <p>Warwick's family shared a statement on social media, saying, “Our family is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Warwick.”</p> <p>“He was a kind, beautiful, and gentle soul who was adored by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Missing cruise ship passenger identified

<p>The Australian man who went overboard on a cruise ship has been identified as a 35-year-old man from Brisbane, as the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/frantic-search-for-australian-man-who-went-overboard-on-cruise-ship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">frantic search</a> for his body was called off.</p> <p>Warwick Tollemache went overboard on the Quantum of The Seas early Wednesday evening (AEST), about 1400 kilometres south of the Hawaiian islands, prompting an immediate search by the vessel's crew, with the US Coast Guard was called in to assist.</p> <p>The search for Tollemache was called off in the early hours of Friday morning, as his family shared a heart-breaking statement about his death. </p> <p>"Our family is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Warwick," his family said.</p> <p>"He was a kind, beautiful, and gentle soul who was adored by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed."</p> <p>"We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding."</p> <p>Upon hearing of Tollemache going overboard, the US Coast Guard issued a widespread radio message to alert ships in the area to a distress situation, calling for all vessels in the Pacific Ocean, south of Hawaii, to help look for the man.</p> <p>Coast Guards were searching the site with a C-130 Hercules for the missing man to no avail so far.</p> <p>"They were able to cast out a few life rings," US Coast Guard Ryan Fisher said.</p> <p>"Just so if he was in the vicinity in the water he could be able to grab onto them."</p> <p>After six hours of searching, the aircraft was forced to return to Hawaii to refuel, as the US Navy was also called in to help look. </p> <p>Passenger Susan Whittington noted there was "quite a large swell" overnight making it "almost impossible" for the search.</p> <p>The Quantum of The Seas has since arrived at Kona on Hawaii's Big Island, where passengers disembarked for some time ashore.</p> <p>"Couldn't really fathom what happened," Jayden, from South Australia, told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/cruise-ship-quantum-of-the-seas-australian-man-falls-overboard-bound-for-hawaii/73699cd3-571e-4110-847c-24f248da8e9d" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>9News</em></a>.</p> <p>"The ship handled it pretty well. We got sent back to our stay rooms and then they let us go back to our normal business."</p> <p>Passengers recalled being woken by the PA system calling "oscar, oscar, oscar", the ship's code for man overboard.</p> <p>Those onboard were shocked by the ordeal, recounting a "sombre" mood on board the ship as it continues to its destination.</p> <p>"It's a shocking situation to be in," Whittington said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Frantic search for Australian man who went overboard on cruise ship

<p>An Australian man who went overboard on a cruise ship 1,400km south of the Hawaiian coast is thought to be the partner of a passenger who died during a medical emergency while on board.</p> <p>The Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas ship was just two days away from reaching its port in Hawaii when disaster struck on April 26, 15 days after the vessel had departed from Brisbane.</p> <p>The ship has since resumed its course while rescue crews have deployed a Hercules aircraft witted with a GPS system and cameras to help find the man.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>news.com.au</em>, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, “While on its trans-pacific sailing, a guest onboard Quantum of the Seas went overboard,”</p> <p>“The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue operation and is working closely with local authorities.”</p> <p>The cruise line’s captain immediately halted the ship’s course following the tragedy, with staff launching a search and rescue operation.</p> <p>One man who was on the ship with family told <em>2GB</em> radio host Ben Fordham that the man who went overboard is allegedly the partner of a passenger who died on the ship after a medical emergency.</p> <p>“There was a show during the night, and the music stopped before it was announced there was a medical emergency, and apparently the person passed away’,” the man told Fordham.</p> <p>“About 90 minutes later, the call went out that someone went overboard, and it turned out to be the partner of the person who passed away earlier.’”</p> <p>Fordham also read another passenger’s email from onboard the ship.</p> <p>“Some saying cameras on deck saw [a man] go over. Others saying crew has confirmed the passenger did go over last night and there was only so much they could do’,” Fordham said, reading out the man’s email.</p> <p>Adam Glezer from Melbourne, who is currently onboard with his wife and four-year-old child told <em>news.com.au</em> an announcement of ‘Oscar’, a code for man overboard, was heard from the intercom at around 7pm Sydney time.</p> <p>“They didn’t make a big deal about it. It was mainly for staff and crew but an hour later things got more serious,” Mr Glezer said.</p> <p>“They started doing announcements over the loudspeaker saying ‘potential man overboard’ and that everyone had to go back to their room.”</p> <p>Mr Glezer added that passengers had to remain in their rooms for about 90 minutes before they were able to leave.</p> <p>“They didn’t make a big deal about it. It was mainly for staff and crew but an hour later things got more serious,” he said.</p> <p>“They started doing announcements over the loudspeaker saying ‘potential man overboard’ and that everyone had to go back to their room.”</p> <p>Mr Glezer described the incident as a “surreal” feeling as the entire ship fell silent, with music turned off and everyone confined to their rooms.</p> <p>“I called Mum to let her know we are OK. After that they reopened the bars – I went down. It was just packed with people wanting to know what happened.</p> <p>“I have spoken to workers who have been working on ships for years and they said they have never seen anything like this happen before.”</p> <p>It is not believed there were any suspicious circumstances.</p> <p>Other ships in the area have been advised to keep a lookout for the overboard passenger following an amber alert. A request has been made for the US Navy to get involved in an attempt to further search efforts.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Today</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Aussie woman opens up about cruise ship horror: “My partner tried to push me overboard”

<p>A woman, who was lucky to survive a five-day cruise, has bravely discussed the terrifying moment her partner attempted to throw her off their balcony.</p> <p>Kim and her partner David James Fysh, 46, saved up to cruise from Sydney to Tasmania on Radiance of the Seas for almost a year before they embarked on their holiday.</p> <p>However, less than 48 hours after departing on October 16, their getaway quickly turned into a nightmare, reported <em style="font-weight: inherit;">A Current Affair.</em></p> <p>Kim claimed David was uninterested in the cruise they had worked so hard to experience, focusing his time on drinking and sleeping instead.</p> <p>She also alleged that her fiancé packed Valium for the cruise.</p> <p>After growing frustrated by his disinterest, Kim confronted him before the pair got into an argument about him wasting the holiday.</p> <p>Kim then said the argument took a violent turn.</p> <p>“He locked me outside on the balcony and pulled the room out looking for them (Valium) and then when he couldn't find them, he came outside on to the balcony,” she said.</p> <p>“Had me by the back of my arms and was trying to push me overboard and I was just screaming.”</p> <p>When asked if she thought she was going to die during the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">ACA </em>interview, Kim replied with an emotional: “Yep.”</p> <p>“I was screaming, 'Please don't kill me, please don't kill me, please don't throw me overboard.’”</p> <p>Remembering the terrifying ideal, Kim said her partner didn’t say much as he allegedly held her over the balcony.</p> <p>She explained that she managed to free herself because she was wearing a silky robe and “slipped out of his grip like a ninja”.</p> <p>After escaping from her attacker, she locked him on the balcony and called cruise staff immediately.</p> <p>David was arrested and charged with attempted murder after the cruise docked in Hobart.</p> <p>Police allege that David tried to throw Kim from the cruise balcony by grabbing her under the arms at 3:30am.</p> <p>Kim claimed that passengers in nearby rooms heard her piercing screams.</p> <p>In the emotional interview, Kim said her relationship with David had been volatile and she felt guilty she let the abuse get as far as it did.</p> <p>David pleaded not guilty at Hobart Magistrates Court on October 19 and bail was not granted.</p> <p>In February, the case will appear before the Supreme Court.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Cruise ship passenger charged after trying to throw partner overboard

<p>A Queensland woman whose partner allegedly attempted to throw her off a cruise ship had taken to social media to share how excited she was to be able to take time off with her “beautiful man” and go on a luxury trip.</p> <p>But things did not go according to plan, after her partner was arrested as soon as the ship docked in Hobart.</p> <p>The civil construction worker from Wamuran near Caboolture is currently in custody and has been charged with attempted murder after it was discovered that he tried to throw his partner off the ship following an argument on Thursday.</p> <p>Authorities were called to cruise liner <em>Radiance of the Seas</em> following the incident.</p> <p>It is alleged that the woman's partner grabbed her under her arms before attempting to throw her off the 13-storey ship. The events that followed were chaotic as passengers claim they heard an alarm and screaming early on Thursday morning.</p> <p>Some approached the woman to see if she was okay.</p> <p>Appearing at the Hobart Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, the 46-year-old father-of-three pleaded not guilty but was refused bail and will be expected to appear at the Supreme Court in February.</p> <p>Having departed Sydney on October 16, the cruise was expected to dock in Tasmania and then return to Sydney after five days.</p> <p>Only last month, the woman took to her social media account to share her excitement about the holiday.</p> <p>“Tassie here we come!” she wrote. “Radiance of the Seas owner’s suite … holiday we so deserve. My beautiful man has rented a Mercedes for the day to take me to Table Cape Tulip Farm and eat as many oysters as I can smash.”</p> <p>She also went on to write: “So excited for our holiday … we are going to have our own butler, concierge and VIP gold passes for everything. The beginning of many journeys.”</p> <p>A spokeswoman from the Royal Caribbean issued a statement and said that authorities have the company's full support.</p> <p>“Our security staff responded to the incident, and Tasmania Police were notified and attended the ship on arrival in Hobart,” she said.</p> <p>“The safety and security of our guests and crew is our highest priority.”</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

TV star vanishes from cruise ship

<p>A massive search is underway for a German TV star and singer who has gone missing while on a cruise to Canada.</p> <p>The cruise operator, Aida Cruises, said there was reason to believe Daniel Kueblboeck may have jumped into the sea on Sunday morning.</p> <p>“That is our suspicion,” spokesman Hansjoerg Kunze said.</p> <p>Kueblboeck first entered stardom after appearing on Germany’s version of <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Pop Idol</em> in 2003.</p> <p>However, the star’s disappearance follows a recent post the 33-year-old wrote about being bullied.</p> <p>Kueblboeck revealed on his official fan club page that he had suffered “months of bullying” as a child at school, that shook him “deeply”.</p> <p>“Dear fans. Unfortunately, I still do not feel better mentally and physically,” he wrote.</p> <p>“I have yet to cope with this pain of the past months.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgiiwEmjKKS/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgiiwEmjKKS/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Daniel Kaiser-Küblböck (@daniel_kaiserkueblboeck)</a> on Mar 20, 2018 at 2:18am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Kueblboeck, who auditioned but was not selected as Germany’s Eurovision entry in 2014, was travelling to Newfoundland, Canada, with 2200 passengers.</p> <p>When Kueblboeck was found to be missing, Aida said the ship was stopped and returned to the spot off the coast of Newfoundland where it is believed he went overboard.</p> <p>The incident occurred 185km north of the city of St John’s, Newfoundland.</p> <p>The Canadian coastguard confirmed on Sunday that it was using a surveillance plane and helicopter to search the Labrador Sea for Kueblboeck.</p> <p>Two other cruise ships also reportedly assisted with the search.</p> <p>Kueblboeck, who was born in Bavaria, made his last major TV appearance in the eighth season of <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Let’s Dance</em> in 2015 and was studying to be an actor at the European Theatre Institute Berlin.</p> <p>Kueblboeck's cruise ship disappearance comes months after an Australian woman died after she fell from an upper-level deck of the Pacific Dawn into the ocean off the coast of New Caledonia.</p> <p>Last month, a British cruise passenger was rescued after surviving 10 hours floating in the Adriatic Sea off Croatia.</p> <p>The 46-year-old claimed that she fell over the balcony, but passengers have since claimed that she jumped after a <strong><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/bizarre-twist-in-case-of-woman-who-was-lost-at-sea-for-10-hours/"><u>drunken argument</u></a></strong> with her boyfriend.  </p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Bizarre twist in case of woman who was lost at sea for 10 hours

<p>Earlier this week, a British woman, who allegedly jumped off a cruise ship after a drunken argument with her boyfriend, captured the attention of the world after she survived while <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/10-hours-lost-at-sea-woman-lucky-to-be-alive-after-falling-from-cruise-ship"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>lost at sea</strong> </span></a>for 10 hours.</p> <p>Now, in a bizarre twist, cruise passenger Kay Longstaff has found support in her boyfriend’s ex-wife, following the incident that saw her floating in the Adriatic Sea off Croatia after plunging from the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Norwegian Sta</em>r.</p> <p>Ms Longstaff claims she “fell” from the ship's seventh deck, but fellow passengers have insisted that she jumped after having a drunken argument with her boyfriend, Craig Rayment.</p> <p>She didn’t fall off, she jumped off. She took all her kit off and jumped off the side of the ship,” a passenger told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-style: inherit;"><em>The Sun</em></strong></span></a>.</p> <p>“This is what the crew told us when we were on the ship before disembarking. You can kind of tell by the pictures that she wasn’t wearing much when she was rescued.”</p> <p>CCTV footage from the cruise shows Ms Longstaff by herself just before she went overboard.</p> <p>Speaking out about the alleged disagreement, Mr Rayment’s ex-wife Kelly told <a href="http://themirror.co.uk/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-style: inherit;"><em>The Mirror</em></strong></span></a>: “If I was on a ship with him I would get off any way I could.”</p> <p>Kelly said she had been married to the 43-year-old electrician for a year but split after consistent arguing.</p> <p>Kelly revealed that the pair were currently in the process of getting a divorce.</p> <p>“Craig’s not a very nice person after he’s been drinking,” Kelly said.</p> <p>“So, him going on a cruise is a recipe for disaster. I can imagine what she went through.</p> <p>“I’m proud of myself for building up the courage to leave him and saying no when he begged me to come back.”</p> <p>Kelly said she warned Ms Longstaff to be careful after she found out they started dating last year.</p> <p>According to fellow cruise passengers, Ms Longstaff and Mr Rayment had been “drinking and having rows all day” before the incident occurred.</p> <p>“When the police came on to the ship — before letting us get off — they were going around asking after which staff members were serving us alcohol,” one witness told the <em>Daily Mail</em>.</p> <p>“I think they wanted to know who had been serving her. Her (partner) was looking for her for hours before the alarm was raised that she’d gone overboard.”</p> <p>A second person claimed Ms Longstaff and her partner “were arguing”, saying: “This is what (the) concierge told us willingly.”</p> <p>A third passenger said he and his wife had been given the cabin above the couple at the rear of the ship.</p> <p>“When the incident was reported by the Captain, he said that an area in the middle of deck seven had been sealed off,” the man said.</p> <p>“When getting off the boat, seven hours late, a number of passengers were saying there had been a midnight dispute among the Longstaff party.”</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Cruise ship worker rescued 22 hours after falling overboard

<p>A cruise ship worked who fell overboard has been miraculously rescued by another passing cruise ship.</p> <p>The 33-year-old man, who was working for Norwegian Cruise Line, is in a stable condition after reportedly treading water for 22 hours to stay alive.</p> <p>According to the US Coast Guard, the worker went overboard at around 3.20 pm local time on Saturday, 45 kilometres north west of Pinar del Rio, Cuba.</p> <p>The man fell off the <em>Norwegian Getaway</em> and was rescued by Carnival Cruise Line’s <em>Carnival Glory</em>.</p> <p>“It was nothing short of miraculous,” president of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, said in a statement.</p> <p>The search for the man was suspended on Saturday evening, but a cabin steward from the <em>Carnival Glory</em> spotted him in the water at around 1.20 pm on Sunday.</p> <p>Carnival spokeswoman AnnMarie Matthews said the man did not have any safety device on when he was rescued and they “can only surmise that he was likely treading water the entire time”.</p> <p>“Kudos to the <em>Carnival Glory</em> team for this amazing effort to rescue a fellow seafarer,” Ms Duffy said.</p> <p>Speaking to <a href="https://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/07/01/missing-cruise-employee-found/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>CBS Miami</em></strong></span></a>, US Coast Guard spokesman Jonathan Lally said: "The <em>Carnival Glory</em> had found someone in the water waving their arms and they rescued him and he was the missing <em>Norwegian Getaway</em> crew member and that was roughly about 21 miles north of Cuba.”</p> <p>Norwegian said in a statement that the line is “extremely thankful” to Carnival Cruise line.</p> <p>“We are so happy to know that the individual is safe and will soon be reunited with friends and family,” the Norwegian statement said.</p>

Cruising

Placeholder Content Image

Husband’s horror: Desperate search after wife falls overboard on cruise ship

<p>A desperate search is underway for a cruise ship passenger knocked overboard, after a freak wave struck the top deck of P&amp;O’s Pacific Dawn.</p> <p><a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/woman-overboard-from-pacific-dawn-liner/news-story/54a4109235d78dbaeeb2f2d98327ebd1" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> a crew member saw the woman, who had apparently gone outside to vomit as she was seasick, fall off the side of the ship about 4pm AEST yesterday afternoon.</p> <p>Her husband, who also saw the fall, immediately went into shock.  </p> <p>Life rings were thrown into the water, but to no avail.</p> <p>“A crew member notified the bridge straight away and the ‘man overboard’ incident response was activated immediately,” said David Jones, a spokesman for the ship’s owner P &amp; O.</p> <p>“In line with this response, Pacific Dawn turned around to follow the course it was on at the time of the incident.”</p> <p>The Australian Maritime Safety Bureau and New Caledonian authorities reportedly issued a call for help, but there were no rescue boats in the immediate vicinity.</p> <p>“It would take days for anyone to reach the area it’s so remote,” the spokeswoman said.</p> <p>As the ship trawled around the area, passenger Jon Trevithick posted a picture on Twitter of a lone rescue ring in the sea.</p> <p>“Horrendous here on ship,” he wrote.</p> <p>“Ship going round and round searching”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Horrendous here on ship. Man over board an hour ago. Ship going round and round searching. <a href="https://t.co/jpC0NGRomU">pic.twitter.com/jpC0NGRomU</a></p> — Jonathan Trevithick (@JonTrevithick) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonTrevithick/status/984332724658843648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>“We have been told very little,” he tweeted. “I didn’t know it was a woman. It happened around 5pm. I was on deck and heard someone cry, ‘man overboard’. The ship ground to a halt which took a while, of course. It turned around and found the (possibly 2nd) lifebuoy (pictured).</p> <p>“Not looking good. Nightfall now. Ship still searching.”</p> <p>Another passenger <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>told ABC Online</strong></em></span></a> news of the incident was relayed over the ship’s speakers.</p> <p>"It came over the speakers straight away that a person was overboard," the passenger said.</p> <p>"We are hearing lots of different stories from other passengers on the ship. We were all moved inside.</p> <p>"Nearly an hour ago they updated us over the speakers and said they were still searching and will continue to search.</p> <p>"No luck as of yet."</p> <p><strong>UPDATE: </strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/a/39830034/woman-falls-from-cruise-ship-in-pacific/" target="_blank">Yahoo 7 reports the captain</a></strong></em></span><em><strong> </strong></em> of the Pacific Dawn near New Caledonia has made a sad announcement that the woman who fell overboard hasn’t been found, and the ship will be heading back to Brisbane.</p> <p>"It is with a very heavy heart that I need to let you know that we have been unable to locate our guest," the captain of the Dawn Pacific told passengers on Friday morning.</p> <p>"We are still in the area of the incident, and the weather conditions with the swell three to four metres high, as you can see outside, the strong wind made our search extremely challenging.</p> <p>"As a result, we have now made the extremely difficult decision to continue our journey towards Brisbane.</p> <p>"I know I speak on behalf of all of you when I say our thoughts and prayers are with the family."</p> <p>Our thoughts are with the passenger and her family.</p>

Cruising

Placeholder Content Image

Overboard cruise passenger Fiordland cup or piece of clothing

<p>A major rescue mission was <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/2016/06/cruise-in-new-zealand-time-lapse-video/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>launched in Fiordland</strong></span></a> for an overboard passenger - that wasn't.</p> <p>All passengers and crew have been accounted for aboard the Queen Victoria cruise ship on Thursday.</p> <p>Maritime NZ media spokesman Vince Cholewa said the ship's master called Maritime NZ at about 1pm to say all passengers and crew had been accounted for.</p> <p>Earlier today, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/2016/06/10-lesser-known-new-zealand-holiday-spots/"><strong>ship had radioed Maritime NZ</strong></a></span> to say a passenger was overboard in Sutherland Sound and a rescue mission was launched.</p> <p>The ship's electronic monitoring system had been triggered after its thermal imaging showed something had entered the water, Cholewa said.</p> <p>However, no person had actually gone overboard.</p> <p>A review of the data suggested an item, such as a cup or a piece of clothing, had gone overboard, which triggered the alarm, he said.</p> <p>"The ship did all the right things and now they're able to carry on their cruise to Dunedin," he said.</p> <p>The two helicopters sent out have been stood down.</p> <p>The rescue mission was launched this morning after the ship's crew radioed Maritime NZ to say a passenger had fallen overboard in <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/2016/05/new-zealand-by-a-cruise-ship/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Sutherland Sound in Fiordlan</strong><strong>d</strong></span></a>, about three kilometres from Bell Point.</p> <p>The Queen Victoria co-ordinated its own search and a helicopter from Milford Helicopters was dispatched to aid the search as "an eye in the sky" to locate the passenger, but it was not equipped with rescue gear, Cholewa said.</p> <p>A second helicopter from Southern Lakes Helicopters in Te Anau was dispatched carrying rescue gear and paramedics, he said.</p> <p>A police media spokeswoman said police were aware of the situation but were not involved in the search, and it was in the hands of the Rescue Coordination Centre.</p> <p><em>Written by Briar Babington. First appeared on <a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></a>. </em></p>

Cruising

Placeholder Content Image

Remake of Overboard in the works

<p>The 80s comedy classic <em>Overboard </em>starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel is being remade.</p> <p>Anna Faris will star in this remake with Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez. </p> <p>This film will have a gender-reversal of character roles, meaning Faris will play Kurt Russell’s character.</p> <p>The film will follow a spoiled Mexican playboy who is from an extremely wealthy family.</p> <p>Eugenio’s character will fall off a yacht and then get amnesia and Faris’ character will be a single mum who convinces the playboy that they are married.</p> <p>MGM boss Jonathan Glickman said, “The original <em>Overboard</em> was beloved and the only way to bring it back is to reinvent the story in a whole new way. Anna and Eugenio are two of the most charismatic forces in comedy whose take on the material will modernize the story for a whole new generation of moviegoers."</p> <p>The movie will start filming in May in Vancouver.</p> <p>Katherine Heigl, Jenifer Lopez and Kate Hudson, daughter of Goldie Hawn, were all once previously attached to the film.</p> <p>This film follows over movies from the 80s being remade such as <em>Ghostbusters</em> and the upcoming <em>Splash</em> with Jillian Bell and Chinning Tatum.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2017/03/first-look-at-emily-blunt-as-mary-poppins/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>First look at Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2017/02/16-oscar-winning-costumes/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>16 Oscar winning costumes</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2017/02/co-stars-whose-romance-continued-off-screen/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Co-stars whose movie romance continued off-screen</strong></em></span></a></p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Frantic search for overboard cruise passenger

<p>The US coast guard is currently engaging in a frantic search of waters in and around the Bahamas, where a cruise ship passenger went overboard this week. </p> <p>According to a statement from Carnival Cruise Lines, Rina Patel, a 32-year-old woman of Interlaken, New York, was on the 11th deck of the Carnival Ecstasy as the ship passed near the island of Grand Bahama, before she reportedly jumped overboard.</p> <p>Emergency procedures were initiated immediately and US coast guard aircraft and ships are now searching an area about 43 kilometres southwest of Grand Bahama.</p> <p>While initial reports have many fearing the worse, a recent story of a tourist who survived 32 hours at sea after <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/woman-survives-38-hours-at-sea-after-falling-off-cruise/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>falling from a Royal Caribbean ship</strong></span></a> cruising from China to Japan have some parties optimistic that a positive outcome can still be reached. </p> <p>In the Carnival Cruise Line statement, the cruise line said, “The company’s CareTeam is providing assistance and support to the missing guest’s family on board and our thoughts and prayers are with her and family and loved ones during this difficult time.”</p> <p>Our thoughts are with Rina’s family. We’ll update as more details come to light, but here’s hoping for a positive outcome. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook / WFSB - Channel 3 Eyewitness News</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/06/man-kicked-off-p-and-o-cruise-after-flicking-cigarette-butt/"><strong>Man kicked off cruise after flicking cigarette butt off the side</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/woman-survives-38-hours-at-sea-after-falling-off-cruise/"><strong>Woman survives 38 hours at sea after falling off cruise</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/09/anthem-of-the-seas-rocked-by-massive-storm/"><strong>Anthem of the Seas rocked by another massive storm</strong></a></em></span></p>

Cruising

Our Partners