Key Aspects:
- Sun Princess is continuing to cooperate with Turkish authorities following an overboard incident late Wednesday night.
- The ship is extending her visit to Istanbul, but the port stop in Mykonos has unfortunately been cancelled.
- Sun Princess will be able to return to Athens as scheduled for debarkation on Saturday, August 23, as planned.
Following the overboard incident that began in the late night hours of Wednesday, August 20, Sun Princess has altered her current itinerary to continue coordinating with local authorities.
Guests onboard have been updated about the situation, including what resources are available to them and how the end of their 7-night sailing will be impacted.
First, the cruise line confirmed that the overboard individual was a crew member. To protect their privacy, the individual’s name and position aboard the Sphere-class ship have not been disclosed.
As soon as the overboard alert was issued on Wednesday night, the ship initiated search operations with local maritime authorities for several hours, which unfortunately have not been successful.
“Despite these extensive efforts, the crew member has not been located,” the cruise line confirmed. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of our team members during this difficult time.”
The Princess Family Assistance team is providing support to the crew member’s family and specially trained counselors are now onboard Sun Princess for crew members. Guests are also invited to speak with the counselors if they have a need to do so.
Because the incident is ongoing, Sun Princess has had to change her itinerary.
“Due to this extraordinary circumstance, we were directed to proceed to an anchorage position off Tekrdag to continue coordination with local authorities and support the operation,” the cruise line explained.
“We unfortunately will cancel our call to Mykonos on Friday, August 22, and extend our call to Istanbul.”
The ship was originally scheduled to be in Istanbul from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 21. Instead, Sun Princess docked at approximately 2 p.m. and guests will need to be back aboard the ship no later than 11:30 p.m.
Mykonos was to have been the last port visit, scheduled for 12-9 p.m. on Friday, August 22. Due to the extended time in Istanbul, however, Sun Princess will be unable to make that port as planned.
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All pre-booked Princess Cruises tours for Mykonos are being automatically cancelled and refunded to guests’ shipboard accounts.
In Istanbul, select half-day tours are still able to continue, but with updated meeting times. All other tours have been cancelled and refunded.
The ship’s return to Athens for debarkation on Saturday, August 23 is not expected to be impacted.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts continue to be with the guests and crew members aboard Sun Princess at this difficult time.
Sailing Aboard Sun Princess
The 175,000-gross-ton ship is the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet, able to welcome 4,300 guests aboard for each sailing. Also onboard are approximately 1,600 international crew members.
Sun Princess is also the newest Princess Cruises ship, at least until her sister ship, Star Princess, debuts in October 2025.
This is the first reported overboard incident from the vessel. Very few details have been confirmed at this time as the investigation is ongoing. Sun Princess is undoubtedly cooperating with local authorities in every way.
Following the ship’s return to Athens, she will continue to offer Mediterranean itineraries from Rome, Athens, and Barcelona as departure points.
On November 1, the ship will set sail on a 15-night transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, her winter homeport for both Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.
In March 2026, Sun Princess will return to the Mediterranean for another extensive season, visiting iconic European destinations in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and more.
