Woman Dies After Falling From Balcony Aboard Carnival Firenze Near Catalina Island

A woman from the Carnival Firenze cruise ship has reportedly died after falling from her balcony. The tragic incident occurred on Monday morning, April 27.

According to the local news outlet NBC Los Angeles, the passenger went over her balcony and fell to a lower deck. The woman’s family then alerted the crew. It is not known why or how the woman went over the railings, and her identity has not been released at this time.

“All appropriate authorities have been alerted,” according to a spokesperson from the cruise line, and “Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family.” Carnival has also said, “As is customary, law enforcement will board the ship today on Catalina Island to conduct the required investigation.”

The Carnival Firenze was near Catalina Island, which is approximately 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles. The cruise destination is often visited by cruise ships, including those by Carnival Cruise Line. The island is also a tender port, where passengers use tender boats to head to shore.

Carnival Firenze had departed its homeport of Long Beach in LA on Sunday, April 26, and called at Catalina Island the following day, April 27. The ship was originally scheduled to depart at 5:30 PM.

At this time, Carnival Firenze has already departed the island and is heading south towards its next scheduled port of call, Ensenada in Mexico, on April 28. The ship is set to return to LA on April 30.

The 4,126-passenger Carnival cruise ship is currently deployed out of the Long Beach Cruise Terminal and sails a range of 3-4-night Baja Mexico itineraries. The 135,156 gross ton ship joined the Carnival fleet in 2024 after being transferred from sister brand Costa Cruises.

This news comes just days after a crew member went overboard from the Norwegian Breakaway on April 25, just off Cape Cod on the US East Coast. A large search operation was launched, but as Cruise Hive reported, it was later suspended on April 26.