Miami, Florida – A tragedy struck during The 80s Cruise when a woman went overboard from the Royal Caribbean ship Explorer of the Seas. The incident occurred on the first day of the nostalgia cruise, which features musical acts like Squeeze, Adam Ant, Tiffany, and Men at Work.
The woman has been identified as Kimberly Burch, the fiancée of Faster Pussycat singer Taime Downe. Burch fell off the ship after an argument with Downe, according to her mother, Carnell Burch. It remains unclear if she accidentally fell or intentionally jumped, as her mother believes she would not have hurt herself on purpose.
A search operation involving multiple ships was conducted after Burch went overboard around 11 p.m. on Sunday, as confirmed by sources aboard Explorer of the Seas. The cruise continued its journey as planned, with the U.S. Coast Guard taking over the search operations.
The family of Kimberly Burch posted on Facebook, expressing their grief and asking for prayers as they cope with the heartbreaking tragedy. The privacy of the family is being respected, as Royal Caribbean has not shared any additional details surrounding the incident.
Passengers aboard the ship shared their accounts of the incident, with one individual mentioning that safety boats were deployed with floodlights to search for the missing woman. The ship eventually resumed its journey, arriving at Nassau, Bahamas a few hours behind schedule.
The 80s Cruise offers fans a nostalgic experience celebrating the music and culture of the 1980s. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, renowned artists like Christopher Cross, Sheila E., Warrant, and more are scheduled to perform in future editions of the cruise.
This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can occur even in the midst of celebratory events like The 80s Cruise. The impact of Kimberly Burch’s loss resonates with all those who knew and loved her, highlighting the importance of safety and vigilance while at sea.