On March 22, 2025, on a beautiful day, a jet skiing incident off the island of Bonaire turned into a mishap. The looker-on was a Holland America Line ship, an unfortunate backdrop into which lay the death of a guest who had been jet skiing in the Dutch Caribbean.
Official reports released so far maintained that the cruise guest, whose name has not been put out publicly, was riding on a jet ski when the said jet ski hit rocks on the waters of Bonaire. Rescue efforts are said to have been made; however, the cruise guest succumbed to injuries from the crash.
According to reports, the guest was a passenger of the Nieuw Amsterdam, a Holland America cruise in Bonaire in connection with its Caribbean program. The jet ski ride was apparently not an excursion from the cruise line but an independently organized event.
Police and emergency services within Banana acted promptly with their arrival. However, due to the grievous nature of the injuries inflicted on the guest, the situation permitted scant medical intervention. There will be a full internal investigation into the conditions of the accident with officials aiming to find out whether the cause of the accident was speed, equipment malfunctioning, or weather conditions.
In its recent pronouncement, Holland America Line extended its condolence message and sympathies to the relatives of the deceased. “We find ourselves extremely saddened due to this tragic incident. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of the deceased at this trying time. We are, and shall remain, of full cooperation with local authorities in their investigation,” said the cruise line.
The accident has since raised serious safety questions regarding independent excursions and how safety-conscious travelers should be when participating in watersports during cruise stops. More safety protocols and vetted operators are usually found in cruise-sponsored excursions, but guests often choose those that are independently organized because they can be more flexible and cost-efficient.
Although jet-ski accidents may be considered rare, cruise- and travel-industry experts note that when they do happen, they commonly involve high-speed incidents regarding unfamiliar terrain and environmental hazards, such as reefs and rocks. Tourists are urged to wear life vests at all times and heed local safety regulations while avoiding areas that are unknown or prohibited.
The jet ski mishap adds to a string of unfortunate accidents that cruise passengers have met while on excursion tours. Cruise lines have been working in recent times to improve the levels of safety for passengers through better communication and guidelines to seek reputable operators for independent tours.
Nieuw Amsterdam left the incident and continued on a once-in-a-lifetime trip across the Caribbean after leaving Aruba. The tragedy was announced to passengers still on board, and grief counselors were prepared for those in distress.
While the investigation in Bonaire continues, the cruise community mourns a fellow traveling companion and is once again reminded to remain vigilant and safe during the course of their journeys.
