The US coast guard has suspended a search for a British dancer who fell overboard from Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas in the early hours of Christmas Day.
The coast guard halted the search after two days.
Arron Hough, 20, reportedly entered the sea around 267 miles off the coast of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
The cruise line has confirmed that Hough, who was part of the ship’s entertainment team, failed to report to work as scheduled on Christmas Day.
Three aircraft and a ship covered more than 3,700 sq miles looking for Hough before the search was called off, the coast guard said.
Commander Christopher Douglas told the BBC: “We’ve been in contact with members of Mr Hough’s family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them.
“Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly.”
A Royal Caribbean International spokeswoman said: “We are saddened to report that after a review of the ship’s closed-circuit camera footage, he was observed entering an area on Deck 5 at around 4am and was not seen again.
“Local authorities were notified and a ship-wide search for the crew member was conducted.
“Our care team is providing support to the family and friends of our colleague, and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.”
Harmony of the Seas is sailing on a seven-night itinerary that departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 23, with port calls to Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Labadee, Haiti.
The ship is operating from Port Everglades in Florida.