Viral video shows LGBTQ+ cruise heroically rescuing 11 migrants lost at sea
by Curated March 2, 2025 · Gay News / Gay Pride / Gay Rights / LGBTQ Nation
Author: John Russell
A Royal Caribbean ship hosting a gay cruise rescued 11 refugees who were adrift in the Gulf of Mexico this week.
“They are being well taken care of,” Brown said. “As they were coming towards the boat, I waved to them, and they all waved back to me. So, they’re obviously in good spirits as well.”
“They were exceedingly happy to be rescued, especially knowing their boat was taking on water,” Roper told the Advocate. “They had no food, no water for a couple of days. We’ve got them here on board, safe and sound. They’re being fed, getting lots and lots of water to rehydrate.”
Roper said the cruise’s LGBTQ+ guests were eager to help, providing dry clothing and donating funds to help the migrants.
“Our guests are so generous,” he said. “I imagine we’ll raise a substantial amount of money for them through VACAYA’s ReachOUT philanthropic program whose mission is to allow our guests to give back while on vacation.”
The Coast Guard representative reportedly said that the migrants would disembark in Cozumel, Mexico, the Brilliance of the Seas’ next port of call.
Roper said that in his 22 years in the travel industry, he had never before witnessed a rescue like the one that took place Wednesday.
“To have this happen is a really emotional day,” he said. “As privileged as we are to travel on this luxury cruise liner, to know that people have to escape their lives in this way — it’s humbling. It’s very, very emotional.”
He also compared the plight of immigrants to that of the LGBTQ+ community under the Trump administration.
“Two of the most reviled groups in America right now are the LGBTQ+ community and refugees,” Roper told the Advocate. “The fact that we were the ones lucky enough to help them — it just feels really, really good.”
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Author: John Russell
