Key Aspects:
- An elderly German cruise guest was swept off rocks and killed during a tour in Vigo, Spain.
- Warnings had been issued for rough seas and strong winds in the region that day.
- Multiple rescue agencies were alerted right away, but the woman was found already deceased.
A German cruise tourist tragically lost her life during a port visit to Vigo, Spain on Thursday, December 18, 2025 due to high winds that caused crashing waves and swept her out to sea.
According to Infobae, the 85-year-old woman was cruising aboard AIDAmar and had joined approximately 50 other guests on a bus tour to Baiona, a 30-minute drive away. It is not clear whether the tour was arranged through AIDA Cruises or may have been independently operated.
During the tour, the woman moved away from the group and ventured out onto rocks to take photographs of the crashing waves, which can be quite spectacular in the area.
Jaime SLeyenda)
In fact, on that afternoon, Weather Underground notes that steady winds in the region were approximately 18-22 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 35-36 miles per hour. Local weather services had issued an orange alert that day for coastal regions due to winds and swells.
The incident occurred at roughly 2:30 p.m. at Concheira Beach, well known for its scenic views and clean waters, as well as nearby cafes and parks in Baiona.
A neighbor who saw the woman on the rocks reportedly noted that she dropped something, bent down to pick it up, then was swept away. That unidentified neighbor immediately alerted lifeguards.
Maritime rescue resources were activated, including a boat and a helicopter, as well as the local police, the Spanish Civil Guard, and an underwater rescue team. A local boat from a sailing club also joined in the search efforts.
It wasn’t long before the woman’s body was found by another individual, who also contacted emergency services. Despite the fast response, the woman was already deceased.
The woman’s name and whether she was traveling solo or cruising with companions has not been released. This is standard procedure in such a tragic situation in order to protect the individual’s privacy and that of family members and loved ones.
AIDA Cruises has not released a statement about the incident, but undoubtedly the cruise line is offering support to other guests or relatives as well as crew members impacted by the loss.
Read Also: Can a Rogue Wave Sink a Cruise Ship?
AIDAmar was near the end of a 43-night itinerary that had departed Hamburg on November 9, with visits to ports in Europe, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and the Canary Islands.
The 71,300-gross-ton ship was not delayed and resumed her itinerary, returning to Hamburg for debarkation on December 22. AIDAmar can welcome 2,192 guests onboard, and is also home to more than 600 crew members.
Dangerous Waves Often Underestimated
This types of devastating incidents do occur occasionally, particularly when travelers may overestimate their own abilities or underestimate the power of rough seas near coastlines.
Just over one month ago, on November 8, a Dutch cruise passenger in Tenerife was swept away when a massive wave struck a pier where travelers were enjoying a shore excursion. Several others were injured in that incident.
In August 2025, two Greek cruise guests died in Greece after falling from rocks into the water during rough conditions. The married couple were attempting to take photos but drowned after being knocked into the water by strong winds.
Severe waves can occur without warning, causing not only dangerous conditions if anyone is struck by the wave, but also creating slippery conditions on rocky shores or piers. Strong undertows and other unknown coastal conditions can make it very hazardous for anyone in the water, even if they are good swimmers.
Should Cruise Lines Issue Warnings?
Such incidents raise the question of whether or not cruise lines should be obligated to issue warnings to guests about dangerous surf conditions or beaches known to be hazardous.
In August, a cruise family sued Norwegian Cruise Line more than a year after a drowning incident in Bermuda, alleging that the cruise line failed to properly notify guests about hazardous currents in the region.
Many beaches do post warnings on particularly extreme days, perhaps with signage or a flag system, but visitors may not be familiar with such warnings. Furthermore, cruise guests may not understand such warnings if they are not familiar with the system or do not speak the language.
It is always important for cruisers to be very aware of their surroundings and alert to sudden changes that could be dangerous no matter what the situation.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the woman’s family members and friends at this tragic time.
