Toddler Dies Unexpectedly During Mediterranean Cruise
It’s never pleasant to hear of the rare instances when a guest or crew member passes away at sea, but the news just feels so much worse when the deceased is a young child.
But unfortunately, this tragedy unfolded onboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Toscana, when a two-year-old boy tragically passed away during a 7-night Western Mediterranean voyage.
The large 6,554-guest cruise ship, which is operating multiple Mediterranean itineraries simultaneously, was en route from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, to Savona, Italy, when the child unfortunately died.
Based on cruise tracking data, this means that the death took place sometime between the evening of May 17, 2025, and the morning of May 18, 2025.
Per Italian news outlets like “Notizie,” the toddler suddenly collapsed while enjoying the voyage with his parents. Despite immediate intervention from the qualified onboard medical team, the child could not be revived – even after hours of trying.
It’s unclear if crew members had attempted to coordinate a medical evacuation for the child, but no rescue aircrafts rendezvoused with the cruise ship.
Cruise ships are also equipped with the tools necessary for resuscitation, including defibrillators (AEDs), cardiac monitors, and oxygen – so the healthcare staff would have been well equipped in their efforts to stabilize the young cruiser.
Unfortunately, early reports suggest that the boy likely succumbed to a pre-existing heart condition – which he had surgery for in the past.
His parents shared that their son had appeared healthy and energetic throughout the cruise and in the time surrounding the trip, which had given them false hope that their child was on the mend. He was even mid-play when he collapsed.
In order to protect their privacy, the family has not been identified beyond the child’s age – and that they are Chinese but reside in France.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts and condolences are with the family as they mourn their unimaginable loss.
What Happens Next?
For the grieving parents, their vacation has understandably come to an end, and the 1,678 crew members onboard have surely been doing their best to offer support.
The parents were given a private place to stay by their son’s side until the 185,010-gross ton Costa Toscana arrived in Savona at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time on May 18, 2025.
Upon arrival in the port, authorities boarded the ship to interview the grieving parents, the medical team, and other witnesses. As harsh as it may sound, investigations are standard protocol following a death at sea.
The child’s body was also removed from the ship while in the port, and will be repatriated to France – where he will be laid to rest.
There were no diversions or delays as a result of the sad incident, and the itineraries of the current simultaneous Mediterranean voyages have not been impacted.
Read Also: From Mishaps to Maydays – Cruise Ship Accidents
This news also comes on the same day that Princess Cruises shared that one of their own died mid-voyage.
Indeed, Captain Michele Bartolomei sadly died mid-voyage onboard Diamond Princess On May 19, 2025. He also passed suddenly following an unexpected medical event while the ship was visiting Keelung, Taiwan, for an overnight call.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Captain Michele Bartolomei, who died onboard Diamond Princess earlier of a sudden medical emergency,” Princess Cruises shared in a letter to passengers.
The beloved captain had spent a lifetime on ships, and was approaching his 30th anniversary working for the Carnival-owned cruise line. He will surely be missed by many on land and at sea.