P&O cruise: How a three-day party at sea for Elvis fans on the Pacific Adventure ended in heartbreaking tragedy after it turned into the deadly cruise from hell

Passengers on an Elvis-themed cruise have described how two tragedies rocked the voyage, including the death of an Australian man who fell overboard.

NSW Police received reports that a P&O passenger had gone overboard from the Pacific Adventure ship 10 nautical miles off Sydney Heads just after 4am on Monday.

A search was immediately launched before a man’s body was discovered at 10.30am.

The P&O ship was due to dock at 6am Sydney on the final day of the three-night Elvis tribute voyage complete with themed parties, karaoke and trivia, but was delayed as police searched for the overboard passenger.

There are unconfirmed reports that the passenger fell from the seventh deck. 

The tragedy happened hours after a passenger was medically evacuated from the cruise ship and transported to shore for further treatment.

Some of the 2,600 passengers claimed that ship crew provided little information about the latest tragedy when they finally disembarked at White Bay Terminal on Monday afternoon.

‘They didn’t tell us what was happening,’ passenger James told Daily Mail Australia

‘They told us that there was a man overboard and that’s it.

‘We weren’t told what his name was and what age he might have been.’

Lachlan added: ‘There was zero communication from staff.

‘We don’t know what happened.

‘It happened at 4am and there was an alert that went out letting us know that a guy went overboard.’

P&O Cruises refused to comment on how the tragedy unfolded as police are prepare a report for the coroner.

‘Our crew and guests faced a challenging and tragic day. We thank our guests for their patience and understanding,’ a spokeswoman said.

The company added that the family of the deceased passenger was supported onboard by staff.

It’s since been revealed that another incident rocked on the vessel the previous morning after a frightened passenger detailedthe harrowing events on social media.

‘Yesterday it was a 6am announcement that there was a medical episode and a chopper was on its way,’ Cecile Thompson said.

‘Three decks were evacuated from their rooms in a 2-hour-long operation.’

P&O has since confirmed the earlier incident.

‘I can confirm a guest was medically evacuated from Pacific Adventure yesterday morning, requiring shoreside medical treatment.’ the spokesperson said.

The ship, carrying more than 2600 guests, was due to dock in Sydney Harbour at 6am but instead spent Monday morning searching the missing passenger.

The cruise ship which docked at White Bay Cruise Terminal in Balmain Monday afternoon and is expected to leave tonight on a four-night voyage to Queensland.

However, expectant travellers and families collecting loved ones claimed the terminal ran out of food.

‘The passengers that are supposed to leave on that same ship later tonight have been taken somewhere close so that they can get something to eat and other refreshments.’ a traveller who did not wish to be named said.

Parents David and Jenny, whose son Nathan is blind and has cerebral palsy say they were in the dark about when he would be allowed off the vessel.

‘We’ve been here since 10:30 and the Port Authorities and P&O haven’t told us what’s going,’ Jenny explained.

‘We’ve driven down here from Broken Hill and we’re supposed to head down to Dubbo which is another six hour drive from here.’