Horror as 2 cruise ship passengers drown just hours apart

Two cruise passengers have drowned at a new holiday resort. A 79-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman, both from America, died at Carnival's new Bahamas resort. The tragedy occurred less than a month after the $600 million Celebration Key opened.

Carnival officials said the "water emergency incidents" involved guests from two different ships at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island. A Carnival spokesman said: "Carnival lifeguards and medical teams responded to both incidents, one in the lagoon and the other at the beach.

The victims were identified by the Royal Bahamas Police Force as a 79-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman, both U.S. citizens. Investigations into the deaths are ongoing, reported the New York Post.

The man became unresponsive while snorkeling at the beach just before noon on August 15. A lifeguard pulled him from the water and CPR was administered, but he was pronounced dead shortly after.

The woman was found unresponsive in a swimming pool around 2.30 pm. Post-mortem examinations are being conducted on both passengers.

One had travelled on the Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral, Florida, for a six-day Eastern Bahama trip, while the other had taken the four-day Carnival Elation cruise from Jacksonville, Florida

The spokesman said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our Care Team is providing support."

Celebration Key, called the "Key to Paradise," opened July 19 exclusively for Carnival guests. The resort features 275,000-square-foot freshwater lagoons, an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, and the world's largest swim-up bar at the Calypso Lagoon.

The resort also offers paddleboarding, dining, and bars, with a pier currently accommodating two ships and plans for future expansion.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy called the opening an "extraordinary milestone," describing the resort as the ultimate beach destination for relaxation or fun.

Express.co.uk has contacted Carnival for comment.