Cruise Passenger Missing In St. Kitts After Becoming Lost On Mount Liamuiga Hike

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
You can receive cruise news updates straight to your inbox, so you don't miss a thing! Subscribe here.

A major search operation remains underway in St. Kitts and Nevis after a cruise passenger disappeared while hiking on Mount Liamuiga during a port visit from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Wang Zyuan, a 33-year-old Chinese national, was reported missing on 27th May 2026 after setting out alone on a hike in the Mount Liamuiga mountain range near Basseterre. Authorities said he was last seen on the trail at around 10 am local time.

Mount Liamuiga, St Kitts

The mountain, which is home to the highest peak on St. Kitts, is a popular attraction for visitors but is known for its steep and challenging terrain. Sections of the route can be rugged and slippery, particularly for hikers travelling without local guides.

According to authorities, Zyuan was hiking alone when he became lost. He reportedly contacted emergency services at approximately 2 pm to say he could no longer find his way, but communication was subsequently lost.

In an update issued on 28th May, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force confirmed that a large-scale search and rescue effort had been launched involving multiple agencies.

“The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), in collaboration with the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), is actively conducting a search and rescue operation for a missing hiker in the Mt. Liamuiga mountain range,” the force said.

“The missing individual has been identified as Wang Zyuan, a Chinese male national born on August 29th, 1992. Mr Wang was last seen on the hike trail at approximately 10 AM on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026. He was travelling alone and without a guide at the time of his disappearance.”

Missing Poster Rhapsody of the Seas

Search Efforts Continue

Emergency responders began searching the mountain shortly after receiving the alert and continued operations into the evening of 27th May.

The following day, teams resumed the search and worked their way up the mountainside toward the crater of the dormant volcano. Authorities said mobile phone tower data was being used to help narrow down the search area.

“A joint search and rescue team was immediately mobilised and conducted operations through the evening of May 27th. The team resumed the search on the morning of May 28th, combing the hillside up to the crater,” the police force said.

“The search has been suspended for the evening and will resume tomorrow, May 29th, 2026. Cell tower data obtained from the relevant network operator will be utilised to assist in directing tomorrow’s operation.”

The latest official update came on 29th May, when police appealed for volunteers to assist with search efforts around Mount Liamuiga. No further updates had been released by authorities as of 30th May.

Anyone in the area has been asked to remain alert and report any information that could assist rescuers. Zyuan was last reported to be wearing black clothing and red shoes.

Royal Caribbean Ship Continued Scheduled Voyage

While authorities have not publicly confirmed which vessel Zyuan was travelling on, cruise schedules show that Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas was the only cruise ship visiting Basseterre on 27th May. It remains possible that the missing man could be a crew member rather than a guest.

The Rhapsody of the Seas cruising the ocean

The 78,878-gross-tonne Vision-class ship was sailing a seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary that departed San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 23rd May.

As local emergency services coordinated the search operation, the cruise ship continued with its planned itinerary. Like most cruise lines, Royal Caribbean generally does not delay departures for missing or late passengers because of operational requirements and port schedules, except in certain circumstances involving cruise line-sponsored shore excursions.

Following its call in St. Kitts, Rhapsody of the Seas sailed to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands on 28th May before returning to Puerto Rico.

The vessel arrived in San Juan on 30th May, concluding the sailing and preparing to begin its next seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise.

The search for Wang Zyuan remains ongoing, with local authorities continuing efforts to locate the missing hiker in one of the island’s most challenging areas of terrain.

Related Posts

If you found this interesting, please share!


Jenni with Disney Cruise ship at Castaway Cay


Leave a comment