The Carnival Paradise, home-ported in Tampa, rescued eight Cuban nationals who had become stranded on a raft adrift in the water between Florida and the Cayman Islands.
Carnival Cruise Line officials confirm that the ship encountered the group of seven males and one female just before 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10. The group was stuck in the water asking for help.
The individuals were brought aboard Carnival Paradise and given medical evaluations, food and water. The group is now in the custody of Cayman authorities, CCL officials say.
Carnival Paradise was on a five-day Caribbean cruise that departed on Saturday. The ship is now in Grand Cayman where the eight Cubans disembarked.
