A passenger has died after attempting to jump overboard a Princess Cruises ship while it was en route back to Florida after a pre-Christmas cruise around the Caribbean, reports The Independent.

The incident reportedly occurred on December 21, on the Sky Princess, which was on its final day of an eight-day Western Caribbean voyage.

The vessel left Fort Lauderdale on December 15, before sailing to Princess Cays in the Bahamas, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, and sailing back into Port Everglades on Sunday.

The unnamed woman’s death was confirmed by Princess Cruises in a statement to Cruise Radio: "Princess Cruises is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of a 48-year-old American female guest who attempted to jump overboard earlier today aboard Sky Princess.

“The guest fell to a lower deck, where she was promptly rescued.

“Shipboard personnel immediately provided emergency medical care, but despite their best efforts, she could not be revived."

The cruise line added that it was cooperating with local and federal authorities as they investigate the circumstances around the incident.