The gigantic cruise liner, Miami-based Royal Caribbean. Afterward, the ship was headed to Honduras. After leaving Miami, they encountered the small craft “adrift and in need of assistance.”

Crew members aboard the world’s largest cruise ship have rescued 14 people who had been stranded at sea on a tiny boat. Altogether, they had been missing for eight days.

The drama unfolded as the 1,198ft (365m) Icon of the Seas headed for Honduras after leaving Miami.

Passengers heard a broadcast over the loudspeakers of “Code Oscar, code Oscar, code Oscar”. This is the emergency call sign for a person overboard.

The crew launched a small vessel to ferry the stranded group. Moreover, they had been waving a large white flag to safety.

Miami-based Royal Caribbean said in a statement the liner encountered the craft “adrift and in need of assistance”.

Furthermore, the cruise operator added: “The ship’s crew immediately launched a rescue operation, safely bringing 14 people on board.

“The crew gave medical attention, and is working closely with the US Coast Guard.”

Alessandra Amodio was on the cruise liner along with her family when the rescue happened. Additionally, she, along with the bulk of the passengers, says that this is something that ended up being traumatic for everyone involved.

“We’ve been on a handful of cruises and never seen something like this happen.