Yet-to-be named, the passenger in her 70s was reportedly holidaying with her daughter aboard the ship that departed Southampton on a 14-night western Mediterranean cruise on 26 September.

“A body has been recovered from the water by the ship’s crew,” a P&O spokesperson said to the U.K.’s Daily Mail.

“Our care team are looking after the family.”

The major search operation was believed to have also involved Thomson Spirit which was en route to Cadiz, Spain when the incident occurred.

Fellow passenger and Sheffield, U.K. resident Pat Rodgers spoke to The Guardian on Sunday and reported that the ocean had been “very choppy” and that passengers were “sad and subdued” during the search that saw planes and helicopters circling overhead to assist lifeboats.

“The captain made an announcement over the loudspeaker at 8:10am this morning and asked everyone to help keep a lookout,” Ms Rodgers said to The Guardian.

“The crew have been great. They are keeping things calm and the captain is giving frequent updates.”

The formal identification of the woman’s body is expected to take place later this week.

Originally written by Natalie Aroyan for e-Travel Blackboard