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Family of Toddler Who Died from Fall Off Cruise Ship Speaks Out: 'We Have to Go on for Her'

"To lose our baby this way is just unfathomable," Chloe Wiegand's mom, Kimberly, told Today through tears of her toddler daughter who died after the fall

The parents of Chloe Wiegand are speaking out in their first interview since the 18-month-old fell to her death from a docked cruise ship earlier this month.

Opening up on the Today show Monday in an emotional conversation with Savannah Guthrie , Alan and Kimberly Wiegand recalled the traumatic scene following the accident, when Chloe’s grandfather Sam placed her on a railing near a window that he believed to be a closed part of a glass wall.

“He was extremely hysterical. The thing that he has repeatedly told us is, ‘I believed that there was glass,’ ” she told Guthrie, 47. “He will cry over and over and over. At no point ever — ever — has Sam ever put our kids in danger.”

Alan said that Sam is “very distraught,” to the point where you can “barely look at him without him crying.”

“[Chloe] was his best friend,” he added, visibly emotional.

While in the children’s play area of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Chloe tragically died after she fell more than 10 stories onto a concrete dock in Puerto Rico. Chloe was used to being next to glass, having a habit of banging on the panels at the hockey rink at home while attending her brother’s games and practices.

“When they told me Chloe had died, I didn’t know that she went out a window ,” Kimberly told Guthrie through tears. “I just saw Sam standing next to the wall of windows by the kids’ splash pad, screaming and banging on it.”

“There was someone from Royal Caribbean who kept trying to stop me,” she continued. “And I just kept saying, ‘Take me to my baby. Where’s my baby? Take me to my baby.’ I didn’t even notice a window. I ran over there, and I looked over … and it wasn’t water down there, it was concrete.”

“To lose our baby this way is just unfathomable ,” Kimberly said, adding later in the interview, “This one mother just came and held me and embraced me and I’ll never forget it. She just said, ‘God, watch over this family.’ I just want to thank her. I don’t know where she is or who she is.”

RELATED VIDEO: Family in “Shock” After Baby Apparently Slips from Grandfather’s Hands and Falls from Cruise Ship

In a previous statement to PEOPLE , a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said they are “deeply saddened” by the incident, adding, “We’ve made our Care Team available to assist the family with any resources they need. Out of respect for their privacy, we do not plan to comment further on the incident.”

A spokesperson also previously told NBC News that the cruise line was cooperating with local authorities in the investigation.

Kimberly told Guthrie on Monday that she thinks Royal Caribbean “[has] to be” responsible for the incident, adding, “This cannot happen to another family.”

“We obviously blame them,” she said. “There are a million things that could’ve been done to make that safer. I know my mom was asking people, ‘Why on Earth is there a window open on the 11th floor without a screen or anything?’ ”

“And their response to that was, ‘We need ventilation,’ ” Kimberly claimed. “Well, to that I would say, ‘Get a fan. Come up with some other mechanism to make your guests comfortable, rather than creating a tremendous safety hazard that cost our child her life.’ ”

Kimberly “never [wants] another mother to have to experience this or to see what I had to see” in regard to the accident (“to scream how I had to scream”), or in seeing her son wish he had been there to save his sister.

But she and her husband are remembering their baby girl’s “light” and her ability to make anyone crack a smile.

As Alan explained to Guthrie of Chloe , “We’ll never forget her. She’s part of our soul that’s not there anymore.”

“It’s really easy to shut out the world and to give up, but we will not do that because that’s not who Chloe was,” Kimberly adds. “We have to go on for her. We can’t give up.”

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Teen passenger dies after fall on Royal Caribbean cruise ship based at Port Canaveral

A teenage passenger died after falling from the balcony to a deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that sails out of Port Canaveral, according to the media site TMZ.

TMZ reported that a 16-year-old boy died Saturday while on a cruise, after the fall that occurred on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. The passenger was transported to a hospital for treatment, but died there.

In a statement to FLORIDA TODAY, Royal Caribbean said: "We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest, and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for them, we won’t provide any further comment."

Allure at Port Canaveral: Allure of the Seas joins Port Canaveral lineup as largest ship with twice-weekly sailings

The Allure sails out of Port Canaveral on a three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas, with stops at Nassau and Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean's private island. The cruise on which the incident occurred was a three-night sailing that left Port Canaveral on Friday and returned Monday. The ship then departed Monday from Port Canaveral on a four-night sailing.

The Allure of the Seas has 2,748 staterooms, a double-occupancy capacity of 5,496 passengers and a full capacity of 6,828 passengers. It is the world's fifth-largest cruise ship. Port Canaveral ― the world's busiest cruise port ― also is home to the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

The Allure of the Seas joined the Port Canaveral lineup in October.

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at  [email protected] , on X at  @bydaveberman  and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

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16-year-old dies in fall aboard royal caribbean cruise ship that set sail from florida: report, allure of the seas departed port canaveral for the bahamas.

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – A 16-year-old died after falling from a balcony to the deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that set sail from Port Canaveral, according to TMZ.com .

The teen fell Saturday aboard Allure of the Seas, which left the port on Friday and traveled to the Bahamas before returning to Florida on Monday.

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News 6 spoke with a passenger aboard the ship, who said the cruise line made an announcement urging passengers to donate blood.

TMZ reported that the boy died at a hospital.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest, and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for them, we won’t provide any further comment,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

TMZ posted photos of yellow caution tape across a balcony on the ship.

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16-year-old passenger on Royal Caribbean cruise dies after fall from ship's balcony

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. (WKRC) - A 16-year-old boy is dead after he fell from a balcony to the deck on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship Saturday.

According to WKMG, the Allure of the Seas left port from Port Canaveral, Florida and sailed to the Bahamas before returning Monday. Per TMZ , on Saturday, the teen fell from a balcony to the deck in the early hours. The outlet noted that it wasn't clear if the fall was accidental.

The cruise line made an emergency announcement urging other passengers to donate blood at a medical tent to help save the teen's life, according to TMZ, which reported that the boy later died at a hospital. The outlet noted that the hospital was not located aboard the ship.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest, and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for them, we won’t provide any further comment,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement obtained by TMZ.

Report: Teenage boy on Royal Caribbean cruise…

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Report: Teenage boy on Royal Caribbean cruise dies after fall from balcony

A teenage boy died over the weekend after apparently falling from a balcony to the deck below on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship sailing out of Florida, according to TMZ.

The teen fell early Saturday aboard the Allure of the Seas, which left Port Canaveral on Friday and traveled to the Bahamas before returning Monday to Florida.

The cruise ship is based out of Port Canaveral and frequently sails to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.

According to TMZ, the boy was taken to a hospital as first responders attempted lifesaving treatments, but he was later pronounced dead.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest, and our hearts go out to the family,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told TMZ. “Out of respect for them, we won’t provide any further comment.”

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Cameron Robbins: Search called off for teen who ‘jumped off cruise ship as a dare’

Star high school baseball player cameron robbins, 18, vanished after reportedly jumping from a sunset cruise ship on a dare., article bookmarked.

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The US Coast Guard has suspended a search for a missing Louisiana teenager who reportedly jumped off a boat on a dare during a high school graduation trip to the Bahamas .

Cameron Robbins, 18, was celebrating with students from University High Lab School in Baton Rouge when he fell from the Blackbeard’s Revenge sunset cruise at about 11.30pm on Wednesday, a Lousiana State University (LSU) spokesperson told WBRZ .

A massive two-day operation conducted by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and US Coast Guard using helicopters and surveillance aircraft failed to yield any trace of the teenager, and the search was called off on Friday, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

Robbins had arrived in the Bahamas with students from several Baton Rouge high schools on a graduation holiday just a few hours before he disappeared, a parent told WAFB .

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• A doomed dare, haunting video and shark speculation: What we know about Cameron Robbins’ disappearance off a cruise ship

Witnesses told the local news site that Robbins was acting on a dare when he fell from the boat.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has said it is investigating the claims.

Robbins fell from the boat near Athol Island, northeast of Nassau, the US Coast Guard said .

Video obtained by WBRZ appears to show the teenager splashing in the water and swimming alongside the boat before disappearing.

The cruise ship, which is designed to look like a pirate ship, searched for several hours for the missing student, witnesses told the news site.

Robbins’ family flew out to the Bahamas on Thursday, according to WAFB .

In a statement, the family said it was returning to Raton Rouge after the search was called off.

“We want to thank the Bahamas government, the US Coast Guard, the United Cajun Navy, and Congressman Garrett Graves for everything they have done for us,” the statement read, according to USA Today .

“In this time of grief, we thank our family, friends, and well-wishers for granting us the privacy we need to properly remember our son and mourn his loss.”

Friends and school teachers gathered at University High Lab School, which is run by LSU’s College of Human Sciences and Education, gathered for a prayer circle at the school last week.

Robbins’ high school baseball coach Justin Morgan told CNN he was a “fierce competitor” who played third baseman and pitcher.

Kevin George, the director of LSU’s College of Human Sciences and Education, told the network in an interview that Robbins had attended the school for 13 years.

“He’s an athlete, great kid, great smile, great head of hair. Just one of the kids you’re so proud of when they cross the stage,” Mr George told CNN.

In a news release on Friday, the US Coast Guard said: “We were informed by the RBDF this evening that they were suspending the active search efforts pending further developments, and were not requesting further Coast Guard assistance after notifying the Robbins family.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends.”

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Teen jumps from cruise ship's upper balcony, death ruled a suicide, company says

Msc would not discuss additional details out of respect for the family's privacy.

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A 15-year-old boy died by suicide after jumping from the balcony of a cruise ship onto one of the decks below during a voyage returning from a 5-night trip to the Caribbean and Bahamas . 

Crew Center reported that the MSC Seashore ship alerted passengers with the "Man Overboard" alarm around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

One passenger told Crew Center: "We just had 3 emergency blasts following captain’s announcement 'Man Overboard.' People started running to the sides to investigate what happen, although it's nighttime. A crew member came to our cabin and instructed us to close the balcony door and draw the blinds. Police will board tomorrow when we return to Miami to investigate this tragic event."

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In an emotional video posted on YouTube, one passenger sailing on the MSC Seashore reacted to the "Man Overboard" alarm in real time.

"The ship is still moving. I was really hoping that it would come to a stop. I don't expect a ship this huge to come to a stop, on a dime," said the passenger whose YouTube username Fancy CheapSkate.

"It would probably take some time, but I don't know what they're gonna do. If they're gonna send a lifeboat out for a search. I just feel like we're still moving. It just feels so wrong. It still feels like we're still going forward."

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A TikTok travel vlogger, who goes by username @austinhamawy took to TikTok during the alert as well. 

"Sad to report last night on our cruise a 15-year-old fell from the 16th floor. He sadly did not make it," stated the vlogger.

He later posted an additional video saying the teen landed on the 8th floor and died upon impact.

MSC responded to a statement saying: 

"A young man traveling with his family on board MSC Seashore appears to have died of suicide Wednesday evening. Our team immediately notified authorities and our care team is assisting the young man’s family on board.

"All of us at MSC Cruises are heartbroken. The family remains in our thoughts and prayers."

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MSC would not discuss additional details out of respect for the family's privacy.

A Miami-Dade PD detective told Fox News that they responded at 7 am Thursday morning to Port Miami. 

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Teen dies after falling from balcony on royal caribbean cruise.

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A teenager died Saturday after reportedly falling from a  Royal Caribbean ship’s balcony.

Passengers told TMZ a 16-year-old died after falling from a balcony onto a deck on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas ship, saying it’s unclear if the incident was intentional.

One passenger on the ship said there was an announcement asking for passengers willing to donate blood early on Saturday morning, according to  FOX 35 .

The teen was reportedly taken to  a hospital  but later died.

Pictures taken by a passenger on the ship show yellow caution tape on a balcony and one area of the deck blocked off by a tent and a temporary wall.

The Allure of the Seas had just begun a 3-day trip when the incident happened and was between Port Canaveral, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas.

A spokesperson for  Royal Caribbean  didn’t address what happened but told Fox News Digital one passenger had died.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for them, we won’t provide any further comment,” a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said.

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Teen plunges to death from cruise ship that was returning to Miami

A teenager aboard a cruise ship plunged to his death last week, prompting an investigation by police in Florida.

No foul play is suspected in the boy's death, Miami-Dade Police Detective Chris Thomas said.

The boy died at around 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday aboard the MSC Seashore as the ship was returning from a five-day trip to the Caribbean, said MSC Cruises, the cruise line that runs the MSC Seashore.

MSC Cruises did not identify the teenager, describing him only as a young man who was traveling with his family. It said in a statement that he "appears to have died of suicide."

"Our team immediately notified authorities and our care team assisted the young man’s family on board," the statement said. "All of us at MSC Cruises are heartbroken. The family remains in our thoughts and prayers."

In chaotic videos passengers posted to social media after the incident, a "man overboard" alarm can be heard over the loudspeaker; police said their investigation later revealed that the death happened on board.

"Once the vessel came into the port, they responded to a deceased person on the ship," Thomas said.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death, he said.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at  800-273-8255 , text HOME to 741741 or visit  SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources  for additional resources.

Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children.

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Teen dies after falling from cruise ship headed from florida, per report.

David Dwork , Digital Journalist

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – A teenage passenger aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship leaving Florida died after falling from a balcony, TMZ is reporting .

It happened on Saturday as the Allure of the Seas was traveling from Port Canaveral to Nassau, per the report.

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Details of what led to the 16-year-old’s death were not revealed.

According to TMZ, the boy was taken to a hospital as first responders attempted life-saving treatments, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Photos obtained by TMZ show a balcony with crime scene tape surrounding it, and below on the deck, a blue tent.

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David dwork.

David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.

Boy, 16, dies on Royal Caribbean cruise ship after plunging from balcony

A teenager has died after falling off the balcony of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, according to eyewitness reports.

The tragedy unfolded on the Allure of the Seas - the world's fifth-largest cruise liner - as the 1,200ft vessel headed from Port Canaveral in Florida to Nassau, Bahamas.

The witness said a 16-year-old boy died after plunging from the balcony to the deck on Saturday.

Those on the ship that extensive efforts were made to save the child, even asking passengers to donate blood if eligible. However, the teen passed away later in hospital .

READ MORE: Woman astonished as stranger helps her uncover amazing family secret by chance

According to other passengers, there was a ship-wide announcement in the early hours of the morning calling on blood donors to come forward. One passenger even described the windy and rainy conditions at the time the boy fell.

The boy's mum also wrote a heartfelt message thanking those who came forward offering blood and also a woman who gave her a much-needed hug.

A representative from Royal Caribbean told TMZ : "We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest, and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for them, we won't provide any further comment."

Describing getting woken up, one passenger wrote on Facebook : "At 3am the first night of our cruise they woke us up to an announcement that they needed O + or O - blood donors emergently. We knew it must have been serious to wake the whole boat. They told us the next day they were able to get many donors."

Reports suggest the boy fell and hit the deck in an interior area of the massive ship called Central Park. One passenger wrote: "We were on that ship. It happened on the first night around midnight. Captain came on and asked for blood donations twice. We actually walked through that area shortly before it happened.

"It was extremely windy and rainy and slippery to walk on the ground. The incident happened in a room with a balcony that faced an interior uncovered part. it’s a Part of the ship that is uncovered called Central Park. Like a uncovered promenade with shops and restaurants It’s almost like a wind tunnel when the boat is cruising."

The passenger added a tribute to the boys mum, saying: "My heart goes out to her, I can’t imagine what she is going through."

She also described the railings on the ship's balconies as "extremely high."

The boy's mum posted a on a Facebook group for the cruise thanking those who came forward after the call for blood donors. Aymee Comas-Diaz wrote: "I want to thank everyone who came out in the middle of the night to donate blood to my son. He was 16 years old and full of life but unfortunately did not survive.

"I can't begin to express how much it meant to me and my family to see so many strangers come down to help us. And to the lady who gave me a hug, thank so much. I needed it."

For inquiries or if you have any information on this story, contact [email protected]