A group of stranded sailors have been rescued from certain death by a cruise liner

Five sailors who had been previously drifting on a small vessel in the Caribbean have been rescued by a passing Princess Cruises liner.

The group of Jamaican sailors had feared the worst when their small boat lost its way during a recent trip to a friend’s barbecue, leaving them stranded in the ocean for three weeks.

However, they didn’t count on the passing cruise vessel the Island Princess, which had been scheduled to head to the nearby port of Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

Speaking to the Associated Press, cruise holidaymaker Andy Greenberg recounted the events involving the discovery of the stranded vessel.

“We noticed the boat slowing down,” he told the news provider

“We pulled up and the occupants were screaming: `No food, no water.'”

The stranded sailors initially requested fuel to continue on their trip but with cruise officials concerned for their health, this plea was denied and they were instead transported to the safety of the shore.

The story contrasts the tale of the Star Princess, which was previously accused of failing to stop for stranded fishermen back in March.

In that instance, evidence was eventually produced which cleared the cruise company of the claim.