Crew member dies after going overboard from Regal Princess cruise ship that departed Fort Lauderdale

A Princess Cruises ship that departed Port Everglades over the weekend is back underway after a tragic day at sea.

Princess Cruises confirmed Monday evening that a crew member died after going overboard from the Regal Princess while the ship was sailing off Mexico's Caribbean coast. 

The update comes hours after the cruise line said the crew member was unaccounted for and that an extensive search-and-rescue operation was underway. 

The Regal Princess had been headed to Cozumel when passengers said they received an announcement from the captain that a crew member had gone overboard.

According to passenger David Jimenez, the ship immediately began searching the area while another cruise ship and Mexican maritime authorities assisted in the effort.

"But after searching intensely for over eight hours, the cruise line confirmed the crew member had perished," Jimenez told CBS News Miami by phone.

Jimenez said passengers were not told the identity of the crew member.

"No details were given. We don't know who he is," he said.

Jimenez shared photos and video of the search with CBS News Miami, describing how the Regal Princess repeatedly retraced its path.

"At times the ship slowed down and went in circles. Then they would come back and circle again," he said.

Because of the incident, the ship's scheduled stop in Cozumel was canceled.

Jimenez said Princess Cruises kept passengers informed throughout the ordeal, providing hourly updates and making counseling services available onboard. "They are following procedures but kept people updated every hour," he said.

The Regal Princess departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday on a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary with scheduled stops in Mexico, Belize and Honduras. 

Earlier Monday, Princess Cruises told CBS News Miami it was coordinating closely with maritime authorities after the crew member went overboard.

"Our thoughts are with the crew member, their family, and all those impacted by this situation," the cruise line said in a statement. "We are providing support to our onboard team." 

Jimenez, who has taken multiple cruises before, said he had never experienced anything like Monday's tragedy.

"I don't imagine it's common, but that was the case today."