Missing Cruise Passenger Was Celebrating Birthday

The U.S. Coast Guard will search through the night to find a Bay Minette woman, who reportedly went overboard on the Holiday cruise ship.

Michelle Vilborg, 50, was reported missing around 11 p.m. Monday after another passenger on the ship reported hearing a splash.

"You kinda want to believe she's in the ship somewhere," said Erik Vilborg, the missing passenger's son. "We try to think of it that way but knowing deep down inside she's missing."

Michelle Vilborg and her husband, Sven, decided to go on the cruise just a couple weeks ago, according to their son. They have been married for 30 years and this was their first cruise. The couple was celebrating Michelle's birthday.

Erik Vilborg, who has spoken to his dad several times from the ship, tells News Five his dad says he was asleep in their cabin when he heard the alarm and a 'man overboard' announcement.

"He woke up and the alarms were going off, and she wasn't in the room," said Erik Vilborg, who says there are no cameras on the boat and, as of right now, he does not know of any witnesses who saw his mom go overboard.

The cruise ship had only been sailing a few hours. It departed from the Alabama Cruise Terminal in Mobile Monday afternoon.

The ship is continuing it's voyage, while the Coast Guard continues their search. The Holiday will dock tonight in Cozumel, Mexico.