Body is found after a man went overboard on a cruise ship just outside Sydney Harbour

A grim update has emerged in the search for a cruise ship passenger who went overboard in waters just outside Sydney.

A man’s body has been pulled from the water after going overboard on a cruise ship.

P & O’s Pacific Adventure was due to dock in Sydney Harbour at 6am on Monday at the end of a three-day Elvis-themed cruise.

But after a male passenger went overboard in the early hours, the ship remained in the waters just off the city’s Eastern Suburbs while a huge search was underway.

Police have now confirmed a man’s body was retrieved from the water at 10.30am, 10 nautical miles off Sydney Heads.

The development comes after images revealed the “very rocky and windy” conditions in the waters this morning.

A P & O Pacific Adventure passenger has gone overboard. Photo: P & O

Fightradar24 as of 9am shows a rescue plane’s search pattern.

Pacific Adventure has not yet docked with fears a passenger has gone overboard.

P&O’s Pacific Adventure was cleared by NSW Police to return to port shortly before midday.

The ship was hosting an Elvis-themed voyage called ‘Tribute to The King’, promising a long weekend of “themed parties, karaoke, trivia and much more”.

One passenger on board the P&O ship, Kel, said that when the alarm sounded on board the ship she lept out of bed.

“We jumped out of bed so fast,” she wrote.

“Was hectic! Been circling in the same spot for over 5hrs now.”

The Carnival Cruise ship Carnival Splendor was also at sea during the search despite being due in port this morning.

It is understood this ship has been towed into the harbour and docked at Circular Quay at 10.30am.

Andres Vargas sent images of the P&O ship to news.com.au. Picture: Andres Vargas

They showed unfavourable conditions on Monday morning. Picture: Andres Vargas

One passenger on board showed just how turbulent the waves were at sea.

On board Splendor, the passenger, who goes by @auscruisecouple on TikTok, shared a selfie of the conditions.

“We have been offshore since about 4 o’clock this morning unable to dock due to an emergency situation,” she said.

“We are witnessing the helicopter searching and search and rescue boats as well … it is as you can see, quite choppy.”

@auscruisecouple man over board from P&O search and rescue off Sydney since 4am 6 May 2024 #auscruisecouple #carnivalsplendor #pacificadventurer #news #manoverboard #Australia #searchandrescue ♬ original sound - Aus Cruise Couple

Andres Vargas sent images of the P&O ship to news.com.au.

He said at the time conditions were “very rocky and windy.”

Another passenger on board, who asked not to named, told news.com.au earlier today that the situation at sea was “scary”.

“We’re docked out at sea and aren’t allowed in yet due to the search and rescue,” he said before 8am on Monday.

“An announcement came out for us at 7am saying that an emergency rescue operation was being conducted and we weren’t allowed to enter the channel into the harbour.

“We are maybe 20km out from land and will stay here until we get permission to head back in.”

It is understood that Splendor had been on standby to assist in the search

“I don’t think many people know that there is a passenger overboard nearby. We had heard a rumour,” he added.

A passenger on board nearby Carnival Splendour said the scene was "scary".

Police boats circle amid a frantic search and rescue off Sydney.

One man who was supposed to pick up passengers from the Pacific Adventure told 2GB he was told “don’t rush” because “the ship’s stopped outside the head and somebody’s gone overboard.”

A passenger told 2GB’s Ben Fordham they were woken up by a “man overboard call”.

“We got woken up with the man overboard call and from there it’s been all on for a couple of hours now,” he said.

P&O said Pacific Adventure’s next voyage, a 4-night trip to Queensland due to depart White Bay this afternoon, has been delayed until Monday night.

“We thank guests for their care, understanding and patience on what’s been a distressing day for guests and crew,” a spokesperson said.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the guest at this difficult time.”