Cruise ship steps up search for passenger

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Staff of a cruise ship spent Sunday morning searching for a 42-year-old passenger who reportedly went overboard.

The Carnival Conquest was finishing a seven-day trip through the Caribbean when the man was reported missing. Another passenger reported seeing the man go overboard from a cabin balcony around 11 p.m. Saturday, the Houston Chronicle reported Sunday in its online edition.

"The ship's command immediately initiated search-and-rescue procedures and notified (the) U.S. Coast Guard," Carnival Cruise Lines officials said in a statement.

Coast Guard officials released the ship to return to port later on Sunday. It was scheduled to dock in Galveston.