( CNN ) -- A passenger aboard the British-based cruise ship MS Marco Polo was killed after the ship was hit by a `` freak wave during adverse sea conditions '' as it made its way into the English Channel , according to a statement released Friday by the ship 's owner , Cruise & Maritime Voyages . `` One elderly passenger has died and a further passenger has been airlifted for further shore-side medical assistance , '' it said . The cruise line did not release the identity nor nationality of the dead passenger . The ship was en route from the Azores to its home port in Tilbury , England , and it was carrying 735 passengers and 349 crew members , the cruise line said . The passengers are primarily British , it said . The cruise line did not reveal the condition of the injured passenger or say whether there were other injuries . A man whose mother and father are aboard the Marco Polo said he first learned of the incident when his parents texted him . They said a large wave hit the side of the ship between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. local time as they were dining in one of the ship 's restaurants , said the man , who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity citing concern over a possible backlash against his parents . When the wave hit , the windows in the restaurant burst and people were injured , the man said . Passengers were asked to the go their rooms , and the man said his parents did that as the ship rocked side to side . The ship never lost power , he said . The ship is scheduled to arrive in Tilbury on Sunday , he said . In November : Passenger intentionally went overboard . Florida boy , 6 , drowns in cruise ship pool . CNN 's Brian Walker contributed to this report .
MS Marco Polo was entering the English Channel when it was hit , the cruise operator said . One elderly passenger died and another was taken off the ship , it said . The ship was en route from the Azores to its home port of Tilbury , England .