Coast Guard Sector Boston was notified by the ship of a person going overboard at approximately 7 p.m.
A 47-motor life boat crew from Station Gloucester, the crew of the 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Campbell, a MH-60 Jayhawk crew from Air Station Cape Cod and the Rockport harbormaster all responded and searched the area.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. the Rockport harbormaster, with emergency medical service personnel aboard, recovered the body.
Boston news media said the woman was 59.
Seabourn Quest had sailed from Boston Friday afternoon, en route to Bar Harbor, Maine.