On the last day of a 7 day cruise we were going around a storm as the boat turned and slowed. The cruise director made an announcement that we turned off course to rescue a small watercraft in distress. As we got closer to what looked like a lifeboat we noticed it was a makeshift raft which was slowly sinking. One all were off the raft was punctured and slowly sank beneath the ship. After the rescue we learned they were 5 Cuban refugees trying to make it to the U.s. who were checked out in the medical bay, given food and amenities. About 6 hours later an announcement was made that we would rendezvous with a u.s. coast guard ship where our "guests" would be transferred. And likely sent back to their home country.