A guest who was reported missing from the Carnival Horizon cruise ship has made contact with the cruise line. Jessica Collins, 47, informed the Carnival Care Team that she is safe and wishes to be left alone. She reportedly left the ship in Kralendijk, Bonaire, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, and did not intend to return.
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that Collins took deliberate steps to remain in Bonaire. This includes clearing her stateroom and leaving a gratuity for the attendant before her departure.
Key Takeaways
- Jessica Collins, 47, left the Carnival Horizon in Bonaire on September 17, 2025.
- She contacted Carnival to state she is safe and does not want to be found.
- Collins took all her belongings and left a tip for her stateroom attendant.
- Local authorities in Bonaire are still involved in the situation.
- Abandoning a cruise is not a legal way to emigrate to another country.
Guest Actions Before Leaving the Ship
According to Carnival Cruise Line, Jessica Collins undertook specific actions indicating her intent to stay in Bonaire. Before disembarking the Carnival Horizon, she prepared her stateroom for her absence.
A statement from Carnival Cruise Line noted that Collins departed with all her personal items. She carried her belongings in a backpack, which appeared full in security images. She also left a cash gratuity and a thank you note for the stateroom attendant.
Fact Check
- Date of Departure: September 17, 2025
- Location: Kralendijk, Bonaire
- Ship: Carnival Horizon
- Guest Age: 47 years old
Communication with Carnival Care Team
After leaving the ship, Collins sent a text message to a member of Carnival's Care Team. This team had been trying to reach her after she failed to return to the vessel. In her message, Collins stated that she was safe and did not want to be contacted again.
"The guest subsequently texted a member of our Care Team who had been trying to reach her saying she was safe and did not want to be found or contacted again," Carnival Cruise Line stated.
This communication suggests that her absence was a deliberate personal choice rather than an accidental disappearance.
Response from Authorities and Cruise Line
Local authorities in Bonaire initiated a search for Collins following her failure to return to the ship. This is a standard procedure when a guest is reported missing from a cruise vessel.
Carnival Cruise Line has been cooperating with these local authorities. However, the cruise line also indicated that Collins' actions point to a voluntary departure.
Cruise Itinerary
The Carnival Horizon was on an 8-night Southern Caribbean sailing. Its itinerary included calls at Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. The ship was not delayed by the incident and continued its voyage as scheduled.
The vessel has since returned to its homeport in Miami and has already departed on its next scheduled sailing, a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary.
The Nature of a "Missing" Person Case
While local authorities continue their efforts, the situation is unusual. Collins is not missing in the traditional sense, but rather deliberately absent. Carnival Cruise Line maintains its commitment to assisting law enforcement as requested.
"While we are cooperating with local authorities this guest appears to have taken deliberate action to be alone and on her own," the cruise line commented.
Collins was traveling alone on the cruise. Security footage showed her disembarking in typical tourist attire: a patterned button-down shirt, shorts, and sandals. Her backpack appeared full, and she carried a water bottle. This appearance was not considered suspicious at the time, as many guests carry full bags for shore excursions.
Cruise Protocols for Unreturned Guests
When Collins did not return by the designated all-aboard time, the ship initiated standard procedures. Public address announcements were made throughout the vessel to locate her onboard.
These announcements are common for guests who might have accidentally missed scanning their cruise card upon re-entry or are simply delayed. If a guest remains unlocated, the cruise line then contacts local authorities at the port of call.
It is important for all cruise passengers to understand the strict all-aboard times. Missing the ship at a port of call can lead to significant travel complications and costs.
Emigration and Cruise Travel
Leaving a cruise ship and intentionally failing to return is not a legal method for emigrating to a new country. Every country has specific immigration laws and procedures that must be followed.
While Collins' reasons for remaining in Bonaire are unknown, some individuals consider emigration for various personal circumstances, such as seeking a new beginning or a different lifestyle.
Legal Pathways for Residency in Bonaire
Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands. For US citizens, entry to Bonaire typically does not require a visa for short stays. However, obtaining a residence permit for long-term stay involves a formal application process.
- Visa-Free Entry: US citizens can enter Bonaire without a visa.
- Residence Permit Application: An application for a residence permit can be submitted once on the island.
- Permit Validity: These permits are generally valid for one year and can be renewed for up to five years.
- Citizenship Requirements: Applying for Dutch citizenship involves additional factors, including cultural integration, language proficiency, and potentially renouncing other citizenships.
These legal pathways contrast sharply with the act of abandoning a cruise. Such actions can lead to legal complications for the individual involved.
The Broader Implications
This incident highlights the importance of understanding immigration laws when traveling internationally. Cruise lines are responsible for ensuring all passengers return to the ship or are accounted for before departure.
The decision by Jessica Collins to remain in Bonaire, communicated directly to Carnival, shifts the nature of her absence from a "missing person" search to a voluntary personal choice, albeit one with potential legal ramifications regarding her immigration status.
Cruise lines, like Carnival, must balance passenger privacy with their obligations to local authorities and international travel regulations. This case underscores the complex situations that can arise during international travel.
