It’s never a good idea to drop the word “bomb” – especially when you’re talking about a cruise ship.

A 19-year-old from Bailey, Michigan, is learning this the hard way after being indicted on charges related to a false bomb threat that caused chaos aboard a Carnival Cruise Line voyage earlier this year.

On September 25, 2024, the US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, announced that Joshua Darrell Lowe II faces criminal charges for making a false bomb threat that triggered a full-scale search and emergency response on Carnival Sunrise.

The incident occurred in January 2024, when the cruise line received an email warning, “Hey, I think someone might have a bomb on your Sunrise cruise ship.”

The 101,509-gross-ton had just left Miami, Florida, bound for Jamaica, with 2,984 passengers and 1,108 crew. The threat prompted personnel to search over 1,000 staterooms to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

The cruise line also contacted US Coast Guard and Jamaican Marine Police, who escorted the ship to port for further investigation. Fortunately, no explosives were found, but the incident caused delays and heightened tension aboard the ship.

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“We take every threat of mass violence,” said Totten. “Hoaxes can endanger lives, incur needless costs, and divert public safety resources needed to address real threats.”

He continued, “My office has zero tolerance for wrongdoers who intentionally convey false and misleading information that prompts a law enforcement response.”

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, Cheyvoryea Gibson, stressed the gravity of such threats. “Bomb threats are not a laughing matter and are extremely irresponsible,” he added.

“The FBI takes all threats to life seriously and will ensure that those who resort to this kind of intimidation face the appropriate consequences,” he added.

If convicted, Lowe could face up to five years in prison and will likely be required to pay restitution for the expenses incurred by his alleged hoax.

Hoaxes and Serious Consequences

Section 35 of Title 18 of the US Department of Justice’s Criminal Resource Manual, commonly known as the “bomb hoax” statute, provides civil and criminal penalties for conveying false information regarding attempts to destroy or damage aircraft, vehicles, or related facilities.

The criminal felony provision punishes reckless false information with up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Read Also: How to Stay Safe and Enjoy Your Cruise Vacation

This is not the first time the FBI has dealt with such a scare in the cruise industry. In a similar case, US District Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr. sentenced Linda Gayle Wilson to 12 months in federal prison for making a false bomb threat that led to a large-scale response.

In 2010, Wilson, of Baldwin, Florida, made multiple phone calls to the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office, claiming that a female terrorist was aboard the now-scrapped Carnival Fascination cruise ship with the intent to detonate a bomb before the vessel reached port.

At the time, the ship was returning from a Mother’s Day Caribbean cruise with 2,404 passengers and 896 crew members. 

Wilson’s false report triggered a coordinated effort by law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, US Coast Guard, and Customs and Border Protection, to search the ship for explosives.

No bombs were found, and Wilson was arrested in December 2011, pleading guilty in July 2012.

Cruise passengers encompass a broad spectrum of people of all shapes, sizes, and health statuses – with some needing more accommodations than others. 

However, when special medical exemptions aren’t requested in advance, cruisers might run into a situation where they can’t have what they need because it violates the cruise line’s policies. 

A current guest of Carnival Paradise learned this the hard way after she was forbidden from bringing pre-made protein shakes onboard – which she drinks as part of her recovery from a recent bariatric surgery. 

The common weight loss operation – which is known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) – reduces the size of the stomach significantly. In the initial period following the operation, patients typically have to stick to a liquid diet. 

Although this passenger’s predicament could have been avoided by doing extra research prior to embarkation day, she still took to Facebook to complain to Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald. 

“Does Carnival not care about the passengers who recently had bariatric surgery. Do you care John Heald. NO you do not,” the angry passenger wrote.

“I supplement my daily protein intake with pre-made bottles of Premier protein shakes. These were taken from me by the rude Carnival employee…Why am I a criminal and other passengers can bring on whatever they want that is illegal,” continued the complaint. 

The guest even went so far as to insult Heald and imply he would need weight loss surgery himself one day – but the brand ambassador still responded to the unidentified passenger with kindness and compassion. 

“I know the crew are doing their very best for you and I have asked my colleagues there to check in with you…Let me say of course I understand that after surgery like this that there will be challenges and so I promise to be here to listen and to help all I can,” said Heald, in part. 

He graciously informed the guest that she would have needed to request a medical exemption in advance from Carnival’s disability team, as the policy currently states protein shakes can only be brought onboard in sealed cartons or in powder form – not bottles.

Why Research Matters 

Even when sailing with a cruise line one is familiar with, it’s still important to do research prior to embarkation day – especially if something has changed in terms of health or other circumstances. 

The general consensus in the comments of Heald’s Facebook post – which received over 1,000 responses, was that the passenger didn’t do enough research in advance – which was her own fault and not the cruise line’s.

“It sounds like you were the problem and not Carnival. You didn’t research what you were supposed to do,” wrote one Facebook user, who also happened to be a Bariatric patient.

“People amaze me with the blame culture. Just because you didn’t plan correctly? Give me a break. The rules clearly state what is allowed. So next time get a medical exemption letter,” added someone else.

Read Also: What to Expect When You Go on a Carnival Cruise

The crew onboard Carnival’s ships are also more than willing to assist guests with their unique situations – and frequently adapt to accommodate all kinds of dietary needs and allergies. 

Depending on where this guest is in her recovery, there may be other dining options on board that would also work for her dietary restrictions. All she would need to do to find out is ask nicely. 

If guests do have a medical emergency while at sea, whether they are suffering from a new ailment or post surgery complications, all Carnival ships have a clinic onboard that functions like an urgent care on land.

The two smallest and oldest Carnival cruise ships, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise, must both remain out to sea and will be unable to return to their respective homeports because of the path, size, and strength of Hurricane Helene.

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests for each ship’s next sailing, alerting them that their cruises will not be able to operate as planned.

“The Port of Tampa will close tonight in anticipation of the storm, and it is now clear we will not be able to operate your cruise tomorrow, Thursday, September 26,” the message to Carnival Paradise guests read.

The exact same message was sent to booked guests for Carnival Elation, except that vessel is homeported from Jacksonville.

For both ships, Carnival Cruise Line will send out a further update by 1 p.m. on Thursday with new information about when the ships may return and the next cruise can begin, as well as potential compensation or other details.

Carnival Cruise Line has posted official updates on its website, noting all different homeport impacts and itinerary adjustments.

“Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami continues to actively monitor Hurricane Helene, which is now entering the Gulf of Mexico,” the website said as of 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. “The safety of our guests and crew remains our priority and our ships are sailing a safe distance from the storm.”

For both the homeports of Jacksonville and Tampa, the cruise line indicates that each ship is sailing safely away from Hurricane Helene.

“Once the storm passes and the port reopens, officials will be able to fully conduct a post-storm assessment before giving clearance to return,” updates for the current sailings read. “We are very tentatively anticipating sometime Friday, September 27, possibly later.”

Carnival Elation departed Jacksonville on Saturday, September 21 for a 5-night Bahamas itinerary, with visits to Nassau and Princess Cays.

Carnival Paradise departed Tampa on Saturday as well, but was unable to keep her planned 5-night Western Caribbean itinerary. The ship cancelled her Tuesday visit to Cozumel, but diverted to Costa Maya as an alternative instead.

Because both vessels will be at least a full day delayed in returning to their respective homeports, the next sailings will be unable to depart on Thursday, September 26 as originally planned.

Guests booked on those next cruises – a 4-night Bahamas trip for Carnival Elation and a 4-night Western Caribbean voyage for Carnival Paradise – are urged to sign up for text alerts to stay updated about plans for their cruises.

To be clear, Carnival Cruise Line does not control when homeports reopen and ships are permitted to return. Those operational decisions are made by port officials and the US Coast Guard after the storm has passed and safety inspections are complete.

Cruise Port Closures

Port Tampa Bay officially closed marine channels at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, as the US Coast Guard set Port Condition Zulu – gale force winds expected within 12 hours. While onshore operations will continue as long as safely possible, the port is now closed.

“The storm will have an impact to our cruise schedule. If you have any questions about a specific sailing, we recommend you contact your cruise line directly as all changes to itineraries will be communicated by your cruise line,” the weather update from the port read.

In addition to Carnival Cruise Line, ships from Margaritaville at Sea and Royal Caribbean both sail from Port Tampa Bay. Only Carnival Paradise is impacted on Thursday, September 26, however.

While the Port of Jacksonville remains open on Thursday evening, the US Coast Guard has already indicated that Port Condition Zulu will take effect at midnight and the port will be fully closed at that time. Only Carnival Elation sails from Jacksonville.

Read Also: Which Cruise Ships Are Affected by Hurricane Helene?

Hurricane Helene, currently a Category 1 storm but expected to strengthen, is moving generally north across the Gulf of Mexico, with landfall anticipated in the Big Bend or eastern panhandle area of Florida late on Thursday.

The storm’s wind field is extensive, with hurricane-force winds up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds as far as 345 miles from the center. This means many regions will see impacts from the storm, even though the eye may be hundreds of miles away.

At the moment, the center of the storm’s projected track takes it roughly 145 miles from Tampa with the closest approach early Thursday afternoon. Similarly, Helene’s center track is roughly 165 miles from Jacksonville at her closest, most likely very late on Thursday.