How many people go missing on cruise ships? Since 2000, about 400 people, including passengers and crew, have gone missing from cruise ships. To put this in perspective, over 500 million individuals have taken cruises during this time.
One of the most troubling aspects of cruise ships is the mysterious disappearances that occur. The cruise ship environment can lead to isolation and stress, affecting an individual’s well-being.
Both crew and passengers sometimes vanish, leaving authorities to determine their whereabouts. Theories often include suicide or foul play. Port visits add complexity, and the vast layout of ships makes finding missing people difficult, leaving the outcome uncertain.
In this article, we discuss the frequency, causes, and notable cases of people going missing on cruise ships.
Every year, 19 people go missing from 300+ cruise ships, highlighting the importance of safety measures. On average, this means that one person disappears frequently. With millions of cruise ship passengers traveling across the oceans each year, the safety of people on board is a major concern.
People can go missing from cruise ships for numerous reasons. They might accidentally fall overboard, jump off intentionally, or disembark while the ship is in port. In very rare cases, individuals have been forcibly thrown off the ship.
What Occurs When Someone Goes Missing on a Cruise Ship?
When someone goes missing on a cruise ship, the Security Director is immediately notified. Crew members on board initiate search efforts throughout the ship to locate the missing person.
If someone goes missing on a cruise ship and can’t be found after searching, the ship will go back to where they were last seen. There are no police on the ship, but the crew will let local authorities know about the missing person
Famouse Incidents of Missing People on Cruise Ships
1: Hue Pham and Hue Tran
“In May 2005, a couple named Hue Pham and Hue Tran were part of a Carnival cruise from Aruba to Barbados. The couple, aged 70 and 65, respectively, were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and enjoying their trip along with their family, which included their son, daughter, and granddaughter.”
On the morning of the 12th of May 2005, the couple went missing, with only their shoes found on the deck, sparking concerns.
Some have speculated that the couple intentionally went overboard to end their lives, but their son refutes this, stating they were content and looking forward to a trip to Vietnam to reunite with family.
2: Annette Mizener
“In December 2004, during a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riviera, Annette Mizener, aged 37, mysteriously vanished. She had been enjoying her trip with her parents and daughter, participating in activities like Bingo and karaoke.”
On the night of her disappearance, Annette’s handbag was found near the casino and railings of the ship. It is believed that she somehow fell, jumped, or was pushed overboard.
The disappearance of Annette on the ship remains a mystery. Her bag, with beading supplies, was found on the deck, but nothing else at the scene indicated her whereabouts. Fearing foul play, her family pointed to blood spots near the deck and a possible struggle.
A man was seen on a surveillance camera near her location, but investigations by the crew led to nothing conclusive. Despite searching key spots on the ship and reviewing the footage, Annette’s fate remains unknown.
“A 16-hour search was launched for Annette Mizener, involving the U.S Coast Guard and their aircraft. The operation covered approximately 833 square miles of waters surrounding the ship. Despite the extensive efforts, Annette Mizener was not found, and her fate remains a mystery.”
3: Micki Kanesaki
“In May 2006, Micki Kanesaki, aged 52, was on a cruise in the Mediterranean near Italy when tragedy struck. Her body was discovered in the water, but an autopsy revealed that her lungs were filled with air, not water, indicating she did not drown.”
The circumstances surrounding her death led to a thorough investigation. Her ex-husband was also on the cruise, which raised suspicions. The exact details of how Micki ended up in the water remain unclear, leaving her death in May 2006 a subject of continued inquiry.
Fourteen years after Micki Kanesaki’s death, her ex-husband, California lawyer Lonnie Kocontes, was convicted of her murder. Initially, in 2006, his new wife testified in his defense, but in 2013, she revealed that Kocontes had killed Kanesaki to claim her million-dollar estate.
4: Fariba Amani
“In February 2012, Fariba Amani, a 47-year-old Canadian woman, boarded the Bahamas Celebration cruise with her boyfriend, Ramiz Golshani. The couple enjoyed their time on the ship, visiting the casino and the gift shop.”
However, during the cruise, Fariba Amani mysteriously vanished from her cabin. The crew of the ship conducted a thorough search, but she was nowhere to be found.
The disappearance of Fariba Amani remains a mystery. Last seen with her boyfriend, Golshani, on a cruise, the events leading to her vanishing are unclear.
Despite a thorough search, no evidence of foul play was found. Her sister continues to seek answers, questioning the relationship and circumstances surrounding Amani’s last moments.
5: Rebecca Coriam
On May 22, 2011, the Disney Wonder was sailing off the coast of Mexico. On this day, Rebecca Coriam, an employee aboard the cruise ship, went missing. This alarming event led to a search for her across the ship, where the last known sighting of her was captured on surveillance video.”
In the footage, someone asked her if she was okay, and it looks like she replied to say yes. Passengers and fellow employees recalled seeing Rebecca Coriam using one of the phones on the ship before she vanished.
There is a theory that something might have happened to Rebecca Coriam near the crew pool on the ship. Her family states that she would never willingly have gone overboard, but it’s not clear what really transpired. The ship’s crew and passengers have different theories about the accident, but the truth remains elusive.
6: Merrian Carver
“In August 2004, Merrian Carver embarked on a Royal Caribbean Cruise to Alaska. During the trip, crew members discovered she was missing from her cabin. Despite efforts, no one knew what happened.”
Her belongings were untouched, and passengers and crew members were puzzled. The ship made stops at various ports, but her fate remained unknown. Eventually, her belongings were donated to charity, leaving many people wondering about her mysterious disappearance during the cruise.
Carver went on a Royal Caribbean cruise where her mysterious disappearance occurred. Her family was deeply concerned and pushed for an investigation into the situation. They filed a missing person report with the police, but initial findings did not provide clear answers.
The report suggested various possibilities, including suicide, but her family remained unconvinced and continued to seek the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many People Go Missing On Cruise Ships Each Year?
Statistics show that roughly 200 people have been reported missing from cruise ships since the year 2000, averaging to about 10 per year. However, this number might not be accurate due to unreported cases and varying disclosure laws.
How Many People Die On Cruise Ships?
Cruise lines often avoid discussing deaths on their ships, but approximately 200 passengers die each year. Given that 31.5 million people, mostly around the age of 50, take cruises annually, this figure isn’t unexpected.
How Many People Have Gone Missing On Cruise Ships?
In the past twenty years, about 400 people have gone missing under unexplained circumstances during their cruise ship vacations.
How Many People Are Lost Overboard On Cruise Ships?
Annually, around 20 to 30 passengers and crew members go overboard from the millions who cruise. While there are occasional accidents involving crew members working on a cruise ship life boat or painting, most incidents can be categorized into three main types.