She Texted ‘Don’t Find Me.’ What Carnival Had to Do Next

A 47-year-old U.S. passenger left Carnival Horizon in Bonaire on September 17 and later texted crew that she was safe and “did not want to be found,” according to People on September 23. The case is unusual—and it spotlights what cruise lines must do when an adult says they don’t want help.

What we know about the Bonaire disappearance

People reports that the passenger, identified as Jessica Collins, disembarked during a port call in Bonaire and did not reboard the ship by departure time. Carnival says Collins subsequently messaged ship staff indicating she was safe and did not wish to be located. Local authorities in Bonaire have opened an investigation and appealed for public tips.

It’s a striking wrinkle: most “missing cruise passenger” headlines conjure searches at sea. Here, the facts point onshore. That changes the playbook. There’s no man-overboard alarm or Coast Guard search grid. Instead, it’s a port-state matter—local police, immigration, and, for U.S. citizens, potential consular assistance.

How cruise lines respond when adults opt out

Duty of care vs. adult choice: A cruise line has a duty to act when a guest is unaccounted for at sail-away. But when the person later confirms they are safe and is an adult, the situation shifts from “search and rescue” to “welfare and whereabouts.” Adults generally can choose not to share their location, barring signs of danger or legal issues.
Notify authorities: In practice, ships coordinate with the port agent and local police when a guest doesn’t return. If the guest is a U.S. citizen abroad, the U.S. State Department notes that consular officers can assist local authorities with welfare checks and help families navigate next steps (travel.state.gov guidance).
Document and stand down: If authorities are informed and there’s a message from the person saying they’re safe, cruise lines typically document the contact and step back unless police or family present new concerns.

According to Carnival’s published policies, guests must comply with local laws and ship requirements; disembarkation mid-cruise is allowed but should be coordinated with Guest Services so immigration, luggage, and billing are handled properly. Skipping that coordination can turn a voluntary early departure into a missing-person alert—and a lot of stress for everyone.

The snapshot

Date: September 17, 2025
Ship: Carnival Horizon
Port: Kralendijk, Bonaire (Caribbean Netherlands)
Passenger: Jessica Collins, 47, U.S. citizen
Status as of September 23, 2025: Local authorities investigating; Carnival says passenger texted she was safe and did not want to be found (via People)

A quick timeline

Morning/Afternoon, September 17: Carnival Horizon calls at Bonaire; passengers go ashore.
Late afternoon: Collins does not return by all-aboard.
Evening: Ship notifies local authorities; passenger later texts crew she is safe and does not wish to be found, per People.
September 23: Authorities in Bonaire continue inquiries and request tips; case remains ashore, not at sea.

What this means if you ever need to leave a cruise mid-trip

According to the U.S. State Department, adults abroad can choose privacy; authorities typically need a safety concern or a request from the individual (or legal authority) to share more. On a cruise, the cleanest exit is a formal one:

Talk to Guest Services before leaving. They’ll coordinate with the port agent so immigration and local rules are followed, settle your onboard account, and help with luggage if possible.
Carry your passport, a credit card, and a phone with roaming or local eSIM. Without those, the logistics ashore get harder—especially on smaller islands after the ship sails.
Share a “I’m safe” message with someone. If you don’t want to be found, you can still proactively end the missing-person loop by telling the ship (or local police) you’re not in danger.
Know what you’re giving up. Leaving mid-itinerary may void remaining cruise nights. Travel insurance rarely refunds voluntary departures unless tied to a covered reason.

Safety, privacy, and the gray areas

There are credible counterpoints. Families may argue that a single text isn’t proof of safety. Police may ask for a welfare check if there’s context—recent distress, medical needs, or potential coercion. And fraud risk exists: bad actors could send messages from someone else’s device. That’s why authorities hold discretion to keep looking even after a “don’t find me” text, especially if facts conflict.

But the default in most jurisdictions is that adults can choose not to engage. Cruise lines aren’t police. Once they’ve alerted authorities and documented contact, continuing a private search can cross ethical lines and create liability. In other words: the system is designed to prevent harm, not to overrule autonomy.

Practical takeaways for cruisers

Coordinate early if you plan to leave the voyage in port.
Keep essential documents and a backup payment method on your person when going ashore.
If plans change, send a clear message to the ship or local police to avoid an unnecessary missing-person alert.
Consider trip insurance that includes trip interruption and emergency assistance.

Pros and cons of a “don’t find me” message

Pros:

Respects adult autonomy and privacy.
Allows authorities to prioritize genuine emergencies.

Cons:

Can leave families without closure.
Risks miscommunication or spoofing without independent verification.

Bottom line

According to People, Collins told the ship she didn’t want to be located; authorities in Bonaire are now the lead. The case underscores a simple truth about cruising: once you step off the gangway, you’re under local law—and when you’re an adult who says you’re safe, the system tends to defer to you.

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Summary

A U.S. passenger left Carnival Horizon in Bonaire on September 17 and texted crew she was safe and didn’t want to be found, per People.
Local police are investigating ashore; this is not an overboard search.
In such cases, cruise lines notify authorities, document contact, and defer to adult autonomy absent safety concerns.
If you must leave mid-cruise, coordinate with the ship to avoid a missing-person alert and logistical headaches.