Teen Sentenced for Bomb Hoax That Diverted Cruise Ship

A Michigan teenager has been sentenced to eight months in prison for causing a bomb scare aboard the Carnival Sunrise, which forced the ship to alter its route mid-cruise and prompted an extensive security response.

The event unfolded in 2024, shortly after the ship departed from PortMiami. Authorities traced an alarming email—“Hey, I think someone might have a bomb on your Sunrise cruise ship”—to 19-year-old Joshua Darrell Lowe. According to investigators, he was upset about being left behind to pet-sit while his girlfriend’s family went on the cruise.

As a result of the hoax, Carnival Sunrise was rerouted to Jamaica, where authorities carried out a detailed search of over 1,000 cabins and common areas. No explosives were found, but the incident caused major delays and financial losses for the cruise operator.

“Lowe admitted he sent the message because he was upset that the family went on the cruise, while leaving him behind to care for their pets,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said.

Lowe pleaded guilty in January to making false threats—a serious federal charge that carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney sentenced him to eight months behind bars, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay a $1,200 fine.

In court filings, Kessler emphasized the seriousness of the offense: “The hoax resulted in substantial disruption, including inconvenience to the passengers and potential lost revenue to the cruise line.”

In a letter submitted to the court, Lowe expressed regret over his actions and described how the incident led him to reflect deeply: “I send my sincere apologies for all I put everyone through.”