Cruise Bomb Hoax to Stop Girlfriend’s Vacation Ends in Prison Sentence

A Michigan man is headed to federal prison after making a bomb threat against a Carnival cruise ship because he was upset his girlfriend went on the trip without him.

On April 14, 2025, 19-year-old Joshua Lowe was sentenced to eight months in prison in Kalamazoo federal court for sending a false bomb threat targeting Carnival Sunrise.

His motivation? Jealousy and frustration after being left at home pet-sitting while his girlfriend vacationed with her family.

The threat, emailed in January 2024, prompted a full-scale emergency response from cruise staff and international law enforcement.

All 1,108 crew members were forced to enact security protocols and conduct a cabin-by-cabin search of the ship’s 1,492 rooms. The U.S. Coast Guard and Jamaican Marine Police also became involved in the high-alert situation.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten didn’t mince words: “Hoaxes can endanger lives, incur needless costs, and divert public safety resources… My office has zero tolerance for wrongdoers who intentionally convey false and misleading information.”

While Lowe could have faced up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine under federal law, his sentence was limited to under a year. Some critics believe he got off lightly, especially given the level of panic and disruption caused.

Still, Lowe showed remorse in court, writing to U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney, “This is all my fault and I take full responsibility.”

Unfortunately, false threats like this are not uncommon. Just last month, another bomb scare shut down parts of PortMiami for hours.

That incident also turned out to be a hoax, and while no arrests have been made, investigations are ongoing.

Authorities urge the public to report any suspicious behavior—but always with good intent. As Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler stated, “Anyone making a bomb threat should expect to be taken at his word.”