Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Carnival-Horizon

On March 10, 2023, Timothy Hudson, a teenager from Titusville, Florida, was indicted as an adult on serious federal charges, including murder and sexual abuse, related to the tragic death of his 16-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner. This incident occurred aboard the 'Carnival Horizon' on November 6, 2022. According to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death was ruled a homicide resulting from strangulation. Initially facing charges as a juvenile, Hudson's case was escalated to adult court by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom on April 10, 2023. Court documents indicate that during a family cruise to Miami in early November 2022, Hudson allegedly sexually assaulted and suffocated Kepner while the ship was navigating international waters. The tragic circumstances around Kepner's death were identified as mechanical asphyxia, indicating that an external force impeded her ability to breathe. Following the investigation led by the FBI, Hudson was removed from his mother’s home in Titusville and placed with relatives to mitigate potential risks to other children in the household. This decision was presented during a recent custody hearing, where his mother expressed concerns for the safety of other minors. Facing severe penalties, Hudson could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted on the murder and sexual abuse charges, as outlined by the U.S. Attorney's Office. He was initially charged on February 2, 2023, and promptly pleaded not guilty the following day in Miami. A judge mandated that Hudson wear an electronic monitoring device while residing with an uncle; however, this order was temporarily modified to allow him to spend time at a landscaping business with his father last week. Prosecutors raised objections to Hudson's supervised release, emphasizing the risks he posed and requested the court to reassess his bail status now that he has been indicted as an adult. Defense attorneys are expected to respond within a week. This case is being pursued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, with the FBI's Miami Field Office spearheading the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra L. López is designated to prosecute the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Carnival Horizon encountered a mechanical issue with its propulsion system, resulting in a delay of its scheduled return to Miami on April 5. This setback significantly affected the disembarkation process for thousands of passengers heading to the USA and Caribbean, as embarkation slots had to be adjusted accordingly. The vessel, which had to limit its cruising speed due to the propulsion challenge, extended its transit time into South Florida, arriving at Port Miami later than anticipated. This delay was particularly impactful given the high traffic at the port, where several large cruise ships are frequently in operation and rely on precise scheduling. Although the ship maintained essential onboard services, the inability to sail at full speed led to complications in both the disembarkation of arriving guests and the turnaround operations for new passengers. Travellers who had booked the cruise were informed about the delayed debarkation process, which commenced later than the usual morning timeline. As a result, the port faced a compressed window for clearing the ship and processing luggage before the arrival of new passengers. To manage the situation, Carnival adjusted terminal arrival appointments for the next sailing. This alteration pushed check-in windows back by approximately two hours to accommodate the delayed arrival and the extended clearing procedures. In an effort to minimize congestive issues at the terminal, the cruise line advised passengers who were originally scheduled for midday boarding to shift their arrival plans to the later afternoon. This recalibration necessitated alterations in transportation arrangements, including airport transfers and pre-cruise activities. Carnival also urged guests to keep an eye on their emails and mobile notifications for any updates on embarkation logistics as the situation developed. Despite the challenges, the Carnival Horizon's same-day departure was still on track, thanks to expedited turnaround operations that began promptly after disembarkation and cleaning processes commenced.

The stepbrother of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old from Titusville, tragically found dead aboard the 'Carnival Horizon,' attended a federal court hearing in Miami on February 6, 2026. This appearance comes as investigators work diligently to uncover the details surrounding her untimely death. Anna was discovered lifeless in her cabin on November 7, 2025, around 11:15 a.m., while on a family vacation. The response from authorities has been swift, as they have classified her death as a homicide resulting from 'mechanical asphyxiation.' Disturbingly, Anna was located beneath a bed, wrapped in a blanket, and surrounded by life jackets, raising serious questions about the circumstances that led to her passing. The cabin where this incident took place was shared with her stepbrother, which has added another layer to the investigation. The 16-year-old stepbrother was spotted leaving juvenile court prior to his entry into the adult federal courthouse, amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding his involvement. Although the FBI has yet to publicly name any suspects or file charges, court documents related to a family court matter have suggested that he is being looked at in connection to Anna's death. Given that the incident occurred in international waters, the FBI has taken the lead on this case as the cruise ship returned to Miami after a weeklong journey through the Caribbean. As the investigation continues, the family and community are left seeking answers for this heartbreaking loss.

The FBI's Miami office has commenced an investigation into the tragic death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, while she was on board the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. Authorities are presently gathering evidence at the Miami port as part of their inquiry. Carnival Cruise Line is fully cooperating with federal investigators and has expressed a commitment to supporting the grieving family during this difficult time. The Carnival Horizon returned to Miami as planned on November 8, 2025, where an ambulance transported her body after it was discovered in a heart-wrenching scene. Anna, an enthusiastic supporter of the Georgia Bulldogs, was reportedly found wrapped in a blanket and concealed under a bed. Details surrounding the circumstances of her tragic passing remain unclear, including how long she had been there and the cause of her death. Miami-Dade officials have confirmed that her date of death was November 7. Given that her demise occurred in international waters, the FBI has taken the lead on the investigation, although they have yet to confirm whether a homicide investigation has been initiated. On the evening of November 6, Anna had expressed feeling unwell during dinner. The following morning, her father, Christopher Kepner, 41, and stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, 36, gathered with family for breakfast, only to find that Anna was missing. They quickly began searching for her, which sadly ended when a maid discovered her body around 11 a.m. while servicing the cabin, hidden beneath life jackets. For updates, check out the reports with photos available at: https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/fbi-investigating-passengers-death-aboard-carnival-horizon-cruise-ship-that-returned-to-portmiami/ and https://www.thesun.ie/news/16121432/body-anna-kepner-dead-carnival-cruise-grim-location-fbi/

The Carnival Horizon encountered a propulsion issue that led to a decrease in cruising speed, causing a delay in its return to Miami on November 16, 2025. This unforeseen situation has affected the embarkation schedule for subsequent voyages. The vessel was completing an 8-night Southern Caribbean 'ABC' itinerary, which commenced from Miami on November 8. In response to the delay, Carnival Cruise Line has been proactive in communicating with guests scheduled for the next cruise, set to depart on November 16 for a 6-night Western Caribbean excursion that includes stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios. Repair efforts are underway, with both shipboard and shoreside engineers already addressing the issue to restore the Carnival Horizon's performance. Fortunately, all onboard facilities and services remain fully operational, ensuring that the safety and navigational integrity of the vessel are intact, while dining, accommodation, and entertainment continue to proceed seamlessly as planned.

Authorities are currently investigating the case of Jessica Collins, a 47-year-old American cruise passenger who went missing during an eight-day voyage aboard the Carnival Horizon. Collins was last seen on September 17, 2025, when the ship made a scheduled stop in Bonaire, part of its southern Caribbean itinerary. She failed to return after the vessel set sail that evening, leaving personal items and some luggage behind. However, she did take all her identification with her. Local law enforcement is collaborating with the Public Entity of Bonaire, the Port Authority, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, and Carnival Cruise Line Security. They are also in direct communication with Carnival Corporation and U.S. authorities to explore leads in the case. Surveillance footage captured Collins as she disembarked from the cruise ship, sporting a Hawaiian-style T-shirt and denim shorts, with a grey backpack slung over her shoulder. A spokesperson for Carnival indicated that it appears Collins has chosen to disappear voluntarily: "This guest seems to have taken deliberate actions to be alone and on her own." No details have emerged regarding her possible whereabouts or her motivations for leaving the cruise. Despite efforts from the ship's crew to reach out to Collins, she informed them via text that she was "safe" and did not wish to be found or contacted further. Interestingly, she left all her belongings in her backpack and provided a cash gratuity to the stateroom attendant, accompanied by a thank-you note. A report with images is available here: https://www.the-sun.com/news/15238044/jessica-collins-carnival-horizon-cruise-missing/