Authorities in Juneau, Alaska, launched a large-scale search for a missing cruise guest after 62-year-old Marites Buenafe failed to return to Norwegian Bliss on Tuesday 1st July 2025.
Sadly the search has now ended successfully, with Marites’ body found 1,700 feet below the ridge she had intended to hike.
Buenafe, a resident of Kentucky, was last seen disembarking the ship in the morning with plans to ride the local tram up Mount Roberts and continue hiking on foot.
She was travelling alone at the time, according to statements from her family.
Concern was raised around 2:50 pm local time when her relatives contacted the Juneau Police Department after realising she hadn’t returned before the ship’s 1:30 pm departure.
This prompted an immediate response from multiple emergency teams.
The operation was led by Alaska State Troopers, with support from Juneau Mountain Rescue, Southeast Alaska Dogs for Organized Ground Search, and the Juneau Police Department.
Crews used helicopters, drones equipped with thermal imaging, and ground teams to comb the mountainous terrain – continuing well into the night.
Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the situation at the time, saying: “An active search is ongoing, and we are providing assistance to local authorities as appropriate. Our CARE team is providing support to the guest’s family and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
Marites was found late on Thursday, 3rd July.
“Troopers and Juneau Mountain Rescue were able to recover her body with the assistance of Temsco Helicopters and the National Guard. Her next of kin have been notified, and her body will be sent to the state medical examiner’s office for autopsy,“
Statement from the Alaska Department of Public Safety
Norwegian Bliss Continues Voyage
The 168,028-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss is currently sailing a 7-night round-trip itinerary from Seattle that began on 28th June 2025.
Juneau was the ship’s second port of call, following Sitka. Despite the ongoing search, the cruise is continuing its schedule with planned stops at Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to Seattle on 5th July.
Buenafe was only four days into the voyage when she disappeared. As of now, no additional guests have been reported missing and the onboard experience is continuing as planned for other passengers.
Authorities believe she likely set off on the Mount Roberts Trail, a notoriously steep and rugged route known for uneven paths, mud, and quickly changing weather – all of which complicated the search.
Rare but Not Unprecedented
Cruise passenger disappearances are rare, especially in port.
Buenafe’s case marks just the second instance of a cruise guest going missing in 2025. Earlier this year in February, Tynisha Williams disappeared after leaving Radiance of the Seas while it was docked in Cozumel, Mexico.
In 2024, several other cases made headlines, including a 66-year-old guest with dementia missing from Icon of the Seas in Cozumel, and a 14-year-old boy who vanished while sailing aboard Caribbean Princess in northern Germany.
Fortunately, most missing persons cases end with the guest found safe.
However sadly, that was not the case here.
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Hi Jenni,
with regards to the article about the passenger refused boarding because of a special needs form not been accepted.
I wrote to you last year actually, with my husband and I having had the same problem.This was on, I think (sorry, not only am I elderly, but I fail to remember much these days!!) the P&O ship Ventura, sailing on a Mediterarranean cruise. unfortunately, after sending letter after letter, we were told that we were unable to receive any of the £7,800 we had paid for that cruise.
We have travelled with P&O since, as we love their cruises so much. Having said that, filling that form is now one of the first things that we do!!