There is an urgent search underway for a passenger traveling aboard a Norwegian cruise ship in Alaska who has gone missing.
Local news outlets reported that Marites Buenafe, 62, of Kentucky, was last seen around 7:30am on Tuesday, July 1, as she disembarked Norwegian Bliss in Juneau.
Buenafe told her family that she planned to hike Gold Ridge and Gastineau Peak, beginning at the top of the Goldbelt Tramway.
However, she missed the ship's 1:30pm departure, prompting a coordinated search effort led by Alaska State Troopers, with assistance from the Juneau Police Department, Juneau Mountain Rescue, and SEADOGS (Southeast Alaska Dogs for Organized Ground Search).
Ground and aerial searches were conducted on Tuesday night using helicopters and thermal drones to scan the rugged terrain around Mount Roberts and Gold Ridge, but no sign of Buenafe was found. Bad weather limited responders from aerial searches on Wednesday.
Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel said they're throwing a lot of resources at the ongoing search.
"We’re usually very successful at these types of search and rescues, so we’re hoping that we’re going to be able to find Marites today and get her back on track for her Alaska vacation," he said.
He added that although the search will continue through Wednesday, responders will assess further action at the end of the day if she isn't located.
Buenafe is described as 5 feet and 1 inch tall with short black hair and brown eyes. The Juneau Police Department is advising anyone with information regarding Buenafe's whereabouts to contact the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 262-4453. The reference number for the case is AK25063914.
Buenafe's sister posted on Facebook asking for help
In addition to contacting the local police department, Buenafe's sister, Melody, shared a public plea for help on social media.
"My mom, sister, Marites (Tess) Buenafe, and I are on an Alaskan cruise. Early this morning, in Juneau, Alaska, my sister rode the Goldbelt tram to the top of Mt. Roberts. She texted me at 735 am that she was going to hike the Gold Ridge trail or the Gastineau Peak trail," Melody wrote.
"[The] last we heard from her was the 735 am text. She knew the return to ship time was 1 pm. No answers to our numerous texts and phone calls. The local police [have] been contacted. Ground search crew and helicopter search crew made a search until too dangerous due to weather and darkness. US Coast Guard helicopter doing a short search tonight."
Melody apparently tried to disembark the ship before it set sail. However, the crew wouldn't let her. As such, Melody and her mother disembarked the vessel, presumably in Icy Strait Point, and arrived back in Juneau on Tuesday, July 3.
In the comments of her post, Melody mentioned that the local police attempted to ping her cell phone but received no response; there's no cellular service at the top of the mountain.
Additionally, the photos shared by Melody reveal that Buenafe was wearing a patterned bandana, glasses, a lanyard, and dark clothing. She also had a 30oz. light blue water bottle.
"Canine, ground, helicopter, and drone watches continued today as weather permitted. My mom and I arrived in Juneau this afternoon. Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers and positive thoughts," she later added.
Norwegian Bliss is currently on a weeklong cruise to Alaska
The 167,800 gross registered ton vessel departed from Seattle, Washington, on Saturday, June 28. The first port of call was Sitka, followed by a scenic day of cruising in the Tracy Arm Fjord and Juneau on July 1.
No changes have been made to the ship’s itinerary as the search for the missing passenger continues. Cruise Mapper shows that Norwegian Bliss docked in Icy Strait Point as planned on July 2 and in Ketchikan on July 3.
The final remaining port of call is Victoria, British Columbia.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
