The identity of the passenger who died while sailing aboard a Carnival cruise ship over the weekend has been revealed.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) responded to a report about a deceased guest when Carnival Horizon returned to Miami, Florida, on Saturday, November 8.
Initially, few details were available about the incident, and the cruise line only confirmed that federal authorities had boarded the ship to investigate.
However, the passenger has since been identified as 18-year-old Anna Kepner of Titusville, Florida. According to Kepner's family, she was a bubbly, straight-A student with plans to graduate high school in May.
She had just taken the test to join the military and was talking to recruiters. According to her family, she wanted to devote her life to something that would help her community.
"When she walked into a room, she would light it up," her family told ABC News, "If you were sad, she’d make you laugh. She would joke around and be the funniest little person in school."
Continuing, her family added that she was a people person and loved being around people:
"She had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself. She was such an easy person to talk to."
She especially loved spending time with her friends and grandmother, who called her "Anna Banana." In fact, she traveled with her grandparents aboard Carnival Vista to celebrate her birthday earlier this year.
Kepner was also an athlete who began gymnastics at age 2, later joining her high school's varsity cheerleading team.
Outside of school and extracurriculars, her family shared that she loved being near the water and had obtained her license and scuba certification. Moreover, she volunteered in her grandparents’ 55+ neighborhood.
"She was the best child you could ever meet. We'll always remember her for who she was," her family said.
Kepner passed away on Carnival Horizon during a Western Caribbean cruise
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed Kepner's death but did not release any details about her passing.
Some online rumors speculate that it occurred on the last day of the 6-night voyage, when passengers recalled hearing about a medical emergency on Deck 8.
Afterward, a handful of guests were notified that they needed to vacate their staterooms earlier than usual on the day of disembarkation.
"Authorities will be joining the ship first thing upon arrival to complete an investigation and will be in the area of your hallway," the message read, "It could be noisy and disruptive, so we kindly ask that you be out of your stateroom by 7:00 am."
Some guests reported that part of the deck was blocked off when they boarded. Still, there wasn't a delay to Carnival Horizon's Nov. 8 sailing. The 8-night Southern Caribbean cruise departed on time and will return to Miami on the 16th.
Carnival Horizon is a Vista Class ship that measures 133,500 gross tons and can accommodate over 4,000 guests at maximum capacity.
"Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI," the FBI said in a statement.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. 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!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
