Cruise & Ferry
Netflix’s Amy Bradley doc has ‘pinned it on wrong man’ – ‘truth behind her disappearance from cruise ship’ 27 years ago
A NEW Netflix documentary about a woman who mysteriously vanished from a cruise ship 27 years ago points the finger at the wrong man, an expert has claimed.
Amy Lynn Bradley, then 23, vanished in March 1998 after boarding the Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas with her family.
On March 23, just three days into the trip, she went missing.
She was last seen on the balcony of the cabin she shared with her parents, Ron and Iva, and her younger brother, Brad, after partying at the ship’s nightclub.
There was no evidence that she jumped or fell from the high railing, but she was not seen again on the ship’s security cameras.
Despite this, her family still believes she could have left the room and been kidnapped and sex-trafficked.
Amy was captured on security footage dancing with a bass player who played at the club, Alister “Yellow” Douglas, earlier on in the night, who has always denied knowing what happened to her.
The Netflix documentary, Amy Bradley is Missing, featured alleged witnesses who claimed to have seen the recent college graduate with Douglas after the club closed, and on a beach after she was reported missing.
The sightings have never been confirmed, and although a lie detector test came back inconclusive, the FBI ruled Douglas out.
Many social media users claimed they were “sure” he played a part in Amy’s disappearance after seeing the three-part series.
Douglas’s daughter, Amica, also told filmmakers she is suspicious of her father’s story, having been bombarded with messages about the case, and called him to comment while being interviewed on camera.
He was unaware the phone call was being filmed and is not thought to have been approached for further comment.
YouTuber, journalist, and author James Renner recently took the same trip as Amy and went to meet Douglas, who is now an exorcist and reverend at a small church in Granada.
Douglas granted Renner a rare interview after years of trying to stay out of the spotlight.
In the filmed interview, Douglas claimed he never saw Amy after they danced together at the ship’s nightclub before she retired to her cabin to be with her family.
Renner is set to release a book, A Cruise to Nowhere, next summer about Amy’s case, having previously met with her family and investigators who spent years tirelessly trying to find her.
In an exclusive chat with The U.S. Sun, Renner said he feels desperately sorry for Douglas, whose life was turned upside down by the case, and believes he is innocent.
He feels the reverend may sue after the Netflix series heavily focused on him as a suspect who could have sex-trafficked Amy, and after the show set up the phone call with his daughter.
Renner told The U.S. Sun, “I think it was just like a week or two after that happened that I talked to him.
“When I talked to him, he said he was ready to take [legal] action if they made him look [bad].
“I certainly think he has a case. I would do it if I were him.”
Renner said he had not spoken with him since the release of the documentary, and The U.S. Sun has made several attempts to reach him for comment.
“I would imagine by now he has [watched it] or has somebody that’s told him what’s in it,” Renner continued. “He keeps up, he knows what’s going on.
‘SINCERE & CANDID’
“I think the documentary certainly did a disservice to the investigation and to what happened to Amy. Because you go online now, and people just assume that he’s guilty.”
The U.S. Sun spoke to filmmaker Ari Mark about Douglas being a suspect, to which he replied, “I feel awful for the Douglas family and what they’ve had to endure all these years.”
They did not comment further on how he was portrayed in the series.
Discussing his meet-up with Douglas, Renner said he has remarried and tried to make peace with the fact that his name is still linked to the case.
But he still gets upset when trolls attack him and his family online, and he has received death threats over the years, despite using another name on Facebook.
“I found him to be very sincere and candid,” Renner said.
“If he was involved, there was really no reason for him to grant me an interview. He had nothing to gain from it.
“But this is an event that he’s had to think about a lot. I think he was looking for an opportunity to tell his side of the story.
“He admits that, as an officer on the cruise ship, he definitely crossed the line with dancing close with Amy.
“But he says he didn’t have anything to do with what ultimately happened to her. And I believe him.
“He’s an active member in his community there. He doesn’t have any other history of violence.
“He has a beautiful wife and kid on the island, and they were at church with him and were involved there and seemed well-adjusted.”
Asked if the Bradleys had ever met with Douglas to hear his side of the story, Renner said, “I don’t believe he ever met with the family. I think, from what I understand, the last time they saw him was when he was coming out the first time he was questioned by the FBI on the cruise ship.”
Timeline of Amy Lynn Bradley’s last hours before her disappearance
March 23, 1998, evening Amy Lynn Bradley and her brother, Brad, attended a dance party at the ship’s disco, where they were seen with members of the ship’s band. The ship was sailing from Aruba to Curaçao.
March 24, 1998, 3:35 a.m. Brad Bradley returned to the family cabin, followed five minutes later by Amy, after a night of dancing and drinking. They sat on the balcony and talked before Brad went to sleep.
March 24, 1998, 5:15 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Amy’s father, Ron Bradley, woke up briefly and saw Amy asleep on a lounge chair on their cabin’s balcony. This is the last confirmed sighting of her by her family.
March 24, 1998, 5:30 a.m. to 5:45 a.m. Three witnesses later claimed to have seen Amy on an upper deck of the ship with Alister “Yellow” Douglas, a member of the ship’s band, and said he was seen leaving alone shortly after 6 a.m.
March 24, 1998, 6:00 a.m. When Ron Bradley woke up again, Amy was no longer on the balcony, but her shoes were still in the cabin, and her cigarettes and lighter were missing. He began to search the ship for her.
March 24, 1998, 6:30 a.m. The family reported Amy missing to the ship’s crew and asked that passengers be prevented from disembarking, but their request was denied. The ship had already docked in Curaçao.
March 24, 1998, 7:50 a.m. The ship made a public announcement for Amy to come to the purser’s desk, but by this time, many of the passengers had already disembarked. A full ship search was conducted later in the day, but no sign of Amy was found.
March 24-27, 1998 The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard conducted a four-day air and sea search for Amy around Curaçao and Aruba, but no trace of her was ever found. Authorities initially considered the possibility that she fell overboard, but this theory was later dismissed.
Renner said Douglas met again with the FBI just a few years ago, and they believed he had nothing to do with her disappearance.
An alleged witness featured in the Netflix show claimed to have seen Douglas going up to the club in an elevator with Amy before returning alone after the last time she was seen in her cabin.
Another claimed to have seen him walking along a beach with a woman matching her description and acting suspiciously, but neither has ever been backed up with real evidence.
Renner said, “You just look at the statistics on people who have been wrongfully convicted, and the majority of them were convicted based on witness testimony that was false.”
Douglas’ work as an exorcist in Granada has also raised eyebrows, with some critics claiming he’s doing “satanic rituals.”
Renner insists his work is a fairly normal practice on the island.
He explained, “It has a long history of what’s called Obeah, which is what we might think of as akin to voodoo or witchcraft.
“Obeah is technically outlawed on Grenada, but people still practice it all the time. And it’s such a tradition that people those beliefs.
“So, he’s essentially, through this church, working as an exorcist in the tradition of Obeah. It’s not that out of the ordinary for Grenada.
“It would be a little weird, you know, if he was doing that in like Ohio.”
LAST MEETING
In his interview with Renner for the YouTube channel, True Crime This Week, Douglas recalled playing until midnight with the band, after which he began talking to Amy, the night she vanished.
He claims the pair talked about music, and she later met him at the lounge at the top of the ship, where he grew uncomfortable with her chain-smoking.
She allegedly told him it was because her father found out she was gay, a claim backed up in the documentary, which also featured interviews with past girlfriends.
Douglas admitted he didn’t know how to respond as he’s a religious man, but took pity on her and suggested they dance to a few songs before he had to leave at 12.55 am.
“I said, ‘Look, I have to go, I have to be out of [the] passenger area’, and I left,” he claimed. “That was my last conversation [with her], last time I saw her.
“The person I am, I like to console people, I like to talk with people. There was not enough time, maybe the following day, if I had seen her, I would have.”
He further claimed he had a key card for his cabin that recorded what time he arrived back at his room.
The ship’s security allegedly called him the following morning and quizzed him on whether he had a woman in his room, explaining Amy was missing.
He claims he was told not to leave his cabin, where other musicians were also sleeping.
He insisted he hadn’t seen her since their chat, and it was forbidden to have passengers in his room or to be outside past 1 am.
Douglas said he was questioned for hours by authorities, but later cleared, insisting he wasn’t worried but was nervous to have his name “mixed up” in something he didn’t know about.
Tearing up, he admitted, “I’ve lost so many opportunities because of this,” explaining that people Google his name and believe he had something to do with Amy going missing.
“My inbox, my Facebook, people have been writing me horrible stuff for years.”
Speaking about the phone call with his daughter, he said, “I said, ‘Amica, listen, if you want, you can let people know that I’m not your father because I can’t explain this.’
“I said, ‘The truth will come out, and when the truth come out I will sue the people who have been making documentaries about me’.
“For now, it’s just in the hands of those investigating. Somebody knows something, and somebody will speak at some point.”
Cruise & Ferry
Agent Claims Disney Wonder Won’t Be Returning As The Ship Is Removed From Sydney’s Cruise Schedule
- The cruise community has been filled with speculation that Disney Wonder won’t be returning to Australia for the 2026/27 season.
- While the hope is that a different ship will arrive in its place, it appears more likely that Disney will cease homeporting a ship out of Australia.
- Despite all the rumours, Disney is yet to comment.
As rumours continue swirling about the future of Disney Cruises in Australia, the evidence keeps stacking up. Disney’ Wonder’s previously scheduled visits have now been removed from the Sydney cruise schedule for the 2026/27, having already been wiped from Melbourne’s.
With continuing speculation and various outlets reporting on the latest developments, it begs the question, why isn’t Disney saying anything?
The beginning of the 2026/27 season would be only just over a year away, but there’s been nothing but radio silence from Disney.
While the cruise line doesn’t have any cruises already officially scheduled beyond September 2026, Aussies deserve the time to plan their holiday ahead of time, and know if they’re going to need to book a Singapore trip if they want to get onto a Disney ship.
While remaining tight-lipped made sense for Disney when the speculation mostly consisted of rumours over low sales, with Disney Wonder now being wiped off of cruise schedules, confused cruisers deserve to know what’s going to happen.
If this does turn out to be the last season for Disney in Australia, there are surely many Aussies who will bite the bullet and book a cruise for this season, and those cruisers also deserve time to be able to plan and budget for their holiday.
It’s time for Disney to provide some clarity to Australian families and to the cruise industry as well.
Beyond the removal from the cruise schedules, the rumours are becoming more and more substantial.
‘JaM Life Adventures’ are not only travel agents John and Maria that sell Disney cruises to Aussies, but also play a big role in Disney’s Australian cruise community, running the Facebook group ‘Disney cruising Australia’ which has around 25,000 members.
The couple confirmed to their Facebook group with a heavy heart that Disney had officially told them that Wonder would not be returning.
They wrote: “Today Maria rang Disney Cruise Line and identified herself as a Travel Agent as she does most days, to book people’s vacations.
“She then said that she has several clients asking to book Disney Wonder for season 26/27 when it will be announced. Now in the past, we were told as recently as yesterday, “We have no information on this” and that was that, but today was different. The words used by a Disney Cruise Line Employee to a Travel Agent were “We can confirm, that Disney Wonder will not be returning for a 26/27 season.”
This of course doesn’t completely close the door on a different ship coming instead, even if it might not feel particularly likely right now. A new ship would be the best-case scenario, but here’s a summary of what could be to come.
Cruise Passenger has contacted Disney Cruises for a comment, but is yet to receive a response.
What are the possible scenarios
- Disney confirms it won’t be returning to Australia. This would not just be a blow for Aussie families that enjoy Disney cruises or hope to get on one some day, but also for the Australian cruise industry, which has already lost 35% of its capacity over recent years. It would also mark the second unsuccessful stint for a new cruise line in Australia in recent years, after Virgin Voyages. This could prove to be a deterrent for other cruise lines that could be considering Australian operations.
- 2. Disney Wonder returns after all. While Wonder disappearing from all the major cruise schedules appears to be a pretty clear signal that it isn’t coming back, nothing has been confirmed and it is possible that the ship will come back. If it does, Disney will surely be feeling the pressure and with its already limited sales would be tested. Not only would it be another of year of the same ship, but due to the fact the season is already a little over a year away and that Wonder would now be competing for the attention of Aussie’s with Disney Adventure in Singapore, it’d definitely be a test for the cruise line.
- 3. Disney brings a new ship
Another possibility is that Disney could be looking to bring a new ship to the region, such as Disney Magic. This would be an exciting moment for cruisers and the industry and could help reinvigorate Disney’s presence in Australia. Cruise agents have previously signalled to Cruise Passenger that many cruisers view Disney as a ‘one-off’ type of holiday, but the arrival of a new ship with new activities could sway some to get back onboard.
In the early hours of August 2, 2025, the Celebrity Constellation, a 2,170-passenger vessel operated by Celebrity Cruises, encountered a sudden and complete power failure while navigating the Ionian Sea off the southern Italian coast. The ship, en route from Ravenna to Brindisi as part of a Mediterranean itinerary, was left adrift for nearly three hours, plunging thousands of vacationers into darkness and disrupting essential onboard systems. Passengers reported a eerie silence as lights, air conditioning, and even elevators ceased functioning, turning what was meant to be a luxurious escape into a tense ordeal.
According to initial reports, the blackout stemmed from a technical malfunction in the ship’s electrical systems, though Celebrity Cruises has yet to release a full root-cause analysis. The vessel, built in 2002 and part of Royal Caribbean Group’s fleet, relies on diesel-electric propulsion, making it vulnerable to such failures if backup generators fail to engage promptly. Crew members worked frantically to restore power, eventually succeeding around 4 a.m. local time, but not before the ship had drifted aimlessly, raising concerns about navigation and safety protocols.
The Human Toll of a High-Seas Blackout
Eyewitness accounts paint a vivid picture of discomfort and anxiety. Guests, many roused from sleep by the abrupt halt, endured sweltering cabins without ventilation, limited access to restrooms due to non-functional plumbing, and cold meals served in dimly lit dining areas. One passenger, speaking anonymously to TravelPulse, described the scene as “chaotic yet controlled,” with crew distributing flashlights and bottled water to mitigate panic. Social media posts on X echoed these sentiments, with users sharing real-time updates about the “eerie drift” and praising the staff’s composure amid the uncertainty.
The incident affected over 3,000 people, including families and elderly travelers, some of whom expressed frustration over the lack of immediate communication from the bridge. As detailed in a report from USA Today, the power loss also impacted the ship’s stabilizers, leading to noticeable rolling in moderate seas, which exacerbated discomfort for those prone to motion sickness. No injuries were reported, but the event has sparked discussions about passenger rights and compensation in the cruise industry.
Technical Breakdown and Industry Precedents
Industry experts point to potential issues with the ship’s aging infrastructure as a contributing factor. The Constellation, at 23 years old, underwent a major refurbishment in 2017, but electrical systems remain a common weak point in older vessels, as noted in analyses from maritime consultants. A similar blackout plagued the Carnival Triumph in 2013, stranding passengers for days in the Gulf of Mexico and leading to lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny. In this case, Celebrity Cruises confirmed via a statement that the failure was isolated and that all safety measures, including emergency lighting and manual navigation, were activated promptly.
Drawing from web searches and recent news, including updates from Cruise Radio, the outage delayed the ship’s arrival in Brindisi by several hours, forcing itinerary adjustments and complimentary excursions for affected guests. X posts from passengers highlighted mixed reactions, with some lauding the crew’s heroism while others criticized the company’s preparedness, reflecting broader online sentiment about cruise reliability in an era of increasing operational demands.
Corporate Response and Regulatory Ripples
Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group, responded swiftly by offering onboard credits equivalent to one day’s cruise fare and apologies from the captain. As reported in Fox Business, the company emphasized that the incident was resolved without compromising safety, and an internal investigation is underway. This aligns with International Maritime Organization guidelines, which mandate redundant power systems on passenger ships, yet incidents like this underscore gaps in enforcement, particularly for vessels operating in busy European waters.
For cruise industry insiders, the event raises questions about preventive maintenance and the integration of modern technologies like AI-driven diagnostics to avert failures. Comparisons to the 2023 power issues on Norwegian Cruise Line ships suggest a pattern, prompting calls for stricter audits by bodies like the Cruise Lines International Association. Analysts predict minimal long-term impact on bookings, given the sector’s post-pandemic rebound, but it could accelerate investments in hybrid-electric propulsion to enhance resilience.
Looking Ahead: Lessons for Luxury Cruising
As the Constellation continues its voyage, now safely docked and resuming normal operations, the blackout serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in even the most opulent seafaring experiences. Passengers have taken to platforms like X to share stories, with viral posts amplifying demands for transparency. Industry veterans argue that while such events are rare—occurring in less than 1% of voyages—they highlight the need for robust contingency planning, especially as cruise lines push for larger, more complex ships.
Ultimately, this incident may catalyze improvements, from enhanced crew training to upgraded backup systems, ensuring that future sailings prioritize reliability alongside luxury. With ongoing probes and potential class-action considerations, as explored in Cruise Ship Lawyers Blog, the fallout could reshape standards, benefiting an industry that transports millions annually across global waters.
The MSC Opera is tended at dock in Venice, Italy, in 2009. MSC has canceled several cruises as its ship the MSC Meraviglia moves from New York to Miami. File Photo by Andrea Merola/EPA
Aug. 6 (UPI) — A major cruise line has canceled five months of cruises while it moves a ship from New York to Miami.
The MSC Maraviglia’s move will cause canceled cruises for next year’s season that were already open for booking. The company scrapped sailings between Nov. 8, 2026, and April 11, 2027.
The ship has been based at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal since spring of 2023. In April, it will travel to Europe, then move to Miami for the winter season, according to Travel Weekly.
The reason for the change is demand, the cruise line said in a statement.
“In response to the demand we are seeing, this will mark the first season with four ships homeporting in Miami, as MSC Meraviglia joins MSC World America, MSC Poesia, and MSC Seaside. All four ships will sail from our new, state-of-the-art MSC Cruise Terminal at PortMiami, offering an exciting mix of newly introduced sailings and guest-favorite itineraries to the Caribbean and The Bahamas.”
The ship will sail six- and-eight-night cruises with stops in Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and more, the company said.
Affected guests were given options, including rebooking on one of Meraviglia’s new cruises, or any seven-night sailing from Miami, Port Canaveral or Galveston, Texas, or opting for a credit or refund.
MSC Cruises has promised new itineraries to Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos, Philipsburg in St. Maarten, Basseterre in St. Kitts, and other Caribbean destinations.
On social media, some passengers expressed frustration about the compensation, noting the onboard credits offered aren’t as “generous” as other cruise lines that cancel trips, Cruise Hive reported.
Cruise lines cancel trips somewhat regularly, usually for ship repairs or issues in the region. Last year, MSC and Silver Moon had to cancel trips to Egypt, Jordan and Israel due to the Israel-Hamas war.
In 2019, MSC said it plans to be the first carbon-neutral cruise line in the world.
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