On July 16, 2025, Netflix dropped a haunting new true crime series: Amy Bradley Is Missing. Over three episodes, it revisits the baffling 1998 disappearance of 23-year-old Amy Lynn Bradley, who vanished without a trace while sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.
As a frequent cruiser, it’s jarring to be reminded that for one family, a cruise turned into a lifelong nightmare.
The Morning Amy Vanished
It was the final morning of the cruise. Amy had been out enjoying the ship’s nightclub the night before, seen dancing with a crew member. By 5:30 am, her dad spotted her sleeping on the balcony of their stateroom. By 6:00 am, she was gone.
No signs of a struggle. No splash heard. Her shoes were left behind. The ship was docking in Curaçao, and disembarkation had already begun.
The family begged the crew to delay passengers getting off the ship. They were told Amy had probably just gone ashore early. It took hours before a ship-wide announcement was made – and by then, it may have been too late.
Despite a multi-day search, FBI involvement, and alleged sightings over the years, Amy Bradley has never been found.
Inside the Netflix Series
The documentary brings in interviews with Amy’s parents, her brother Brad, cruise passengers, crew, and investigators. It reconstructs the final hours before her disappearance and dives into the major theories:
- Accidental fall (though unlikely given no evidence)
- Suicide (dismissed by her family and those who knew her)
- Foul play or trafficking, possibly involving crew or passengers
What makes this story especially eerie is the string of reported sightings – in Curaçao, a brothel, even a Navy base. One man claimed a woman whispered to him, “My name is Amy Bradley and I need help.” Others believe she may have been seen in adult content online, though those leads remain disputed.
A Family Still Fighting
What’s most powerful about the series isn’t the speculation – it’s the raw emotion. Brad Bradley, Amy’s brother, appears throughout the documentary, pushing back against cruel internet theories and demanding answers from Royal Caribbean, who’ve never publicly accepted responsibility.
He also calls out the cruise director at the time, who allegedly dismissed their concerns with a casual, “Life goes on. Cruises go on.” FFS.
Can you imagine hearing that, with your daughter missing?
Amy Bradley Cruise Ship Disappearance Conspiracy Theories
1. Human Trafficking
Amy was allegedly spotted multiple times in the Caribbean after her disappearance, including in a brothel. Some believe she was abducted and sold into sexual slavery.
2. Crew Member Involvement
Amy was last seen with a crew member. Some suspect the ship’s staff may have played a role, especially given the lack of investigation early on.
3. Voluntary Disappearance
A fringe theory suggests she left the ship intentionally to start a new life. Her family strongly disputes this.
4. Accidental Fall Overboard
Royal Caribbean initially suggested Amy may have fallen overboard, but no evidence supports this — and Amy was a strong swimmer.
5. Murder and Cover-Up
Some speculate she was killed onboard and her death was covered up to avoid bad press or liability.
6. Misidentification / Mistaken Identity in Sightings
Some argue that the reported sightings – especially the photo from an adult website – may have simply been cases of mistaken identity. This theory suggests the family was being given false hope by unreliable leads, unintentionally prolonging the case.
7. Internal Cruise Ship Trafficking Network
A darker variation of the trafficking theory speculates there could have been an organized network operating within the cruise industry, possibly involving corrupt staff who scouted or groomed passengers to be abducted in port.
🧠 This theory stems from the idea that cruise ships operate under minimal regulation in international waters and can be exploited by bad actors.
8. FBI or Government Withheld Evidence
Some conspiracy theorists believe that U.S. authorities have more information than they’ve released, possibly withholding evidence either to avoid diplomatic complications or because of jurisdictional red tape.
🧠 There’s no concrete evidence for this, but frustration over a lack of resolution fuels the belief.
9. Amy Was Forced to Work Abroad
A lesser-known theory suggests Amy wasn’t trafficked in the traditional sense but was instead coerced or forced into working overseas – possibly on yachts or in isolated resorts. This is based on unconfirmed sightings in non-tourist parts of Curaçao and Barbados.
10. She Left Voluntarily but Was Then Trapped
A hybrid theory — perhaps Amy left the ship willingly with someone she trusted, thinking she’d return, but things took a dark turn. This could explain why she was seen looking distressed in later alleged sightings.
The Ship Behind the Story
For context: Rhapsody of the Seas was a brand-new ship in 1998, fresh off Royal Caribbean’s production line. It carried around 2,400 passengers and offered Southern Caribbean sailings out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
At the time, cruise ships had limited CCTV. There was no footage showing Amy leaving the ship. There were also no mandatory reporting laws, no man-overboard detection, and frankly, not much protocol for what to do when someone vanished.
This case – and others like it – eventually led to real change.
The Impact on Cruising
Amy’s disappearance helped inspire the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 in the U.S. This legislation forced cruise lines to get serious about:
- Installing security peepholes and better locks
- Logging and reporting crimes to U.S. authorities
- Training staff on how to handle sexual assault and disappearances
- Improving surveillance
To this day, Amy’s parents remain advocates for cruise safety. They’ve worked tirelessly to raise awareness – not to scare people away from cruising, but to make sure this never happens to another family.
My Take, as a Cruiser
I love cruising. It’s one of the best ways to see the world. But it’s important not to romanticise the industry without also understanding its flaws.
Watching Amy Bradley Is Missing reminded me how far cruising has come – but also how vital it is to stay vigilant, especially in situations where accountability gets murky once you’re in international waters.
If you’re a cruiser, this is worth the watch. It’s not sensational. It’s deeply human. And if even one person with knowledge sees this documentary and comes forward, it could change everything for the Bradley family.
Where to Watch
🟧 Amy Bradley Is Missing is now streaming on Netflix worldwide.
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