Arrests were made before the vacation even began for these party-goers. The “world’s biggest gay festival at sea,” marketed by Atlantis Events as the ultimate queer getaway on the Symphony of the Seas, hit a few waves before it even left port. What was supposed to be an epic cruise turned into a legal drama at PortMiami as several tourists were arrested before they could even board the Royal Caribbean ship.
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On Sunday, as everyone was excitedly lining up to board the Symphony of the Seas, the usual pre-cruise chaos took an unexpected turn. Instead of the usual luggage checks and occasional confused tourist, trained dogs were on duty, sniffing their way through bags. And, let’s just say… these dogs weren’t there for the scent of sunscreen and sea air.
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The “Naughty List” Hits PortMiami
In the blink of an eye, five tourists found themselves off to the clink instead of the open sea. Joshua Eddy, 41, from West Hollywood, was the first on the list. CBP officers reported finding a small pharmacy in his luggage—MDMA, ketamine, meth, and GBL, totaling over 30 grams of pure party fuel. Oops. Eddy, now facing four charges, including trafficking, was promptly booked and given a $7,000 bond. He’ll be hoping for some calmer waters at bond court the next day.
Not far behind, Joshua Jenkins, 39, of Tacoma, Washington, was next to be escorted away. His crime? A little too much meth. His arrest was like the bad kind of drag queen dramatic exit—way too soon and absolutely not the vibe. Jenkins was released on his own recognizance, so he’ll have some time to reflect on how to make his grand entrance next time.
When the Bags Go Bad Leads to Arrest
Brad Kloha, 41, of Nashville, joined the party, only to find his bags also lit up during the search. Officers uncovered 16 grams of MDMA and 17 grams of ketamine—certainly enough to make any partygoer’s eyes widen. Kloha, arrested just before 3:30 p.m., now faces trafficking charges and a $6,000 bond. Maybe not the best souvenir from his trip?
Next up: Adam Jones, 49, from Atlanta, who thought his meth stash of 23 grams would make for a smooth sailing getaway. Spoiler alert: it did not. He, too, was arrested and booked, but his bond was a bit lighter at $5,000. Let’s just say, he’s got a rocky road ahead of him.
And then there’s Hoi Le, 51, from San Francisco, who, by now, knew exactly what was coming. Two baggies of meth and ketamine were all it took to get Le caught in this unfortunate game of Who’s Bringing What to the Cruise. Arrested at 5:15 p.m. and now facing trafficking charges, Le’s bond was also set at $5,000.
A Bump in the (Dance) Floor
Now, we’re not saying this is the type of “turn-up” everyone expected at the “world’s biggest gay festival at sea,” but it sure adds a new layer of drama to an already colorful adventure. As glamorous as these cruises are supposed to be, this is a stark reminder that sometimes the party goes a little too hard.
Atlantis Events might have had the best intentions, but with security screening bags with serious scrutiny, it seems some folks forgot about one very crucial thing: the drugs you sneak onto a cruise might just be more trouble than they’re worth.
The Ocean’s Full of Surprises
We get it—vacations are about breaking free, but let’s keep it legal, friends. As Symphony of the Seas sets sail (hopefully with fewer narcotics on board), these arrests are definitely not the souvenir anyone was hoping for. So, let this be a reminder to pack the sunscreen and leave the other stuff at home, because sometimes, even the best party can hit an iceberg.
We’re still rooting for the rest of the crew who managed to avoid this fiasco. May their dance floors stay free of drama, and their bonds stay… non-existent.
Source: Local10