Crew member arrested and deported after caught shoplifting in Florida, authorities confirm

A cruise ship crew member was arrested and deported after being caught shoplifting in Port Canaveral, Florida, authorities confirmed. 

"CBP Port Canaveral was contacted by Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Florida (Official) Deputies regarding a detainer placed on crewmember [who] was caught shoplifting during shore leave," the official Miami and Tampa Field Office Facebook page said on March 24. 

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a detainer to retrieve custody after [the Brevard County Sheriff's Office] was finished with the subject."

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The Facebook post continues, stating that the crew member was processed for removal from the United States and then escorted to the Orlando International Airport (MCO) to be put on a flight back to their home country. 

At the time of the report, only one cruise ship — MSC Meraviglia — was docked at Port Canaveral, Florida, according to Cruise Mapper. However, officials have not confirmed the vessel the crew member worked aboard. 

MSC Meraviglia is a Meraviglia Class ship that launched in 2017. She measures 171,598 gross tons and is about 1,036 feet long, according to the cruise line. 

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The vessel can accommodate over 5,700 passengers and 1,530 crew members and is based out of New York. 

MSC Meraviglia departed the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on March 22 on a weeklong Bahamian voyage. Port Canaveral was the first port, followed by MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve and Nassau.

She's expected to return to New York for debarkation on March 29. 

What is it like to work on a cruise ship?

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While passenger decks are filled with shops, restaurants, and other amenities, an entirely different world exists below deck.

Cruise ships are floating cities, and they're home to more than just guests looking for a memorable vacation. From the captain and medical staff to cabin stewards, bartenders, electricians, servers, photographers, and countless others, a hardworking crew works behind the scenes to ensure every journey runs smoothly and safely. 

If you've ever been on a cruise before, you've likely noticed how diverse the crew members are, hailing from countries all over the world. 

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The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) claims that over 150 countries are represented aboard CLIA member cruise lines, and in 2024, CLIA-affiliated cruise lines employed 300,000 seafarers.

These crew members leave behind their homes and families to work contracts that can last for months at a time. According to Royal Caribbean Group Careers, a contract will range anywhere from three to roughly eight months: 

"A contract ranges anywhere from three to approximately eight months, depending on the position. Most senior management roles have 4-month contracts while most of the rest of the positions have 6-8 month contracts. Employees live onboard for the total length of their contracts."

Read more: How To Get a Job on a Cruise Ship (With No Experience)

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Cruise crew joining ships registered in foreign countries but operating in U.S. waters or from U.S. ports (like Miami, New York, Seattle, Port Canaveral, etc.) must typically obtain a C1/D visa.

This is a combined transit and crew member visa that's given to those who simultaneously apply for a C-1 and a D visa. 

The C-1 visa allows foreign nationals to travel to the U.S. to board the vessel, while the D visa is required to actually work aboard the cruise ship.