Cruise & Cruise Line

FBI Investigating Unruly Passenger Dying in Cruise Custody Onboard Royal Caribbean Ship

Image: PHOTO: Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas (left) and Mariner of the Seas (right) docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay. (photo by Patrick Clarke)
Image: PHOTO: Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas (left) and Mariner of the Seas (right) docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay. (photo by Patrick Clarke)
Lacey Pfalz
by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:10 AM ET, Fri December 20, 2024

A recent unruly passenger incident resulting in the person’s death onboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas in mid-December is prompting an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

According to ABC News, the incident, which occurred on December 13, began when a seemingly drunken man began unruly, yelling obscenities and kicking a cabin door in one of the ship’s hallways. Crew members stepped in, restraining the man with zip ties and towels.

The man later died in the ship’s custody. 

The Navigator of the Seas was sailing back to Los Angeles from Ensenada, Mexico at the time. It is currently in Los Angeles as a crime scene for FBI investigators. 

Royal Caribbean told ABC News, “We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We offered support to the family and are working with authorities on their investigation.” 


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Lacey Pfalz

Lacey Pfalz

Associate Editor

Lacey Pfalz is Associate Editor at TravelPulse. She's a passionate advocate of responsible travel and believes the best travel experiences happen outside of a planned itinerary. Lacey currently lives in rural Wisconsin. She can be reached at [email protected].

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