MSC World America accidents and incidents

22 August 2026Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual) On August 22, 2026, after the ship returned to Miami, a male crew member was arrested after allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old female passenger.

The 38-year-old Guatemalan man (Rafael Cayetano Blanco, employed as a lifeguard) met the 17-year-old teenager on the ship on August 16th, when the two exchanged phone numbers. The girl later went to his cabin, where they allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse.

The affidavit states that she returned to his cabin on August 19th and that sexual intercourse allegedly occurred again.

The man was detained and questioned by US law enforcement officers and allegedly confessed to having consensual sexual intercourse with the 17-year-old. He was subsequently arrested and transported to Miami's Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

The crew member was charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, which is a second-degree felony because he was over 24 years old. An immigration hold was also recorded in the arrest documentation.

The incident occurred during the 7-night "Caribbean Cruise" (itinerary August 15-22, roundtrip from Miami) visiting destinations in Honduras (Isla Roatan's Coxen Hole), Mexico (Costa Maya, Cozumel), and the Bahamas (MSC Ocean Cay).

05 March 2026Coast Guard Medevacs

On March 5, 2026, a male passenger was medevaced from the ship en route from Mexico to the Bahamas (Cozumel to Ocean Cay). Reportedly, the man's condition required urgent medical attention that could not be delayed until the vessel reached the Bahamas.

Following an assessment by the ship’s medical team, the Master (Captain Dino Sagani) contacted the USCG to request assistance. The ship was diverted toward Key West (FL), from where a rescue helicopter was dispatched to conduct a mid-sea medical evacuation. The helicopter crew hoisted the man and flew him to shore for further medical treatment. After the medevac was completed, the ship resumed its course toward Ocean Cay.

The incident occurred during the 7-day "Western Caribbean and Bahamas Cruise" (itinerary February 28-March 7, roundtrip from Miami) visiting ports in Honduras (Roatan Island's Coxen Hole), Mexico (Costa Maya, and Cozumel), and MSC's Bahamian private island Ocean Cay.