A hairstylist employed aboard Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady has been arrested and charged by U.S. federal authorities following allegations that he sexually assaulted passengers during an Alaska cruise. Pranit Narayan Pawar, a 26-year-old Indian national, faces two counts of abusive sexual contact after investigators alleged he assaulted multiple guests while offering unauthorized massages.
According to the criminal complaint, Pawar was employed to provide hair care services but began offering massages to female guests who had booked salon appointments. In one case, he allegedly offered a complimentary massage in exchange for additional salon bookings. Prosecutors allege that he escorted at least two women to a room adjacent to the salon, where the assaults took place under the pretext of providing therapeutic treatment.
Virgin Voyages stated that the alleged conduct represented a serious breach of the standards expected of all personnel working aboard its ships. The cruise line confirmed that the individual, who was employed by a third-party concessionaire responsible for onboard spa and salon services, was immediately removed from duty after the allegations were reported. The company also notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
Federal investigators said Pawar admitted during interviews that providing massages was not part of his assigned duties. He acknowledged offering massages to four or five women over a period of approximately two weeks and admitted engaging in inappropriate physical contact with several guests, including two women believed to be the victims identified in the charges. He reportedly told investigators that he had not intended to cause harm, had believed the massages were therapeutic, and now regretted his actions after reflecting on the incidents.
The alleged offences occurred while Brilliant Lady was operating in waters under the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, placing the case under federal jurisdiction. Pawar was arrested after the vessel returned to Seattle and has been formally charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact. The investigation remains ongoing.
For more Brilliant Lady incidents and accidents, see the ship's CruiseMinus page