Cruise Passenger Arrested As They Attempted To Board

For one would-be cruiser, a dream Alaskan getaway came to a screeching halt in Ketchikan, Alaska, when law enforcement arrested her just as she was preparing to board her ship.

On 12th June 2025, 64-year-old Karen Bryan was taken into custody at the popular cruise port after authorities in Laramie County, Wyoming, flagged her as a fugitive.

Bryan was reportedly wanted on suspicion of embezzling thousands of dollars from a church in her local community.

Despite the more than 1,500-mile distance between Laramie and Ketchikan, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. routinely share warrants digitally.

When Bryan arrived at the cruise terminal, a routine check triggered a watchlist alert, allowing local police in Ketchikan to act swiftly.

Arrest Confirmed by Local Sheriff

The arrest went viral after Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak posted about it on Facebook, praising the inter-agency coordination that led to Bryan’s arrest.

“Our deputies are responsible for picking up wanted fugitives throughout the United States,

“She was contacted by law enforcement in Alaska as she was boarding a cruise ship, and has been arrested.”

He added that extradition procedures are already underway and joked, “Our deputies are currently fighting over who is going to get to go to Alaska to extradite her back here to Laramie County.”

Which Ship Was She Trying to Board?

Authorities have not confirmed which cruise line or ship Bryan was attempting to board. However, Ketchikan saw an exceptionally busy day on 12th June, welcoming five large cruise ships carrying more than 16,000 passengers combined:

Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line) – 4,004 guests
Royal Princess (Princess Cruises) – 3,560 guests
Sapphire Princess (Princess Cruises) – 2,670 guests
Eurodam (Holland America Line) – 2,104 guests
Koningsdam (Holland America Line) – 2,560 guests

All vessels were in port during overlapping times, and the exact ship Bryan intended to sail on has not been publicly confirmed.

A Growing Trend: Cruise Terminals as Arrest Points

While it may surprise some, cruise terminals in the U.S. function as ports of entry, even for domestic cruises. This allows local and federal authorities to scan passenger IDs against active warrants or security databases.

From PortMiami to Galveston to Baltimore, arrests of cruise passengers with outstanding warrants have become increasingly common.

In fact, FBI agents in Texas are specifically assigned to cruise port operations, and authorities regularly use facial recognition technology to scan for wanted individuals.

A recent example includes a Kentucky man arrested in PortMiami in December 2024 for owing over $100,000 in back child support.

Other arrests have occurred in Jacksonville, Los Angeles, and New York, often just minutes before embarkation.

Despite their relaxing atmosphere, cruise ships are not a safe haven for fugitives. With cruise lines implementing strict ID checks and working closely with law enforcement, attempting to board a ship with an active warrant is a high-risk gamble.

As for Bryan, what was likely meant to be a scenic Alaskan cruise has now turned into a legal journey back to Wyoming – in custody.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.