An MSC Cruises crew member has been arrested in Miami after being accused of engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old passenger while working aboard MSC World America.
Rafael Cayetano Blanco, 38, was serving as a lifeguard on the ship when the alleged incidents took place during a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise that departed PortMiami on 15th August 2026.
According to NBC Miami, Blanco met the teenage passenger aboard the ship on 16th August. Investigators allege that the pair exchanged telephone numbers before later meeting in Blanco’s crew cabin that evening.
Authorities say sexual activity allegedly took place on two occasions during the cruise, first on 16th August and again on 19th August.
MSC World America was sailing an itinerary that included calls at Roatan in Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay private destination in the Bahamas.
Blanco, a Guatemalan national, was detained after the 216,638 gross-ton cruise ship returned to PortMiami on 22nd August.
Investigators said Blanco subsequently admitted to the alleged sexual activity. He was arrested by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Metro West Detention Center.
Crew Member Dismissed By MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises has confirmed that Blanco was dismissed following the allegations and said the cruise line contacted law enforcement after becoming aware of the incident.
In a statement provided to NBC Miami, MSC Cruises said:
“On discovery of a breach of conduct by a crew member and an alleged criminal act, we immediately contacted the relevant law enforcement authorities,” MSC Cruises told NBC Miami. “We fully supported the investigation and provided every assistance to the guest. The crew member concerned has been dismissed.”
Blanco has been charged with unlawful sexual activity with a specified minor.
Florida law states that a person aged 24 or older who engages in sexual activity with someone aged 16 or 17 commits a second-degree felony, subject to limited exceptions set out in the statute.
A second-degree felony in Florida can carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years, while the maximum standard fine for a first or second-degree felony is $10,000.
Booking information cited in reports on the case lists Blanco’s bond at $7,500. He remained in custody on an immigration hold following his arrest. No attorney was listed in the booking records and, as of the latest reports, a court date had not been made public.
The allegations remain subject to the legal process and Blanco has not been convicted of the charge.
MSC World America Continues Scheduled Cruises
The arrest did not appear to disrupt MSC World America’s operations from Miami.
The ship departed PortMiami again as scheduled on 22nd August for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas itinerary, with calls scheduled at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Ocean Cay before returning to Miami on 29th August.
MSC World America entered service in April 2025 and has been based at PortMiami since its launch. The ship was developed with a particular focus on the North American cruise market and became the first vessel in MSC Cruises’ World Class to operate from the United States.
It currently sails alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami, with both routes including calls at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC World America is one of the largest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet and, despite the arrest taking place as the vessel returned to Miami, there has been no indication that the case has affected its scheduled programme of cruises.
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