A 25-year-old Illinois man has been charged with three counts of digital voyeurism following an alleged incident aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas during an Eastern Caribbean sailing.
Matthew Stilwell was arrested when the vessel returned to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on 7th June, following an investigation into allegations that he attempted to photograph a 13-year-old girl without her consent.
The incident occurred on 31st May during the ship’s eight-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary that departed Port Everglades on 30th May.
According to reports, Stilwell was in one of the vessel’s gift shops when he allegedly attempted to photograph or video a teenage girl multiple times without her knowledge or consent. The alleged attempts included taking photographs underneath her dress, according to details contained in the arrest report from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
The young victim reported the incident to her mother, who then notified the ship’s security team. Onboard security camera footage subsequently confirmed the allegations, providing evidence that supported the girl’s account of events. Local reports indicate that Stilwell had a prior connection with the teenager, though the specific nature of that relationship has not been disclosed publicly.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Stilwell was taken into custody when Allure of the Seas returned to its homeport in Fort Lauderdale at the conclusion of the cruise. He is currently being held at the Paul Rein Detention Facility on a bond set at $22,500. The arrest report confirms he faces three separate charges of digital voyeurism, which under Florida law are classified as felony offences.
Digital voyeurism charges apply when an individual secretly attempts to photograph or record another person without their consent, particularly in circumstances where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Florida takes such offences seriously, categorising them as felonies that can carry significant penalties including imprisonment. It remains unclear whether Stilwell was confined to his cabin or faced other restrictions aboard the vessel prior to his arrest, or what disciplinary actions the cruise line may have taken during the voyage.
Royal Caribbean’s Response and Privacy Considerations
Royal Caribbean International has not issued a public statement regarding the incident. The cruise line typically refrains from commenting on matters involving potential criminal charges or ongoing legal proceedings, a standard practice across the cruise industry. This policy helps protect the integrity of investigations and respects the legal process.
Similarly, the identity of the victim has not been publicly disclosed, in accordance with standard practices designed to safeguard the privacy of minors involved in such cases. The protection of victim identities, particularly when children or teenagers are involved, is paramount in criminal proceedings of this nature.
The incident did not result in any changes to Allure of the Seas’ published itinerary. The 225,300-gross-tonne Oasis-class vessel continued with its scheduled ports of call and returned to Port Everglades as planned. The ship has continued to operate its regular schedule of Eastern Caribbean sailings without disruption.
Allure of the Seas can accommodate 5,484 guests at double occupancy, with capacity for up to 6,780 passengers when all berths are filled. The vessel remains one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular ships, offering a wide array of amenities and entertainment options across its multiple decks.
Evolving Technology Policies Aboard Cruise Ships
Cruise lines have implemented increasingly stringent policies to address the potential for covert filming and photography.
In early 2026, Royal Caribbean International introduced stronger restrictions on smart glasses and similar wearable technology that could be used to discreetly record other guests. These devices, which can capture photos and video without obvious indication, have raised privacy concerns across various public spaces, prompting the cruise line to take preventative action.
MSC Cruises implemented similar policies even earlier, establishing restrictions on smart glasses in December 2025.
These measures reflect the industry’s recognition that advancing technology creates new challenges for maintaining passenger privacy and safety. While Stilwell allegedly used a mobile phone camera application rather than smart glasses, the heightened awareness of such incidents has led cruise lines to expand their vigilance across all forms of recording technology.
Maintaining Perspective on Cruise Safety
Despite these concerning incidents, it is important to maintain perspective on overall cruise safety statistics. Such cases remain exceptionally rare when compared to the hundreds of thousands of passengers who embark on cruises each year and enjoy safe, memorable holiday experiences. The cruise industry continues to maintain strong safety protocols and security measures designed to protect all guests.
However, these incidents do serve as valuable reminders for passengers to remain aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behaviour to ship security immediately.
Cruise lines maintain professional security teams trained to respond to a wide range of situations, and modern vessels are equipped with extensive CCTV coverage that can provide crucial evidence when incidents occur.
Parents and guardians travelling with children and teenagers should maintain open communication about personal safety and ensure young people understand the importance of reporting any uncomfortable interactions or encounters to trusted adults without delay.
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