11 Cruise Ship Crew Members Arrested Over Child Sexual Abuse Material

Federal authorities arrested 11 cruise ship crew members in Boston during an operation targeting child sexual abuse material. The arrests took place between August 14 and 16, 2026, aboard Holland America Line’s Volendam and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway.

The crew members were suspected of receiving and distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

What happened during Operation Tidal Wave?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Homeland Security Investigations agents boarded the two cruise ships as part of “Operation Tidal Wave.” Nine of the arrested crew members are citizens of the Philippines, one is a citizen of Indonesia, and one is a citizen of Nicaragua.

After comprehensive searches of the subjects’ living quarters and electronic devices, “all 11 individuals were processed for removal under Section 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for crimes involving moral turpitude,” according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Although receiving, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material can violate federal criminal law, the government’s public announcement does not say that criminal charges have been filed against these 11 individuals. They were scheduled to leave the country with assistance from a shipping agent.

Both cruise lines said they were cooperating with authorities. Holland America also said it had terminated its employees involved.

Were any passengers photographed or recorded?

So far, authorities have not said that the material was created aboard either ship or that it depicts cruise passengers. They also have not publicly explained whether the workers were connected to one another, how long the alleged activity had been taking place or whether investigators found evidence involving passenger cabins or other guest areas.

Those questions matter. Cruise ship crew members may have access to areas passengers consider private. Depending on their jobs, some also have keys or electronic access to passenger cabins.

Investigators and the cruise lines should determine where the images came from and whether anyone used a work assignment or access privileges to target passengers on board. Cabin-access records, work schedules, security footage, onboard communications and data from electronic devices may help establish what happened. If the evidence identifies potential victims, the cruise lines and authorities should notify them promptly.

Criminal and immigration proceedings do not automatically compensate victims

If investigators determine that passengers were secretly photographed or recorded, those victims may have civil claims that are separate from any criminal prosecution or immigration action. Government proceedings focus on penalizing or removing the accused. They do not automatically provide compensation for the emotional distress, invasion of privacy and other harm suffered by victims.

Cruise ship cases are governed by maritime law and often involve special ticket-contract requirements. Anyone who learns that they or their child may have been recorded should preserve cruise documents, communications with the cruise line and any contact from law enforcement. An experienced maritime attorney can explain the next steps and protect the passenger’s rights while the investigation continues.

Contact Hickey Law Firm

Hickey Law Firm has extensive experience representing cruise ship passengers, including families affected by the 2024 Royal Caribbean hidden-camera case. Founding attorney John H. “Jack” Hickey previously represented cruise lines and has spent more than 20 years fighting for passengers and their families.

If law enforcement or a cruise line has contacted you about this investigation, or if you have reason to believe that you or your child was photographed or recorded aboard a cruise ship, contact Hickey Law Firm for a free consultation. Qualifying cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.