11 Arrested Aboard Boston Cruise Ships in Child Exploitation Probe

Updated September 24, 2026

Federal authorities arrested 11 foreign-national crew members after boarding Holland America Line’s Volendam and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway in Boston from Aug. 14 to 16, 2026. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the arrests involved allegations of receiving and disbursing child sexual abuse material and child sexual exploitation material. Neither ship’s planned operations were reported disrupted, and there were no reported delays to their next sailings.

The action was part of Operation Tidal Wave, a joint initiative involving CBP, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The operation targets cruise ship crewmembers associated with the possession, use, procurement, production or distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Authorities did not disclose the individuals’ onboard positions or specify how many arrests occurred aboard each ship.

Nine of those arrested are citizens of the Philippines. The other two are citizens of Indonesia and Nicaragua. Authorities did not release their identities.

CBP officers and HSI agents searched the individuals’ living quarters and electronic devices before making the arrests. The agency did not disclose how they were initially identified or provide details about the material allegedly found during the searches.

All 11 were processed for removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act and are scheduled to leave the United States with shipping-agent assistance. CBP classified the alleged conduct as crimes involving moral turpitude. No federal criminal charges against the 11 were announced. Immigration removal proceedings are separate from a criminal conviction.

Holland America said it was fully cooperating with law enforcement and had immediately terminated the individuals involved. Norwegian Cruise Line said it was aware of the situation and was cooperating with the appropriate authorities.

“Protecting children from exploitation is among our highest priorities, and this operation demonstrates the critical role CBP officers play in identifying and stopping individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” said Julio Caravia, acting director of field operations for CBP’s Boston Field Office.

According to Caravia, the operation relied on coordination among participating agencies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement partners. He said the agencies would continue using their available authorities to disrupt the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material and prevent those involved from entering or remaining in the United States.

Operation Tidal Wave also conducted earlier phases at other cruise ports in 2026. In April, 27 crew members from six ships faced administrative enforcement actions in San Diego and were returned to their home countries. In June and July, authorities took enforcement action involving 14 crew members from three ships in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and accepted one case for federal prosecution.