Families planning cruise vacations may face concerns beyond common health issues. Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted a significant operation that led to the boarding of five cruise ships, including a Disney vessel, in San Diego from April 23 to 25. The operation resulted in the arrest of 28 individuals linked to child sexual exploitation material (CSEM).
According to a CBP spokesperson, the agency identified multiple crew members from various countries, including the Philippines, Portugal, and Indonesia, who were involved in activities such as possession and distribution of CSEM. The spokesperson confirmed that the visas of those arrested were revoked, and they are in the process of being deported.
In a statement, a Disney representative emphasized the company’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding such behavior and stated that any employees found to be involved are no longer with the company. Some passengers reportedly witnessed the arrests, although the reasons behind the CBP's actions remained unclear at the time. Misinterpretations by some online commenters suggested that the operation was aimed at immigration issues, which prompted criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities.
This incident occurs amid broader scrutiny of cruise ships, highlighted by a separate report of a hantavirus outbreak affecting a luxury cruise ship near Cape Verde. The World Health Organization has confirmed several cases, with three fatalities reported.
Disney has faced criticism in the past for employee conduct related to serious crimes, including human trafficking. A Florida sheriff previously noted that Disney employees have been apprehended during undercover operations aimed at addressing such issues.