28 Cruise Ship Crew Members Including Disney Investigated for Child Abuse Material
- Twenty-seven cruise ship workers, including personnel from Disney Cruise Line, have been deported following an investigation by U.S.
- The enforcement action was part of an ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation material.
- According to a spokesperson for CBP, the agency interviewed 28 crewmembers during the operation.
Twenty-seven cruise ship workers, including personnel from Disney Cruise Line, have been deported following an investigation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) into the possession and distribution of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM).
The enforcement action was part of an ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation material. CBP officers boarded eight different cruise ships between April 23 and April 27, 2026, to conduct the probe.
According to a spokesperson for CBP, the agency interviewed 28 crewmembers during the operation. The investigation determined that 27 of those individuals were involved in either the receipt, possession, transportation, distribution, or viewing of CSEM or child pornography.
Following the findings, CBP canceled the visas of the 27 crewmembers and deported them to their home countries. The agency did not release the names of the individuals involved.
The deported crewmembers represent several nationalities. CBP officials stated that 26 of the individuals are from the Philippines, one is from Portugal, and one is from Indonesia.
Corporate Responses
Disney Cruise Line issued a statement confirming that the company has fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies regarding the investigation. The company maintained that it has a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior.
While the majority of these individuals were not from our cruise line, those who were are no longer with the company,A Disney Cruise Line spokesperson
A spokesperson for Holland America also addressed the investigation, confirming that some of the company’s crewmembers were involved in the matter.
Legal and Prosecution Status
It remains unclear whether the crewmembers will face legal action within the United States. CBP has not indicated if the individuals might be tried in U.S. Courts.
When asked about the possibility of prosecution, a spokesperson for the FBI referred all related questions to CBP.