A shocking incident has emerged from a cruise ship that set sail from PortMiami. A 44-year-old woman from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has come forward with allegations that she was raped twice in her cabin by crew members during her trip aboard the Seascape, operated by MSC Cruises.
The woman reported the incidents to Miami-Dade County police on December 7, the same day the ship returned to port. According to police, they are currently investigating the complaint but haven’t shared any details about the case. The cruise company has acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations in a statement.
The passenger described her experience on the cruise as terrifying. “They treated me like I was an animal,” she said, expressing her distress over how the situation was handled on the ship after she reported the assaults. She felt that instead of receiving support, she was being punished for speaking out.
Her lawyer, Jason Margulies, who met with her at the port, confirmed that she filed a criminal complaint for two charges of rape. He described her as “incredibly credible” and noted that she was visibly shaken and upset when he saw her. She had spent about seven hours on the ship after it docked before she was able to meet with the police.
MSC Cruises released a statement acknowledging the serious allegations and said they contacted law enforcement right away, offering support to the guest during the investigation.
The cruise left PortMiami on November 30 and returned the following week. The woman, who was traveling alone, said she had taken anti-anxiety medication before making the mistake of drinking rum punch. Feeling wobbly, she went to the buffet to grab some food to take back to her cabin.
While she was in her room, a waiter brought her food but then stayed longer than expected. She claims he pulled down his pants and assaulted her. The next day, she encountered another crew member who she thought was just asking friendly questions. Later, he knocked on her cabin door and assaulted her as well.
After these traumatic events, she reported both incidents to the ship’s security team. In an email, her husband, who was not on the trip, confirmed her story, stating, “She was raped by two crew members. They have treated her as a criminal.
”This case highlights the serious issues of safety and support for passengers on cruise ships, raising questions about how such incidents are handled onboard.
