Key Aspects:
- An MSC World America lifeguard was arrested in Miami following allegations involving a 17-year-old passenger.
- The 38-year-old crew member faces a charge of unlawful sexual activity with a specified minor, with bond set at $7,500.
- MSC Cruises says it contacted law enforcement after discovering the alleged conduct, assisted the passenger, and dismissed the crew member.
An MSC Cruises crew member has been arrested in Miami following allegations involving a teenage passenger onboard one of the cruise line’s ships. 38-year-old Rafael Cayetano Blanco was serving as a lifeguard aboard MSC World America when the encounters allegedly occurred.
The 216,638 gross-ton vessel had departed August 15, 2026 on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from PortMiami. The cruise visited Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Ocean Cay.
According to a report by NBC Miami, Blanco met a 17-year-old female passenger onboard on August 16 and exchanged numbers before meeting in his cabin that night.
The Guatemalan native allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the underage passenger twice: once that first night, and once more on August 19.
On August 22, MSC World America returned to PortMiami and Blanco was detained. Investigators say he subsequently admitted to the alleged sexual activity. He was then arrested by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Metro West Detention Center in Miami.
Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department booking records show the bond for Blanco is set at $7,500. He is charged with unlawful sexual activity with a specified minor, a second-degree felony under Florida Statute 794.05.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He remains in jail on an immigration hold. The case is still pending with no court date yet released to the public. No attorney was listed in the booking records.
MSC Fires Crew Member and Issues Response
MSC Cruises says it dismissed Blanco from his position as a lifeguard. In a statement to NBC Miami, the cruise line detailed its response to the alleged incident.
“On discovery of a breach of conduct by a crew member and an alleged criminal act, we immediately contacted the relevant law enforcement authorities,” MSC Cruises told NBC Miami. “We fully supported the investigation and provided every assistance to the guest. The crew member concerned has been dismissed.”
MSC World America has been based out of PortMiami since entering service in April 2025. The vessel, designed with the North American market in mind, became the first World-class MSC ship to sail from the United States. Cruise Hive covered the ship’s arrival in Miami before her inaugural voyage in April 2025.
The ship operates alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami. Western Caribbean cruises typically visit Mexico and Honduras, while Eastern Caribbean voyages call in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Both feature MSC Cruises’ private destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC World America departed on her next cruise from PortMiami on August 22 as scheduled. The 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas cruise is set to visit Puerto Plata, San Juan, and Ocean Cay before returning to PortMiami on August 29. The arrest does not appear to have affected this sailing.
