Royal Caribbean International is facing legal battles and public outrage after a former employee was convicted of secretly filming passengers, including children, in their staterooms aboard the Symphony of the Seas.
The perpetrator, 34-year-old Arvin Joseph Mirasol, worked as a cabin attendant and used hidden cameras to record guests in intimate moments. The disturbing discovery was made in March 2024, when a young girl found a hidden device under a bathroom sink during a family vacation. Investigations revealed Mirasol had been placing cameras in guest cabins since late 2023, capturing images and videos of passengers, some as young as two years old.
Mirasol was arrested and later pleaded guilty to producing child sexual abuse material. In August 2024, he was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.
Lawsuits Begin to Mount
In the aftermath, Royal Caribbean is facing multiple lawsuits filed by affected passengers. A group of 12 plaintiffs, including families from Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, and Georgia, has alleged negligence in the cruise line’s hiring and supervision processes. The victims’ attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, criticized the company, stating, “This lawsuit is a call to action for cruise lines to thoroughly screen employees and ensure passenger safety. This type of violation should never happen.”
An earlier class-action lawsuit, filed in October 2024, suggested that as many as 960 passengers may have been unknowingly filmed by Mirasol during his time as a crew member. It further claimed that Royal Caribbean failed to notify many of the affected individuals, leaving some unaware of their victimization.
Royal Caribbean’s Response
In a public statement, Royal Caribbean emphasized its “zero tolerance” policy toward such misconduct. The company added that it took immediate action by reporting Mirasol to law enforcement and cooperating fully with the investigation. The cruise line also reiterated its commitment to guest safety, though critics argue more could have been done to prevent this from happening in the first place.
Passenger Privacy and Accountability
The hidden camera scandal has raised significant concerns about passenger privacy and security aboard cruise ships. Critics are calling for stricter hiring processes, more extensive background checks for crew members, and better monitoring of onboard activities.
This high-profile case underscores the importance of vigilance when it comes to protecting travelers’ safety. For now, Royal Caribbean remains under intense scrutiny as the legal process unfolds, with many awaiting further accountability for what some have called a “massive breach of trust.”
