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Lifeguard arrested for sexual encounter with minor
On Aug 22, 2026, Rafael Cayetano Blanco, a 38-year-old lifeguard aboard the 'MSC World America', was arrested at Port Miami for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old passenger. MSC Cruises immediately dismissed him, and law enforcement detained him following an investigation by local and federal authorities into the incidents, which took place inside the crew member's cabin during an ongoing voyage. He was held at the Metro West Detention Center in Miami-Dade County with an immigration hold in place. Blanco and the teenage passenger first met on the ship and exchanged phone numbers on Aug 16. The affidavit alleged that the minor visited Blanco's cabin later that night and again onAug 19, during which sexual encounters occurred. Following the ship's arrival at Port Miami, law enforcement officers boarded the vessel and questioned the suspect. After receiving his Miranda warnings, Blanco allegedly admitted to the encounters. The vessel had departed from Miami on Aug 15 for a 15-day round-trip itinerary, returning briefly to port on Aug 22, before continuing its journey toward Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
Allision with bunker tanker
The 'MSC World America' sustained minor damage after a refueling vessel struck it while it was docked at the cruise line's private island on Nov. 6, while the ship visited the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas. The allision happened on the last night of the vessel's weeklong Eastern Caribbean voyage to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and The Bahamas. There were several visible scrape marks and scuffs along the ship's hull, including dark streaks and orange-colored abrasions below the porthole windows. The incident appeared to have caused only minimal disruption to the ship's operations, resulting in a delay departing Ocean Cay, which did not affect the ship's scheduled return to Miami or passenger disembarkation. The 'MSC World America' has since begun its next seven-night Caribbean cruise to Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and Ocean Cay. Report with photos: https://cruise.blog/2026/11/cruise-ship-damaged-refueling-collision-private-island?fbclid=Iwb21leAVegVFjbGNrBV6BT2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEfgWH0S9QRtGYPNx0D5gnPFbBMRBqHnp4DO1-rYxQAIzWkLZuajVuBFIq34Co_aem_EckFgN9q1vxz5YczCeR8ow
Drew Barrymore will christen new cruise ship
MSC Cruises has named the actress Drew Barrymore as Godmother for the 'MSC World America'. The vessel is set to debut on April 9, 2025, in Miami. As godmother, Barrymore will be on hand at MSC World America’s christening, cutting the ribbon and breaking a bottle of champagne alongside Bloom at the event taking place at the cruise line’s new MSC Cruise Terminal. The ship is gearing up for her debut by wrapping up final stages of outfitting at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, where she has been under construction since 2022.
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