Fact-Check: Hundreds of Royal Caribbean Passengers Filmed by Hidden Cameras in Bathrooms

Royal Caribbean facing lawsuit after ex-crew member put hidden cameras in state rooms

The luxury and allure of cruise vacations often promise relaxation and safety, yet recent revelations have shaken the trust of many in the cruise industry.

A horrifying case involving Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas ship has brought to light gross violations of passenger privacy and safety, with hundreds of unsuspecting passengers reportedly filmed by hidden cameras in their bathrooms.

The incident has sparked outrage, lawsuits, and calls for accountability.

The Crime and the Conviction

Arvin Joseph Mirasol

In August, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, a former stateroom attendant on the Symphony of the Seas, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. The Philippine national pleaded guilty to producing child sexual abuse material after being caught filming children, some as young as two, in various stages of undress.

Mirasol’s crimes came to light on February 25, when a young girl discovered a hidden camera beneath a bathroom sink during a cruise that had set sail from Florida. He was detained at sea and arrested days later when the ship returned to port. Investigators confiscated his electronic devices, uncovering numerous illicit videos of children showering and getting dressed. Mirasol later admitted to hiding under beds in passenger cabins to spy on and record children exiting showers.

These revelations have underscored severe lapses in Royal Caribbean’s screening and supervision processes, prompting victims and their families to take legal action against the cruise line.

Learn more: How To Find the Hidden Cameras In Hotel Room with Easy Ways and Detector Apps

Legal and Emotional Fallout

Lawsuits Filed

A dozen victims and their families have filed lawsuits against Royal Caribbean, accusing the company of failing to adequately screen its employees and protect its passengers. The lawsuits claim that Mirasol’s actions went undetected for months, allowing him to victimize potentially hundreds of passengers.

Spencer Aronfeld, an attorney representing the victims, highlighted the scale of the potential victim pool:

"He installed, underneath the cabin bathroom sink, a camera where he was recording people using the bathroom — men and women and children, in and out of the showers. We think there are hundreds of other victims out there.”

An earlier lawsuit estimates that up to 960 passengers may have been victimized, based on the number of cabins Mirasol serviced during his employment. Alarmingly, some footage may have been uploaded online, including to the dark web, without the knowledge or consent of the victims.

One mother, whose two-year-old daughter was among the victims, expressed her disbelief and desire for justice:

"We entrusted our privacy, our safety with their cruise line, and to hear that our privacy was completely just thrown off the window was really shocking to me."

Ongoing Trauma

The emotional impact of these violations has been severe. One plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe, reported symptoms such as insomnia, physical pain, and dizziness after learning she was filmed without consent. Many victims remain unaware that they were recorded, adding another layer of trauma for those who may one day learn of their victimization.

Royal Caribbean’s Response and Accountability Questions

Royal Caribbean has stated that the safety and privacy of its guests are its "highest priority." The company terminated Mirasol immediately after learning of his actions and reported the incident to law enforcement. However, critics argue that the cruise line failed to act proactively, both in hiring and in protecting passengers from foreseeable risks.

The lawsuits allege that the company neglected to notify passengers who stayed in cabins serviced by Mirasol between December 1, 2023, and February 26, 2024, across 12 different cruises. Attorney Jason Margulies, representing one of the plaintiffs, criticized this omission:

"Who knows how many countless numbers of pornographic images of these unsuspecting passengers will be circulating on the internet forever because Royal Caribbean failed to protect their privacy and allowed Mirasol to make these passengers victims."

These claims are compounded by other safety lapses. For instance, another Royal Caribbean ship, the Harmony of the Seas, was involved in a similar hidden camera scandal in 2023. Critics argue this pattern highlights systemic flaws in the company’s security measures.

Illustration: Hidden camera discovered in bathroom

The Bigger Picture: Safety on Cruise Ships

The incident raises broader concerns about safety aboard cruise ships. Data shows that allegations of sexual assault aboard cruise ships rose to 131 in 2023, a significant increase from 87 in 2022. Advocates argue that cruise lines prioritize profits over safety, neglecting to invest in necessary training, supervision, and security infrastructure.

The lawsuits also point to a culture of secrecy. Margulies commented on the lack of transparency:

"If you're a company that's looking out for the best interest of your passengers, then you would certainly be telling all these people that they could be potential victims. I mean, that's the humane thing to do."

Implications for the Cruise Industry

This scandal has prompted widespread scrutiny of the cruise industry’s hiring practices and safety protocols. The lawsuits demand not just compensation but systemic changes to prevent future abuses. Plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages and a jury trial to hold Royal Caribbean accountable.

As the legal battle unfolds, key questions remain:

• How rigorously are cruise ship employees screened during hiring?
• What measures are in place to monitor employee conduct?
• Why were potentially hundreds of victims not informed?

Calls for Change

Victims and advocates have called for transparency and accountability. Beyond financial compensation, they demand reforms to prevent future abuses. One plaintiff summed up the victims’ goals:

"We want disclosure, we want accountability. Compensation would be ideal as well. For the most part, we want to make sure that this does not happen to anyone else’s family."

The lawsuits may set a precedent for how cruise lines handle passenger safety and privacy. If successful, they could compel stricter industry regulations, greater transparency, and improved security measures aboard cruise ships.

Conclusion

The case of hidden cameras on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas is a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities passengers face even in seemingly secure environments. While the legal battle continues, the affected families are left grappling with the emotional toll of these violations. For Royal Caribbean and the cruise industry at large, this scandal should serve as a wake-up call, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to restore passenger trust.

15 Funniest Moments Caught on Camera: Laugh Till You Cry Unexpected events that make us laugh and hurt happen all the time in our daily lives.

Funniest Moments Caught on Camera: Painful, Shouldn't Learn Humorous incidents occur daily, at any time and in any location.

Funniest Moments Caught on Camera - Women Fail Compilation Despite empathizing and sharing in the girls' suffering, it is difficult to refrain from laughter.