Cruise Ship Crew Member Arrested at Bremerhaven Terminal
A routine border exit check at the Columbus Cruise Terminal in Bremerhaven, Germany, led to the arrest of a 26-year-old cruise ship crew member on January 4, 2026. The man was apprehended by federal police just before he was scheduled to board an unidentified cruise ship. According to a statement from the Bundespolizei, the arrest occurred around 2 p.m. during a standard identity verification process.
The police discovered that the crew member was wanted under two separate arrest warrants issued by the District Court of Augsburg and the District Court of Nördlingen. The warrants stemmed from serious charges, including robbery-related theft and a probation violation linked to a previous assault conviction. Authorities have not disclosed additional details regarding the nature of these offenses or when they occurred. Following his arrest, the man was transferred to the Bremerhaven state police and is set to appear before a judge on January 5.
Previous Incidents Highlight Police Vigilance
This incident is not an isolated case; German police have previously apprehended individuals with outstanding warrants during routine checks at cruise terminals. In September 2025, two crew members from the cruise ship *Disney Adventure* were arrested for offenses related to drunk driving and fraud during similar boarding checks.
While the specific cruise ship the detained crew member intended to board has not been identified, it was reported that the vessel was scheduled to sail to the Bahamas. Notably, the *Disney Adventure* departed from Bremerhaven on the same day, marking a significant moment for the cruise line. Officially delivered to Disney Cruise Line on December 16, 2025, the *Disney Adventure* is the largest ship in the fleet, weighing in at 208,000 gross tons.
The *Disney Adventure* is currently on a transatlantic voyage, with planned stops in Freeport, Bahamas, and Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is expected to arrive in Florida around January 14 or 15, 2026, for a media preview sailing. Following this, the ship will transit through the Panama Canal and make additional stops before reaching its new homeport in Singapore, where it will begin operations on March 10, 2026. The ship’s inaugural season will feature 3- and 4-night itineraries, marking Disney Cruise Line’s first long-term deployment in Asia.
As the cruise industry continues to grow, authorities remain vigilant in ensuring safety and compliance at ports, reflecting a commitment to maintaining security standards for both crew members and passengers alike.
