MSC Seascape unexpectedly made a U-turn around 12:20 AM this morning and returned to the Port of Galveston after authorities ordered the ship to come back following a reported guest incident.
After a lot of online speculation of a medical emergency or fatality we now have some information from the FBI.
The ship departed Galveston on Sunday afternoon for a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise. It then returned to port so federal and local investigators could board and respond to what the FBI is calling a suspected homicide.
FBI Confirms Investigation
FBI Houston released a statement Monday confirming the agency is responding to the incident.
“FBI Houston is responding to a suspected homicide that occurred on the MSC Seascape cruise ship,” the agency said. “An FBI Maritime Liaison Agent based out of the Texas City Resident Agency is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port of Galveston Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and MSC Cruises. Since this is an ongoing investigation, no additional details will be provided at this time.”
The FBI takes the lead on serious crimes that happen on cruise ships, especially those occurring in international waters or under special maritime jurisdiction.
MSC Cruises Statement
MSC Cruises confirmed the return and the ship’s departure in a statement:
“On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston. We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted. The ship has since left the port and resumed its planned itinerary.”
Tracking data and reports show the ship arrived back in Galveston early Monday morning. After authorities completed their initial response, the vessel was cleared to sail again and has continued toward Costa Maya, Mexico, the first scheduled port on the itinerary.
Because of the delay, arrival in Costa Maya is expected later than originally planned.
What We Know So Far
Very little has been released publicly. Authorities have not identified the victim, shared the official cause of death, or confirmed whether anyone is in custody.
Details about when and how the incident occurred onboard also remain under investigation.
One traveler who is allegedly on the same ship said, “I’m a door away from the incident. Saw crew, CBP and what looked like detectives. There was a gurney but did lot look like a medical gurney, more like a morgue gurney. The detectives left with what appeared to be evidence packages.”
While rumors and unverified reports of a domestic dispute have circulated online, authorities have not confirmed what led to the incident.
MSC Seascape has been homeported in Galveston since late 2025, sailing weekly 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries that typically include Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel.
This is a developing story. We will update it as more information becomes available from the FBI or MSC Cruises.
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