Cruise Crew Arrested at German Port During Departure Checks

Unexpected Arrest at German Cruise Port

A routine identity check at a major German cruise port recently led to the arrest of a crew member. The 26-year-old man was detained on 4th January 2026 at the Columbus Cruise Terminal in Bremerhaven. He was about to board a cruise ship when German federal police intervened.

Standard Checks Reveal Wanted Crew Member

During standard departure checks, officers stopped the man around 2pm. His details were run through law enforcement databases. It was then discovered that he was wanted on multiple charges. Two separate arrest warrants had been issued by courts in southern Germany.

Details of the Arrest Warrants

One warrant was from the District Court of Augsburg for a robbery-related theft charge. The other was from the District Court of Nördlingen for a probation violation after an assault conviction. Further details about the offences were not disclosed. The crew member was taken into custody and transferred to Bremerhaven state police. He was scheduled to appear before a judge the following day.

High-Profile Cruise Departure from Bremerhaven

The cruise ship the man was set to join was not officially named by the police. However, Disney Adventure was a notable departure from Bremerhaven on 4th January. The ship was embarking on a high-profile repositioning voyage to the Bahamas.

Disney Adventure’s Journey

Disney Adventure, the largest in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, began its journey from Bremerhaven. The ship was delivered to Disney Cruise Line in December 2025. It is currently on a transatlantic crossing with a stop planned in Freeport, Bahamas. The ship will then continue to Port Canaveral, Florida, for a brief media sailing.

Future Plans for Disney Adventure

After transiting the Panama Canal, Disney Adventure will make a preview call in Los Angeles. It is expected to stop in Tokyo before reaching Singapore. The ship is scheduled to start operations from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre on 10th March 2026. This marks Disney Cruise Line’s first long-term deployment in Asia.

Arrests at Cruise Ports: A Common Occurrence

Arrests during cruise departure checks are not uncommon in Germany. In September 2025, two crew members from Disney Adventure were detained at a German port. They were wanted for offences including drunk driving and fraud. German ports are known for conducting thorough identity and security checks on both passengers and crew.