The FBI is investigating a suspected murder aboard the MSC Seascape after the cruise ship was ordered to return to Galveston, Texas, just hours into a week-long Caribbean voyage.
The vessel departed on Sunday but turned around at about 12.20am on Monday at the direction of authorities, docking in Galveston later that morning.
MSC Cruises confirmed that the ship had been diverted following what it described as a guest incident. In a statement, the company said: “On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston.”
The FBI is investigating alongside the US Coast Guard, port police and Customs and Border Protection. MSC Cruises said it was co-operating fully with the investigation and supporting those affected.
Authorities have not identified the deceased person or disclosed how the death occurred. No arrests have been publicly announced.
Despite the investigation, the MSC Seascape has since left Galveston and resumed its planned itinerary.
