FBI investigates suspected homicide aboard MSC Seascape cruise ship after sudden return to Texas
The FBI is investigating a suspected homicide aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship, which was ordered back to Galveston, Texas, just one day after departing on a weeklong voyage to Mexico and Honduras.
Passengers expecting a Caribbean getaway were left with canceled vacation plans after the U.S. Coast Guard detained their cruise ship at PortMiami. Maritime attorney Alex Perez suggests travelers may have a stronger legal case against the cruise line if evidence shows the company was aware of problems with the vessel before departure.
Investigation Underway
FBI Houston confirmed that agents responded Monday to the MSC Seascape after the ship docked in Galveston, Texas. Few details about the incident have been released, including the identity of the person who died or the circumstances surrounding the suspected homicide.
FBI Texas City is responding to a suspected homicide onboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship that docked in Galveston on November 9, 2026.
Cruise Line Response
MSC Cruises told Fox News Digital that authorities instructed the Seascape to return to Galveston after the cruise line reported an incident involving a guest. The ship had departed Galveston at 4 p.m. Sunday and was not scheduled to return until November 15.
The seven-night voyage included scheduled stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, as well as Roatan, Honduras. Its first scheduled port call was Wednesday in Costa Maya.
We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted. The ship has left the port and resumed its planned itinerary.
Limited Information Released
Authorities have not specified when or where aboard the ship the suspected homicide occurred, how the person died, or whether anyone has been detained or identified as a suspect. The FBI also has not released the victim's name, age, or nationality.
MSC Cruises describes the Seascape as a state-of-the-art ship offering seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston. The vessel can carry over 5,800 passengers and about 1,600 crew members across 2,270 cabins and 19 decks, sailing under the flag of Malta since entering service in 2022.
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