A mother and son from Alabama are facing accusations of assaulting an older passenger on an MSC cruise ship, leading to the son being removed from the ship in Jamaica for “excessive behavior.” The incident reportedly occurred on October 6 on an MSC cruise out of Miami, where 49-year-old Kelli Lyn Ryan and her son Dylan Ryan were caught on surveillance video striking the victim. Dylan was later removed from the ship at the first port of call in Falmouth, Jamaica for his behavior.
Despite the son’s removal, the mother was allowed to continue on the week-long cruise, which made stops in Grand Cayman Island, Cozumel, Mexico, and MSC Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. Kelli was finally arrested by Miami-Dade police upon the ship’s return to Miami on October 12. She was charged with battery on a person 65 or older based on allegations that she slapped the victim in the ship’s theater following a dispute involving the victim. The footage obtained by police also reportedly showed Dylan hitting the victim several times.
The circumstances leading up to the altercation between the Ryans and the victim, as well as whether they knew each other prior to the cruise, were not disclosed by the police. Both MSC Cruises and Miami-Dade police did not provide immediate responses to inquiries about the incident. The availability of surveillance video of the incident on the ship sheds light on the events that transpired and may assist in the investigation of the allegations against the mother and son.
The incident highlights the challenge of maintaining order and safety on cruise ships, which are essentially floating cities with a diverse population of passengers. Altercations and disagreements among passengers are not uncommon, but physical assault is a serious offense that can result in legal consequences. The fact that the son was removed from the ship for his behavior demonstrates MSC Cruise’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for its passengers, as well as their adherence to taking action against unruly behavior.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper behavior and conflict resolution skills when traveling in close quarters with strangers, especially on a confined space like a cruise ship. The alleged actions of the Ryans, if proven true, are not only disrespectful and harmful but also criminal. The legal system will likely investigate the case further to determine the full extent of the altercation and ensure that justice is served. It also underscores the need for cruise lines to have measures in place to address and prevent such incidents on their vessels to protect the safety and well-being of their passengers.
