A young British couple’s attempt to dodge their cruise bill ended with handcuffs at the Ibiza airport, after they allegedly forced their way off a ship with more than €3,196 (£2,730 / $3,630 USD) in unpaid charges.
The pair – an 18-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man – were arrested by the Spanish National Police on Wednesday 21st May 2025, following an island-wide search after their hasty disembarkation.
While their identities and the cruise line involved have not been publicly confirmed, only MSC Grandiosa and Costa Toscana were docked in Ibiza at the time, both operating week-long Western Mediterranean itineraries.
The couple reportedly pushed and shoved crew members in their attempt to get off the ship quickly without paying their bill – likely consisting of a bar tab and other onboard expenses.
“Police called to the scene interviewed crew members who told them the alleged offenders had tried to push their way off the ship in their attempts to abandon the vessel,” said a police spokesperson.
While no damage or injuries were reported, the pair were quickly tracked down and arrested at the Ibiza airport.
Charges are now pending, including fraud and unauthorised departure, and it is likely they will face prosecution in Spain.
How Do Cruise Bills Work – And What Happens If You Don’t Pay?
Every cruise guest has an onboard account linked to their cabin, which tracks all purchases made during the voyage. This can include:
- Alcohol and drinks
- Shore excursions
- Speciality dining
- Spa treatments
- Gratuities
- Shop purchases
- WiFi and premium services
Most travellers link their accounts to a credit or debit card, allowing for automatic settlement at the end of the cruise. Some guests, however, choose to use cash, which requires a deposit in advance and top-ups if they exceed the original limit.
Cruise lines closely monitor spending. If a guest approaches or exceeds their credit limit or cash deposit, they are usually contacted mid-cruise and asked to update their payment method.
If they don’t, their account may be frozen, preventing further charges until resolved.
In theory, guests cannot disembark without settling their accounts. However, in busy ports or during high-volume disembarkation, it may be possible to slip through unnoticed – but cruise lines do track down those who try.
Guests who leave an unpaid bill may face:
- Fines and legal action
- Arrest, particularly in ports with strict financial fraud laws
- Being banned from future sailings
- Referral to debt collectors or legal claims in their home country
If the balance goes unpaid due to genuine financial hardship or misunderstanding, cruise lines may offer payment plans or other support. But wilful attempts to flee – like this couple’s – leave little room for sympathy.
How to Avoid Bill Shock at Sea
Keeping tabs on your onboard spending is simple on most cruises:
- Use the cruise line’s app or stateroom TV to monitor charges
- Ask guest services for a printed statement
- Set a personal daily spending limit to avoid surprises
- Assign a dedicated credit card for cruise travel
It’s also worth noting that if there’s an error – such as being charged for someone else’s drinks – most guest services teams are happy to correct it, provided it’s flagged before disembarkation.
Trying to sneak off a cruise ship without paying may sound like a plot from a heist movie – but in the real world, the consequences are steep, and security is tight.
This couple’s costly decision is a stark reminder: cruise tabs are best settled before setting foot ashore.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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