Some people will go to great lengths for an Alaska cruise – but for one man, the desire to set sail allegedly crossed the line into serious criminal territory.
Enrico Ronquillo, a 37-year-old Philippine national legally residing in the US, has been indicted on multiple federal charges after allegedly stealing the identity of an American citizen in order to board a cruise ship bound for Alaska earlier this year.
According to a June 2025 press release from the US Attorney’s Office for Alaska, Ronquillo is accused of using a fake California driver’s license and birth certificate to impersonate the victim and board a ship operating between 11th – 14th May 2025.
Officials also say Ronquillo submitted a fraudulent IRS Form W-9 using the same stolen identity. This form is typically used to report a taxpayer’s identification number and certification, indicating the impersonation may have extended beyond just cruise access.
“Ronquillo is charged with one count of false impersonation of a US citizen, one count of making and using a false document, and two counts of aggravated identity theft,”
US Attorney’s Office statement
He is expected to appear before a US Magistrate Judge in Alaska at a future date.
If convicted, Ronquillo faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft charge, as well as up to five additional years and a $250,000 fine for the false impersonation and document charges.
Authorities have not revealed which cruise line or ship was involved, nor how the impersonation was discovered.
The cruise line may have detected inconsistencies during ID verification or flagged the documents through digital screening systems.
Though international travellers often board Alaska cruises with ease – typically requiring only valid travel documents such as passports and visas – Ronquillo’s exact motives or visa status remain unclear.
Alaska Cruise Arrests on the Rise
This latest case is part of a growing list of recent cruise-related arrests, especially in Alaska, where law enforcement works closely with federal agencies at busy cruise ports considered legal ports of entry.
Just days earlier, on 12th June 2025, a woman named Karen Bryan was arrested in Ketchikan while attempting to re-board her ship.
Bryan was flagged by local authorities due to an outstanding warrant from Laramie County, Wyoming, where she is accused of embezzling church funds.
“She was contacted by law enforcement in Alaska as she was boarding a cruise ship, and has been arrested,” confirmed Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak.
Ketchikan’s high cruise traffic makes it a hotspot for warrant checks, with facial recognition and ID scanning systems regularly used at security checkpoints.
Global Trend of Cruise Crime
The recent identity theft and Wyoming embezzlement cases are part of a larger global pattern of cruise-related arrests.
In a separate incident this June, a couple was detained in Ibiza, Spain, after allegedly trying to flee their cruise without paying a €3,196 ($3,630 USD) bar tab.
The pair attempted to disembark quickly and avoid the bill but were arrested by Spain’s National Police before leaving the port.
Cruise lines make it relatively simple to track and manage onboard expenses using mobile apps, stateroom TVs, and guest services. Attempting to bypass these systems is not only unwise – it can result in international legal consequences.
While rare, these incidents highlight the importance of honest travel documentation and adhering to cruise line policies.
Ports of call, especially in North America and Europe, are subject to the same security standards as airports, and passengers can and do face arrest if flagged by law enforcement.
With more than 1.6 million cruise visitors expected in Alaska during 2025, local officials are staying vigilant – and so should passengers.
Whether planning to cruise Alaska or elsewhere, the safest (and simplest) route to a dream vacation is through legitimate travel documentation and onboard conduct that stays well within the law.
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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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