A routine crew check at a cruise terminal took an unexpected turn when the German federal police arrested a man who was preparing to join a cruise ship to start his first contract.

According to reports from German media, police officers arrested a 26-year-old man on January 4, 2025, at the port of Bremerhaven.

The man had arrived at the cruise terminal to complete departure screening, intending to begin work as a crew member on a cruise ship scheduled to sail to the Bahamas. During a standard identity check, officers discovered that he was wanted on two outstanding arrest warrants.

German authorities confirmed that the warrants had been issued by the District Court of Augsburg and the District Court of Nördlingen. One warrant was related to a robbery case, while the second involved a violation of probation conditions following a previous conviction for assault.

Federal police took the man into custody at the terminal. He was subsequently handed over to state police in Bremerhaven and presented before a judge in line with German legal procedure.

Authorities have not released the name of the cruise ship crew member intended to board, and no further details have been provided about the individual’s employment arrangements.