A Holland America Line cruise ship waiter working on MS Veendam was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday. Broward County Sheriff's office arrested the26-year-old Indonesian crew member Gede Sukrantara from Bali, on charges of committing a lewd and lascivious act involving a minor. 

According to Local 10-ABC, the incident took place on Sunday, January 15, when Sukrantara met the 15-year-old girl on the ship’s deck 12 and the two began to kiss. Shortly after they went into the restroom where the teen allegedly performed oral sex on the crew member.

Next day the victim reported the incident to the ships security staff, and the case was reported to the Fort Lauderdale Authorities where Gede Sukrantara was arrested once Veendam arrived at its homeport. The father of the child has told police he wants to prosecute the cruise employee. Broward County Detectives interviewed the crew member, and said he confessed receiving oral sex from the teenage girl. The Indonesian crew member is currently being held in a maximum-security jail facility adjacent to the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale with Bond Amount of $15,000, awaiting formal arraignment.

It is unacceptable what the crew member did, and our prayers go to the family. Last year we published an article under the title “How Can Crew Member End up in Prison or Get Fired from Cruise Ship” and we recommend every crew member to read it. There is a zero tolerance by the Cruise Lines regarding crew members engaging in romantic relationship with the guests, and crew members can lose their job or end up in prison.

Photo by: Broward Sheriff's Office