Celebrity Cruise Passenger Arrested After Alleged Sauna Incident With Two Teens

A ship sauna is supposed to be one of the quieter corners on board. On Celebrity Eclipse, it became the center of a criminal case.

A Florida man was arrested after authorities said he exposed himself aboard Celebrity Eclipse, with two teenage girls and a young employee among the witnesses who later spoke to investigators.

This image shows the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship arriving in Sydney, with the iconic Sydney Opera House visible in the background. The ship's sleek, modern design stands out as it glides through the harbor at sunset, creating a beautiful contrast between the deep blue hull and the warm hues of the evening sky. A tugboat can be seen assisting the ship as it makes its approach to the dock, emphasizing the grandeur of the vessel against the scenic city backdrop.

What Reportedly Happened In The Sauna

According to an arrest affidavit cited by NBC6 South Florida, Michael Henry Mullis, 39, of Lutz, Florida, was accused of exposing himself while in the sauna aboard Celebrity Eclipse.

Investigators said a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old told deputies Mullis was sitting on the top bench when he exposed himself and began masturbating.

Later that day, a 19-year-old employee also reported seeing Mullis in the sauna. Deputies said he removed all of his clothing, covered himself with a towel, and then made a lewd comment.

He Was Arrested When The Ship Returned To Florida

Authorities said Mullis was arrested on March 22, 2026, after Celebrity Eclipse returned to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

He faces two counts of indecent exposure. NBC6 reported that ship security later took him into custody, and he was transported to Broward County’s main jail after the ship arrived back in South Florida.

How Cases Like This Usually Move From Ship To Shore

Celebrity tells passengers to report crimes by dialing the ship’s emergency number or by contacting security or Guest Services. The line says its security officers receive specialized training and follow procedures developed with the FBI.

That matters because ship security is usually the first team to respond when an allegation surfaces at sea. The FBI says onboard security can act as first responders before coordinating with shoreside security and law enforcement.

For cruises that embark or disembark in the United States, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires certain incidents to be reported to the FBI. Celebrity separately notes that criminal allegations onboard are shared with law enforcement, including the FBI.

That does not mean every case turns into a federal prosecution. Here, the public record points to a Broward County arrest and Florida indecent exposure charges once the ship returned to port.

The Incident Happened On An 8-Night Celebrity Eclipse Sailing

The sailing left Fort Lauderdale on March 14 and returned on March 22. The sailing included stops in St. Kitts, Antigua, San Juan, and Puerto Plata.

Celebrity Eclipse entered service in 2010 and carries 2,852 guests at double occupancy.

What We Know So Far

At this stage, the public details come from witness accounts and what deputies included in the arrest affidavit.

The clearest facts are the ages of the witnesses, the alleged conduct in the sauna, the March 22 arrest after the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale, and the two indecent exposure charges.

Celebrity’s safety policy adds context to how a case like this unfolds. The company says onboard security responds first, criminal allegations are shared with law enforcement, and certain incidents on cruises tied to U.S. ports must be reported to the FBI under federal rules.

Celebrity also notes that cameras cover many public areas of the ship, but not private staterooms, public restrooms, or private spa areas. In a sauna-centered case, that helps explain why witness accounts and the affidavit are central to the reporting.