Family discovers hidden camera in Carnival cruise cabin
A Florida family was shocked to discover a camera hidden among wires in their Carnival Cruise Line cabin.
The Pensacola couple, along with their 10-year-old son, found the device while searching undusted areas of the room after the father suffered an allergy attack during the second night of their journey from Mobile, Al., to Mexico, the Miami New Times reported.
According to the father, who was not identified by name, the camera was placed behind a TV in their room. The lens was sticking out a bit, pointing directly at the bed.
The man claimed the device was "warm to the touch" and appeared to have an antenna, which leads him to believe it may have been transmitting information to a third party.
"The concern was that somebody had been recorded and we've got a child. My main concern is there is video of him online now. And I'll never know," the father told the Miami Herald in an interview.
"I'm also concerned for anybody else who might have stayed in the cabin before us and anybody else who might be victims and don't realize it."
He and his wife contacted Carnival security who sent an onboard crew to inspect and dismantle the device. Video shot by the father shows him questioning whether one of the crew members may want "to put gloves or something on so you can fingerprint it?"
The crew member's response is not shown.
The father said he was told the camera was equipped with a transmitter similar to the ones on drones.
He spoke with Customs and Border Protection officers at port, according to the publication, but was told they did not have jurisdiction over the matter. The father claims he was not told whether the incident had been reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or any other officials.
The Miami New Times reported that Carnival confirmed in a statement to them that the incident was handled thoroughly and appropriately.
"After review by the ship's technicians, it was determined that device was not operational," spokesperson Vance Gulliksen said.
"A full investigation was conducted by the shipboard team in tandem with Carnival's shoreside security personnel, who also notified U.S. law enforcement."
The family has been in contact with maritime lawyer Jim Walker and is hoping to use him as a mediator with Carnival to get more information about their case. They don't believe the crew was thorough enough and say they haven't been contacted by Carnival since.
Still, they are not rushing to file a lawsuit.
"We weren't trying to get any money; we weren't trying to get a free cruise. I just wanted to have action taken on it," the father said.
It remains unclear whether a previous guest or crew member placed the camera inside the room.
