More than two dozen people intending to board Norwegian Epic and taking part in the annual EDM (electronic dance music) festival popular as Holy Ship! have been arrested on Saturday, January 6.
The festival attracts around 4,000 ravers from across the United States who spend anywhere from US$900 to US$1,800 each to book either the 3-day or 4-day cruise departing from Port Canaveral to Great Stirrup Cay.
The 4-day cruise returns to Port Canaveral on January 10, and the 3-day is due to disembark later the same day.
The most notable of the arrested was a popular disc jockey who had to perform during both Holy Ship! 2018 cruises. It is 33-year-old Gina Marie Van Scheppingen of Orangeburg NY, who goes by the stage name DJ Gina Turner.
Gina was charged with one felony count of cocaine possession and 2 felony counts of possession of controlled substance without prescription. She was booked into Brevard County Jail with a bond set at US$15,000.
The most serious charges among Port Canaveral arrests were for trafficking narcotics.
For reports on cruise ship accidents see our CruiseMinus section.