Key Aspects:
- A hairstylist who worked onboard Brilliant Lady is accused of molesting female passengers.
- The crew member allegedly offered unsanctioned massages to female passengers who booked hair appointments with him.
- If convicted, the Virgin Voyages’ employee could face two years in prison for each charge.
A former crew member who once lived and worked onboard Brilliant Lady has been criminally charged after allegedly sexually assaulting at least two female passengers.
Pranit Narayan Pawar, a 26-year-old, was hired to work as a hairstylist onboard Virgin Voyages’ newest ship and reportedly used his role to gain access to female guests.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washingtonthe citizen of India molested multiple salon guests under the guise of giving them a free massage.
Pawar is accused of offering massages to women who booked hair appointments during the 9-night Alaska sailing that embarked on June 23, with the alleged assaults taking place on or around June 26, 2026.
For example, Pawar appears to have convinced one of the women to book two more salon appointments with him in order to receive a complimentary massage.
Looking just at the two cases that are charged in the complaintPawar allegedly moved the victims into a small, private room next to the salon to conduct the “massage,” where he put his hands under their shirts and touched them in inappropriate places without consent.
In at least one instance, the crew member closed and locked the door before touching the cruise passenger.
For reference, legitimate spa services are available in the Redemption Spa on Deck 5, but not in the Dry-Dock Salon or in the Stubble and Groom men’s barbershop.
During an interview with FBI Special Agents, the stylist also admitted that massage was not part of his job description, nor was this service offered in the salon or the barbershop onboard the 110,000-gross ton vessel.
The FBI Pursues Charges
This case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted in federal court because the crimes occurred at sea within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
At this stage, Pawar has been formally charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact. If found guilty, the now ex-crew member could face up to two years in prison for each count.
Per the complaint, Pawar told FBI Special Agents that he has taken a total of four to five women into the onboard barbershop for massages, which suggests more charges could potentially be coming.
Cruise Hive learned that Pawar made his first court appearance related to the charges on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 2 p.m. PDT in Tacoma, Washington.
The FBI also used this situation as an opportunity to remind cruise passengers to immediately report potential crimes to the onboard security team and to the FBI.
No Tolerance From Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages has not publicly commented on the charges, but based on the brand’s policies, it is highly likely that the adults-only cruise line would have immediately terminated Pawar’s contract and fully cooperated with authorities.
In its code of conduct, Virgin Voyages makes it clear that there will be consequences from the cruise line and law enforcement agents will be contacted in response to any potential crimes.
“Any criminal acts or allegations of such acts, including but not limited to the following, will be addressed on board through de-escalation or acting to end the apparent criminal act, and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency,” the code of conduct reads.
Uninvited physical contact and sexual misconduct are strictly prohibited in the listed examples. And in a later point, the policy states that crew members are not allowed to have physical relationships with guests or to interact with guests beyond their professional duties.
Pawar was interviewed by FBI agents on July 2, 2026, which was the day the 2,770-guest ship returned to Seattle for debarkation. Given the timing, this suggests that Pawar was detained during the voyage and separated from passengers.
When necessary, cruise ships will detain crew members in an onboard holding cell (aka “the brig”) or by confining them to their staterooms with security guards stationed at their doors 24/7.
Brilliant Lady is operating normally as her inaugural Alaska season continues with a series of 7-night sailings based out of Seattle, Washington.
