EXCLUSIVE

11:12 AM PT -- Travolta's lawyer Marty Singer just released a statement, claiming, "This is another ludicrous lawsuit with inane claims. It is obvious that Mr. Zanzi and his lawyers are looking for their 15 minutes of fame."

John Travolta and then embraced him is suing the actor for assault. The cruise ship steward who claims exposed himself during a neck massage and then embraced him is suing the actor for assault.

Fabian Zanzi was working on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2009. Travolta, who was a passenger on the ship, had ordered food and asked that Zanzi deliver it to his stateroom. When Zanzi was in the room, Travolta allegedly asked for a neck massage. Zanzi claims when he reached for Travolta's neck, the actor dropped his robe and exposed his erect penis and then forcefully embraced him.

Travolta allegedly then told Zanzi he was "beautiful" and said, "Take me, I will take care of you, please."

Zanzi says he resisted, and then Travolta offered him $12k to maintain a wall of silence.

Zanzi says he went to cruise ship management to complain but they refused to allow him to write out any details regarding nudity or sexual contact.

Zanzi is suing for unspecified damages.

11:12 AM PT -- Travolta's lawyer Marty Singer just released a statement, claiming, "This is another ludicrous lawsuit with inane claims. It is obvious that Mr. Zanzi and his lawyers are looking for their 15 minutes of fame.

"The lawsuit’s ridiculous claims are completely contradicted by what Mr. Zanzi told his employer back in 2009 when he was being disciplined for his own violations of company policy. In his handwritten report three years ago, the only physical contact he claimed occurred was allegedly touching my client’s neck. The inappropriate conduct he alleges in his lawsuit is absent from his written report he submitted at the time. That glaring omission speaks volumes. Also calling his credibility into question is his dubious allegation that his employer supposedly restrained him in a room on the cruise ship for five days, yet after that supposedly occurred, Mr. Zanzi continued to work for Royal Caribbean for years, on multiple ships. Now, after waiting three years, and after getting paid to tell his story to the media, Mr. Zanzi has filed this absurd lawsuit.

"We are confident that my client will prevail on the merits and that he will be completely vindicated in court."

The cruise ship steward who claims John Travolta exposed himself during a neck massage and then embraced him is suing the actor for assault.

Fabian Zanzi was working on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2009. Travolta, who was a passenger on the ship, had ordered food and asked that Zanzi deliver it to his stateroom. When Zanzi was in the room, Travolta allegedly asked for a neck massage. Zanzi claims when he reached for Travolta's neck, the actor dropped his robe and exposed his erect penis and then forcefully embraced him.

Travolta allegedly then told Zanzi he was "beautiful" and said, "Take me, I will take care of you, please."

Zanzi says he resisted, and then Travolta offered him $12k to maintain a wall of silence.

Zanzi says he went to cruise ship management to complain but they refused to allow him to write out any details regarding nudity or sexual contact.