Can you be charged for crime on a cruise ship?

However, cruise ships are not places where the law ceases to exist. Crimes occur at sea, and when they do, there are consequences. One question many people don't know the answer to is if you can get arrested on a cruise ship. The simple answer is yes.



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If a cruise ship is in port at the time a crime occurs, the local authorities for that country have clear jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

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79% of all crimes reported onboard cruise ships are sexual assaults, as per the US Department of Transportation. This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of sexual assaults on cruise ships, and serves as a powerful reminder of the need for increased safety measures to protect passengers.

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Cruise ships generally avoid areas with piracy risks, and if they have to sail through them they typically rely on passive defensive measures instead. Armed guards on board are relatively common on cargo vessels, but while they have occasionally been employed on cruise ships it's not at all common.

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There's a special place, however, for those who commit serious crimes at sea — the ship's jail, or “brig” in nautical terms. These steel rooms are located on one of the bottom decks of the vessel, usually near the security office. And if you end up down there, you won't be staying there for the duration of the cruise.

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If someone is suspected of committing a serious crime, like murder or assault, they can be put in the brig until the cruise ship reaches port. Then, local authorities will deal with the individual.

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If you or a loved one were harassed, sexually assaulted or raped by any crew member, then the cruise ship would most likely be strictly liable and responsible for those actions. Another form of criminal assault or rape that could give rise to strict liability is statutory rape.

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The documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise and is the responsibility of the guest. Our policy states that any guest traveling without proper documentation will be denied boarding the ship and will be under full penalty, and therefore, will not be offered a refund or a replacement cruise.

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Consider that about 12-14 million people cruise from the United States in a given year. With 137 total crimes reported in the past four quarters, that means the chances of being a victim on the ship are about 1 in 88,000.

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The Maritime Injury Guide reports that 19 people go missing from cruise ships yearly. While that may not sound significant, it adds up to 400 people over the last 20 years. This includes accidental falls overboard, suicides, and disappearances during port visits.

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The brigs themselves are very basic. Most are a simple room with a bed in one corner and little else. They have a similar design to modern jail cells. Many people imagine cruise ship jails to have iron bars and be similar to that which you'd find on a ship hundreds of years ago, fortunately, this is no longer the case.

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Who Investigates Crimes on Cruise Ships? Instead of police, cruise ships normally have their own security teams who act as first responders when crimes are reported on board. These internal security staff are employed by cruise ship companies and work under the authority of the ship's captain.

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The 5 Most Dangerous Parts of a Ship for Passengers
  • Watertight Doors. Never try to outrun a closing watertight door. ...
  • Wet/Slippery Surfaces. ...
  • Ferries & Lifeboats. ...
  • Dining Facilities & Fast-Spreading Illnesses. ...
  • Balconies. ...
  • Talking to a Florida Cruise Ship Injury Attorney.


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The Maritime Injury Guide reports that 19 people go missing from cruise ships yearly. While that may not sound significant, it adds up to 400 people over the last 20 years. This includes accidental falls overboard, suicides, and disappearances during port visits.

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Fine or surcharge: On many cruise lines, you may be subject to a fine or a surcharge if they catch you sneaking alcohol onto the ship. Confiscation of alcohol: No matter what other disciplinary action the cruise line takes, you can expect them to confiscate your alcohol as soon as they find it.

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ZipRecruiter reports that the annual pay for 2022 for cruise ship captains is $54,229 per year. It also reports that annual salaries can be as high as $100,000 to as low as $17,500. Such a great fluctuation in salary is reflective of the skill level, years of experience, location, and cruise line.

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What happens when someone goes overboard on a cruise ship? The ship goes into emergency mode. The bridge will contact the Coast Guard and a search will begin. The ship will stop and the crew will try to pinpoint where and when it happened so they can start a thorough search in that area.

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A medical consultation on a cruise usually costs around $100 (£85) if during medical centre opening hours. This price rises to around $165 (£137) for appointments outside of opening hours and can rise as high as $205 (£170) if a doctor needs to visit a guest's cabin.

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Cruisers are often shocked to learn that it's not standard practice for cruise lines to employ lifeguards to keep watch over onboard pools. After several tragic drownings, a handful of lines decided to try adding cruise ship lifeguards.

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