Cruise Ships Have Jails for Passengers Who Commit a Serious Crime. If the guest committed a serious crime, such as assault or murder, aboard the cruise ship, the security team must place them in the brig to prevent harm to other passengers.

While cruise ships do not have a full-fledged judicial system, they do have a holding cell known as a "brig." If a passenger commits a serious crime—such as physical assault, theft, or possession of illegal substances—the ship's security team (often composed of former law enforcement) has the authority to detain the individual in the brig to ensure the safety of other guests. In 2026, maritime law dictates that the "Master of the Vessel" (the Captain) has ultimate authority. Once the ship reaches its next port of call, the detained individual is typically handed over to local authorities or federal agents (like the FBI for U.S.-based routes) for formal processing. Depending on the severity of the offense and the jurisdiction of the waters, a passenger could indeed find themselves facing a jail sentence on land following their removal from the ship.