The Cruise Passenger publication says: There were only six reports of pirates attempting to attack cruise ships over the last 10 years – in fact there has never been a successful pirate attack on a cruise ship. However, this doesn't mean cruise ships aren't prepared for the worst.

While extremely rare in the modern era, cruise ships have occasionally been targeted by pirate attacks, primarily in high-risk zones like the Gulf of Aden or the waters off the coast of Somalia. One of the most famous incidents occurred in 2005 when the Seabourn Spirit was attacked by pirates using RPGs and machine guns; the crew successfully repelled the attackers using a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which emits a painful, high-frequency sound. Since then, cruise lines have implemented rigorous security protocols. Ships traveling through "high-risk areas" often travel in convoys, utilize darkened ship procedures at night, and may even employ "vessel protection detachments" consisting of unarmed or armed security professionals. Modern cruise ships are also much faster than typical pirate skiffs, allowing them to outmaneuver threats. Beyond piracy, ships are also theoretically vulnerable to terrorism, which is why the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code mandates strict screening of all passengers, luggage, and supplies, similar to airport security, to ensure that no weapons or dangerous materials are brought on board.