Modern cruise ships in 2026 use a multi-layered "defense-in-depth" strategy to protect against piracy, primarily focused on avoidance and deterrence. First, ships are designed with a high freeboard (the height of the hull above the waterline), making it physically difficult for small pirate skiffs to board. Second, they utilize LRADs (Long Range Acoustic Devices), which emit a localized, painful "sonic beam" that disorients anyone approaching. Many ships are also equipped with high-pressure water cannons to swamped smaller boats. In 2026, "Bridge-to-Bridge" coordination with international naval task forces (like those in the Gulf of Aden) is constant, and ships often travel at high speeds (20+ knots) through "High Risk Areas," which most pirate craft cannot maintain. While most ships do not carry visible armed guards in public areas, many employ discreet, specialized security teams when transiting specific zones. Furthermore, "pirate drills" are conducted where passengers are instructed to move to interior corridors and close cabin curtains to eliminate any visual targets from the water.