How do cruise ships deal with crimes at sea?

TThe criminal ships of crime and security on board have moved into the spotlight after the introduction of a murder examination after a discussion during a mini-cruise MSC virtuosa In the early May bank holiday weekend.

A 57-year-old man was arrested and killed for murder, and a 60-year-old was arrested and killed due to distrust of the manslaughter.

These incidents may worry future cruise passengers, but crimes on a cruise is rare, and experts say that it should not prevent them from booking a cruise.

Read more: How likely is it that you get sick on a cruise?

A spokesman for the Body Cruise Lines International Association, said The independent: “Crime is on cruise ships – and significantly lower than on land – due to extensive security measures, setting protocols and training.

“While we realize that even an incident is too many, our members have to have comprehensive security measures, protocols and training courses, which makes cruise one of the safest holiday options in the world. Compassion is important, and this is therefore a caring way of being involved in the care and provision of special accommodation and support services, according to the appropriate answer.”

Here you can find out how cruise ships deal with crimes that take place on board.

How many crimes are there on cruise ships?

A large part of the data on cruise ship crimes is based on reports on US officials.

This is because every crime on ships that sail in or from the USA must be reported to the FBI.

Figures from the US Transport Ministry show that 168 crime incidents were reported by the FBI of cruise brands last year, including cases of bodily harm, rape and theft.

In the first quarter of this year there were 48.

While cruise lines take the crime issues seriously, Dr. James Fox, professor of criminology at Northheastern University in Boston, regularly and says that the rate of violent crime at sea is around 95 percent lower than an average US city.

There is no official data in Great Britain, but regular cruisers said they feel completely safe on a ship.

“Despite the headlines, Cruising remains one of the safest opportunities for traveling,” says Jenni Fielding Jenni Fielding, who writes the cruise mumy blog.

“Although I regularly booked short and cheap cruises as a solo traveler, I have never had a bad experience.

“Thefts on cruise ships are very rare. I often work out of the cafes on board and like to leave my laptop unattended while I don't go to the bathroom that I would ever do in a café.”

Similarly, Emma Le Teace, who heads the Emma Cruises YouTube Channel and is a co -founder of Cruise Globe, has been leading to 76 cruises for more than 20 years and has never seen violence or criminal behavior.

She adds: “Cruise ships are generally very safe and I feel safer on ships than on land.”

How do cruise ships deal with crimes?

There are no police on board cruise ships, but cruise ships will have security teams that deal with incidents.

There are phones on board cruise ships and on each individual there is an emergency number link, normally 911 or 999.

When an incident occurs, the security team will secure the scene, preserve evidence and interview witnesses.

The passengers involved may have blocked their key card so that they cannot get to their room or can make purchases if they need to be interviewed.

Joanne Brine, partner in the travel -right dispute at JMW Solicitors, explains: “The captain of the ship has the ultimate authority to determine how to deal with a suspected crime.

“Smaller ships may have a guideline that alleged offenders are limited to their cabins, which are monitored by trained crew members. Larger ships may have a” brigg “to keep passengers what a safe space is.”

If a crime is suspected, the captain of the ship can decide to hang the passengers in the hut or on the Schiffsbrigg. You can also choose to return ashore and bend the alleged perpetrator.

Read more: Best cruise offers for 2025

Next there are rules that follow who takes over the management.

According to the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), the countries are responsible for activities in waters within 12 nautical miles of their national coast.

If a ship is in international waters when the crime takes place, responsibility usually falls into the flag nation in which the ship is registered. If the ship sails in a area other than the registered area, responsibility usually falls closest to the authorities.

So you stay safe on a cruise ship

TIKTOK is full of videos in which cruise passengers show you how to secure your cabins with trigger -salt arms and hidden cameras.

Fielding, however, indicates that it is not worth returning to all of these safety devices.

She says: “Cruise ships are generally safe environments, but as with somewhere it is wise to take some statutory precaution.

“Some solo travelers like to bring doorstops or alarms for calming down. The probability that someone will break into their cabin is extremely rare, and I think that these devices are unnecessary.

“When I go to my room alone, I was always thinking about the Corridor, and if I never felt confident, I went on my door until they had left.

“I am aware that someone who is twice as large can push me into my cabin where there are no cameras, and I always take care of not revealing my cabin number to anyone.”

Read more: What happens if someone falls from a cruise ship?

Le Teace adds that they encounter problems such as fighting on short cruises much more often, especially if alcohol is included.

“Weekend cruises often attract groups that want to celebrate according to StAG -Dos, Hen DOS and birthday parties,” she says.

“These cruises can be great fun, but do not reflect longer cruises.

“Some cruise lines give shorter cruises additional security, or they do not sell unlimited drinks on cruises below a certain length.”

Nicky Kelvin, founder of the points of Points Guy Travel, says that Cruiser should maintain the same level of vigilance as somewhere else.

He says: “Prevention measures that you would take in your daily life – e.g. the protection of your things, the monitoring of children and caution to strangers – should also apply if you are on a cruise.”

Read more: The best cruise ships on which you can travel in your life