I am about to go on my honeymoon cruise on the Royal Princess in February and I am a little concerned, after seeing some alarming information online regarding violent crime on cruise ships.
Per the “Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act” (H.R. 3360), cruise ship companies are required to report crime statistics. I looked over the stats on the US Coast Guard website and saw that cruise companies reported MANY sexual assaults over the past couple of years, since H.R. 3360 was passed.
I’m not sure if all of the information below is accurate, but this is what I have found on online news reports and various other web pages:
- When you are on a cruise ship, you are under the laws of the country where the ship is registered (not the US). For example, the Royal Princess is registered in Hamilton, Bermuda. When we step on board the Royal Princess in February, the laws of Bermuda apply and the US has no jurisdiction regarding any crimes that are committed while the ship is out at sea.
- Cruise line employees are hired from non-US countries. Background checks are not part of the hiring process, so it is possible that many cruise ship employees have a criminal record.
- Most reported violent crimes on cruise ships are committed by ship employees.
- Although there is security personnel present, no REAL law enforcement is on board cruise ships while they are out at sea.
- The deadbolts on the cruise ship doors are pretty much useless, since a lot of ship employees have pass keys that will not only open stateroom doors, but will also bypass the deadbolts.
- Per several online news reports, few (if any) perpetrators of violent crime on cruise ships are prosecuted and convicted. In an online interview, one lawyer who specialized in dealing with cruise ships said that in his 30+ years in the business, he had only seen one cruise-related violent crime conviction. He stated that the perpetrators are often fired by the cruise line and returned to their home country, where they get off Scott-free. By the time that happens, it is impossible for US authorities to do anything about it. He said that cruise companies do this to avoid bad publicity.
Does anyone else out there have safety concerns? What are cruise companies doing to ensure the safety of their passengers? Considering the info above, can I be confident that my fiancé and I will be safe on our honeymoon cruise?
My husband & I have been on quite a few cruises, and have never had a problem with crime. In fact, the security team on board are very responsible and mindful of the comfort of the passengers. On our first cruise (Carnival), some teenagers were jumping in the deck pool, using foul language, etc. The security guy asked them to stop, but they ignored him. Eventually, they left the pool area. They next day, the kids weren't by the pool. We asked a pool steward about them and were told that they had been taken off the ship and had to make their way back home on their own. On another cruise (Celebrity Alaska repositioning), we were leaving San Francisco when the ship suddently stopped and turned back to the port. We heard later that a woman got beligerent in the dining room and was taken off of the ship. You have to realize that the ship had to redock, they had to close the casinos and shops, etc.
We have never experienced a feeling of danger on ships. I feel more safe there than perhaps walking down a street in any town or city here. Even on excursions, the leaders are very safety conscious. Whenever I read about someone falling off of a ship, I think--too much alcolhol and acting outrageously. Relax and enjoy yourself. Cruising is a great way to travel and see the world.
Violent Crime on Cruise Ships
in First Time Cruisers
Posted
My husband & I have been on quite a few cruises, and have never had a problem with crime. In fact, the security team on board are very responsible and mindful of the comfort of the passengers. On our first cruise (Carnival), some teenagers were jumping in the deck pool, using foul language, etc. The security guy asked them to stop, but they ignored him. Eventually, they left the pool area. They next day, the kids weren't by the pool. We asked a pool steward about them and were told that they had been taken off the ship and had to make their way back home on their own. On another cruise (Celebrity Alaska repositioning), we were leaving San Francisco when the ship suddently stopped and turned back to the port. We heard later that a woman got beligerent in the dining room and was taken off of the ship. You have to realize that the ship had to redock, they had to close the casinos and shops, etc.
We have never experienced a feeling of danger on ships. I feel more safe there than perhaps walking down a street in any town or city here. Even on excursions, the leaders are very safety conscious. Whenever I read about someone falling off of a ship, I think--too much alcolhol and acting outrageously. Relax and enjoy yourself. Cruising is a great way to travel and see the world.