Cruise ships are like floating cities, with thousands of passengers from all over the world converging in a confined space for days or weeks at a time. With so many people interacting, occasional conflicts and criminal activities are inevitable. This raises an important question – do cruise ships have jails or holding cells onboard to detain unruly passengers?
Overview of Security on Cruise Ships
Most large cruise ships employ a professional security staff to maintain order and safety on board. They have a security office or station where officers monitor surveillance cameras, respond to incidents, and detain perpetrators if necessary. Security personnel include:
- Ship security officers – Employed directly by the cruise line to handle day-to-day security operations.
- Contract security guards – Hired through outside security companies to supplement the in-house security team.
In addition, cruise ships are required by maritime regulations to have a designated Ship Security Officer (SSO). The SSO oversees the entire vessel security plan, trains crew on security procedures, and serves as the main point of contact for security issues.
Brigs and Holding Cells on Cruise Ships
Most large cruise ships operated by major companies like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian do have short-term jailing facilities onboard that could be considered the equivalent of a brig on a naval vessel. These facilities go by various names:
- Brig
- Holding cell
- Detention cabin
- Security office
The size and setup of these facilities vary by cruise line and ship. They are not extensive full-scale jails, but are intended for temporarily detaining individuals who have committed crimes or violated serious policies until they can be disembarked or turned over to authorities at the next port.
Typical Features of a Cruise Ship Brig
- One or more sparsely furnished holding cells with steel doors/hatches, benches, and security cameras.
- May be located adjacent to the ship’s security office.
- Designed to securely detain people for hours or days, but not long-term incarceration.
- Access controlled by security personnel who monitor detainees.
- May have restroom access within the brig or escorted restroom trips.
- Used to hold maximum of 2-5 detainees at one time.
When Are Passengers Detained in the Brig?
Some of the main situations when a passenger might be confined to the ship’s brig or holding cell include:
- Assaulting other passengers or crew members.
- Sexual harassment or abuse.
- Possession of drugs or illegal contraband.
- Public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
- Theft or vandalism of ship property.
- Making verbal threats against others.
In most cases, detainees are held temporarily until local authorities can collect them from the ship at the next port to face criminal charges. The ship’s security personnel document all incidents and obtain statements from victims/witnesses to hand over to the authorities.
Limits on Detaining Passengers
While cruise ships can temporarily confine passengers who break laws and policies, there are limits on their authority to detain people against their will. These include:
- No excessive use of force – Security cannot beat or abuse detainees.
- Restricted duration – People can only be held until reaching the next port where they disembark.
- Access to necessities – Detainees must be provided food, water, restroom access, and any required medications.
- Notification of authorities – Security must promptly alert police/FBI of crimes committed.
- No unlawful restraint – Passengers cannot be confined without probable cause.
Cruise lines must follow maritime laws about handling onboard crimes and turn over serious matters to appropriate jurisdictional authorities onshore. Ship security serves mainly as a short-term means of preventing further issues until disembarkation.
Data on Cruise Ship Crimes and Arrests
Official data shows that serious crimes on cruise ships are rare, but arrests do occur for incidents across all major cruise lines.
| Cruise Line | Reported Crimes 2018 | Arrests 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | 92 | 55 |
| Royal Caribbean | 69 | 35 |
| Norwegian | 63 | 32 |
The most common crimes leading to onboard arrests are sexual assault, smuggling of drugs or prohibited items, theft, and physical assault.
Conclusion
Cruise ships have small brigs or holding cells to temporarily detain passengers who commit crimes or violate serious rules at sea. They provide a way to control dangerous situations and offenders until trained security staff can hand them over to law enforcement at the next port. While not full-scale jails, these holding facilities are essential for the safety of other passengers and crew.