Although cruise ship murders are incredibly rare, they do happen. Murders are usually committed by a person that the victim knows and the majority of cruise ship murders involve arguments that escalate or a previous history of abuse.
In a year in which more than 13 million passengers boarded ships in U.S. ports, fewer than 100 serious crimes were reported to the FBI. The most serious crimes of homicides, suspicious death and missing passengers, totaled only 11 incidents during the five quarters we looked at.
Based on the reports that have been filed, we can estimate that around 200 people go missing from cruise ships each year. This shows that cruise ship disappearances are more frequent than most people realize.
Bottom line
So, are cruises dangerous? The answer is, generally, no. They're safe if you follow the same common-sense practices you'd use anywhere else.
What are the chances of surviving a cruise ship fall? Sadly, most cases—an estimated 85 to 90 percent—end in death.
Approximately 400 people have gone missing from cruise ships in the past 20 years. While this is no cause for general alarm, given that approximately 30 million people take cruise ship vacations each year, it is still a dangerous and concerning statistic.
If you wonder whether cruise ships have jails, the answer is yes. Jails are called brigs on a cruise ship and tend only to be used in serious circumstances when no other options are available. Cabin arrest is typically used before the brig is needed.
79% of all crimes reported onboard cruise ships are sexual assaults, as per the US Department of Transportation. This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of sexual assaults on cruise ships, and serves as a powerful reminder of the need for increased safety measures to protect passengers.
According to research compiled by the Daspit Law Firm, cruise ships have the lowest rate of deaths per billion passenger miles with 0.08. Compare that to 11.9 for rail travel, 3.3 for cars and trucks and 0.8 for commercial air, and traveling on the seas is a relatively safe venture.
As soon as an incident happens, cruise ship crew will activate a button that pinpoints the place where the person went into the water. The ship will then stop and turn back to that area. The ship and its crew will perform a lengthy search and rescue operation, lasting several hours.
The victim of the Quantum of the Seas cruise cruise ship drowning has been revealed as Brisbane man Warwick Tollemache. His family devastated family confirmed he had fallen overboard and remembered him as a "gentle soul" in an emotional statement.
Since 2018, seven people have been reported missing from cruise lines, according to archives provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The most recent suspicious death on a cruise ship happened between October and December of 2019. In 2018, three people were reported missing by Carnival Cruise Lines.
The vast majority of deaths on cruise ships are natural, with most the result of heart attacks.
Most cruise ships are required to have a morgue on board as well as enough body bags in case of an emergency. The body will be kept at the morgue until it can be disembarked at the next major port or at the port of origin. The cruise ship morgue is usually a stainless steel refrigerated room where bodies can be stored.
Cruise ship injuries are relatively rare compared to the number of passengers and crew members onboard. However, they do occur far more frequently than most of us realize. They certainly occur more frequently than is publicized in the media.
Lower Decks
In addition to picking a midship stateroom, which are usually spread out across several levels, it's also a good idea to opt for one that's below the water level. This is because this part of the ship, its lowest and most central area, is the most stable during rough sea conditions.
The back of the ship tends to be considered the next best cabin position after midships. Whilst the front of the ship gets the most movement the back also does get some. Whilst it's nowhere near as bad as the front of the ship, you may still notice some movement in rough seas.
Staff members are often not educated on recognizing and reporting signs of trafficking, and visiting so many foreign countries is easier than you think. Maritime law means nothing to these crooks. Human trafficking may also occur in cruising, and cruise ship crime is common.
According to a study, one in five people admitted to cheating on a cruise. I asked five people if they considered it cheating if you're in a different country. Four were adamant that cheating is cheating. One person said it doesn't count if you're in a different time zone.
As is the case on any vacation, theft can occur on cruise ships if you're not careful; the risk is even higher when you're in port, depending on the destination you're visiting.
Are there any firearms on cruise ships? Cruise ship security officers do not carry guns and you will never see a gun on a cruise ship. That doesn't mean that there isn't a hidden cache of firearms locked away for emergencies. Cruise lines do not release details of their security operations for obvious reasons.
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."
Cruise ships have a low risk of pirate hijack. Cargo ships are the primary target for pirates given their valuable load and minimal crew.