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Generally, you will be held in the brig until the end of the cruise or the next port, when you will be disembarked and handed over to the authorities. Once a passenger is disembarked, the cruise line may take further disciplinary action against them. This can include banning them from future cruises, pressing charges, or pursuing legal action.
Do Cruise Ships Have Security?

The overall numbers are low when compared to the number of passengers. For example, in one year, 13 million passengers were reported aboard cruise ships in U.S. ports. Cruise ships tend to do this as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of all guests. The decision as to whether someone goes into jail or disembarks is up to the cruise ship captain. The cruise industry never advertises policies regarding crime or their facilities, but each cruise liner has a plan. This plan may include cabin arrest in the offender’s cabin with posted guards or being locked up in a cell on the cruise ship that only the crew can access.
Why Would Someone Be Placed in the Brig?
Cruise ships do indeed have jails, but they are known as brigs and are only used in extreme circumstances or as a last resort. There have been times where passengers have staged an accident in order to get a free cruise or money from the cruise line. When you think of a cruise ship, a jail cell is probably not what comes to mind. "It isn't the intention of the cruise line to keep guests here for any great period of time."
Is cabin arrest something that happens?
Cruise ship companies have policies for detaining rule-breaking passengers, and their jail systems are used to ensure the safety and security of other passengers and employees onboard. The jails found on cruise ships are typically small and basic, equipped with minimal facilities. They are not designed for long-term stays and are used only in rare cases. The ship’s security team or off-duty law enforcement officers on board will oversee the detention process. Now that I've got that 19th-century sea shanty stuck in your head, you might be wondering if modern-day cruise ships still have jails for unruly or non-rule-following passengers.
However, a ship security officer will only use a brig as a last resort. Unless the passenger is a security threat or has committed a serious crime, the likelihood of being thrown in a cruise ship brig is highly unlikely. Unlike traditional jails, the cruise ship brig is more about safety and security than long-term confinement.
What’s Inside A Cruise Ship Jail or Brig?
It’s important to note that although cruise ships may not have conventional jails, they do have protocols in place to manage any potential criminal activity on board. It is important for passengers to follow cruise ship regulations for a safe and enjoyable journey. This measure is in place to ensure safety and security of crew members and passengers and prevent disturbances onboard. It is important to note that this confinement is not meant as a punishment, but rather as a precautionary step. In this blog, we will explore whether there are jails on modern cruise ships and what happens if a passenger breaks the law. Below are the specific roles of individuals in a cruise ship security team.
Do Cruise Ships Have Other Security Measures?
The term ‘brigs’ originates from the navy, where a brig was a small prison on board a ship, used to hold unruly sailors until they could be disciplined or court-martialed. The remains are generally required to be in a biodegradable urn and some cruise lines require the entire urn to be tossed into the sea. Most people know cruises offer a great value and are nearly all-inclusive with good food, accommodations and entertainment.
Correctional facilities are Virginia's landlocked cruise ships • Virginia Mercury - Virginia Mercury
Correctional facilities are Virginia's landlocked cruise ships • Virginia Mercury.
Posted: Mon, 13 Apr 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Do Cruise Ships Have Jails – Here’s the Truth
Most of the security team comprises security staff who you will most commonly see around the ship. The cruise ship brig is like a small cabin, just large enough to fit a bed, toilet, and sink. The brig is usually located near the security office on the cruise ship. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel. We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations.
Third Disney Cruise Staffer Arrested for Possession of Underage Images
The existence of jails on cruise ships might seem surprising, but they ensure a safe environment for all passengers and crew. Minimizing passenger disturbances and handling crime are just a few of the responsibilities of operating cruise ships. Under U.S. law, cruise ships are considered common carriers and have a special duty of care owed to passengers. Liability for personal injury or death is clearly defined, and cruise lines have a duty to protect passengers from physical harm, including negligence. The jurisdiction for most major cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian, is in the Federal Court in Miami. For Princess, it is in California, and for Holland America, it is in Washington State.
It’s a legal requirement for every ship to have a ship security officer who’s responsible for the overall safety of the ship. Although cruise lines do have jails onboard, it isn’t the intention of the cruise line to keep guests here for any great period of time. More commonly, a person who needs to be detained will be placed under cabin arrest.
Some cruise ships offer full tours of the ship, including the lower decks that passengers don’t normally get to see. If the cruise ship brig is full, instead of using the holding cell, security may confine a guest to a cabin and guard the door 24/7 until they disembark at the end of the cruise. The brig is usually located beneath the passenger decks, near the security offices, and often near the cruise ship morgue. Each cruise line has its security team trained to handle various situations, ensuring appropriate measures are taken when a law is broken. Cruise ship jails are used to detain passengers or crew members who may have committed a crime or pose a serious threat to themselves or others on board.
I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world. As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! However, with so many CCTV cameras now, guests rarely get away with it. Along with this though, there will be other crew members with some security responsibilities and will also have been trained in specific measures. The word brig comes from the longer word brigantine, which means a small, two-masted ship.
Jails are called brigs on a cruise ship and tend only to be used in serious circumstances when no other options are available. If someone is suspected of committing a serious crime, like murder or assault, they can be put in the brig until the cruise ship reaches port. Serious crimes that occurred on cruise ships in 2020 were sexual assaults, with 22 incidents reported. The most recent reports outline the prevalence of serious crimes committed at sea.
It depends on how serious the crime was, and they will only be put in the brig as a last resort. If it is decided that someone has committed a serious crime onboard that requires detainment, the ship’s security team will detain the individual, often in the brig, until the ship reaches the next port. Local authorities will then handle the situation, as cruise lines cooperate fully with law enforcement and local government agencies. Passenger safety is at the utmost importance to the cruise industry, so if the cruise ship security team deems you've broken one of the ship's rules, then you could be put in the ship jails. Truthfully, issues like these are rare cases and not common on large cruise ships.
It is typically larger and more modern ships that have dedicated detention areas for potential criminals. If a crime happens on a cruise ship, the same will be dealt with by the cruise security department, and the person will be handed over to the local authorities in the next port of call. Also, it is to be noted that jails on cruise ships are rarely used, and cruise lines try their best to avoid putting guests on a brig. Because of this, it’s no surprise that some people do not know that the brig is even there. These small jails are on board for the most serious incidents that might occur onboard the ship by passengers who are suspected of breaking the law or causing a dangerous problem.
As a seasoned cruise-goer, I have had my fair share of adventures on the high seas. I recently went on a cruise and had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour where I saw the ship’s “jail” firsthand. In most cases, the captain will explore all other possible ways, like sending the person to cabin arrest. If nothing seems doable, the captain will be forced to send a person in question to the brig. If a person is found possessing illegal drugs or deadly weapons, they may be placed in jail before handing over to the local authorities.
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