US cruise ship crime at two year high
Reported crimes on US based cruise ships are at a two-year record high, according to new data from the Department of Transportation,
There were 48 crimes reported onboard cruise ships in the first quarter of 2025.
Almost half were rape allegations, 10 were sexual assaults and seven were physical assaults.
The DOT compiles data only for sexual and physical assaults, deaths and missing persons, and high value thefts.
Other crimes such as opportunistic thefts of small items aboard cruise ships are not recorded.
It comes as cruise tourism capacity and demand continues to rise.
Last year, the FBI investigated 168 cruise ship crimes, with rape, sexual and physical again most common.
Don Gay, FBI officer based at Galveston cruise port in Texas says that alcohol plays a role in about 80% of alleged crime reported to the Feds.
Galveston, the fourth busiest cruise port in the US, recently it the headlines after a mass brawl in the terminal building.
Carnival Cruise Line responded by banning 24 customers from travelling with them again.
“We will not tolerate such behavior,” the cruise line said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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