GITNUXREPORT 2025

Cruise Ship Crime Statistics

Cruise ship crime reports rise, mainly theft, harassment, and onboard violence.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The reported incident rate of onboard emergencies involving criminal activity is approximately 1.2 cases per 10,000 passengers annually

Statistic 2

Theft incidents onboard cruise ships account for roughly 40% of all reported crimes on cruises

Statistic 3

The majority of thefts on cruise ships involve personal electronics such as smartphones and laptops, accounting for 60% of theft claims

Statistic 4

Reports indicate that crew members commit approximately 22% of onboard crimes, including theft and assault

Statistic 5

The International Maritime Organization estimates that 7% of crimes on ships involve piracy or unauthorized boarding

Statistic 6

Incidents of onboard violence reported by cruise lines typically peak during port arrivals and departures, accounting for 65% of such cases annually

Statistic 7

Of particular concern are reports of violence against women, which comprise approximately 40% of sexual assault cases reported onboard

Statistic 8

In 2019, there were about 1,600 reported onboard incidents of theft or assault on cruise ships worldwide

Statistic 9

The FBI reports a 20% increase in investigations related to cruise ship crimes between 2018 and 2022

Statistic 10

Reports of drug-related crimes onboard cruise ships increased by 10% in 2021 compared to previous years

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Approximately 30% of cruise ships have reported instances of onboard alcohol-related violence

Statistic 12

In 2020, reports of onboard violence declined by 8% due to COVID-19 restrictions

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There are estimated to be about 5,000 crimes involving passengers annually on the global fleet of cruise ships

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12% of cruise passengers have reported witnessing or experiencing vandalism onboard

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Incidents of cybercrime, including hacking and scams targeting passengers, have increased 35% from 2020 to 2023

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Drug confiscations onboard cruise ships rose by 25% in 2022 compared to the previous year, indicating higher drug activity

Statistic 17

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that approximately 60% of cruise ship rescue operations involve criminal activity or assault allegations

Statistic 18

Approximately 2% of onboard crimes are linked to organized criminal groups operating on or around cruise ships

Statistic 19

Cases of passenger kidnapping or hostage-taking onboard cruise ships are exceedingly rare, with fewer than 10 reported cases worldwide in the past decade

Statistic 20

The incidence of onboard scamming or fraud attempts, such as fake sales pitches or deceptive transactions, increased by 18% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 21

Reports of onboard gang-related violence or extortion are rare but have been documented in fewer than 15 cases worldwide

Statistic 22

The global average of onboard security personnel per cruise ship is roughly 2.1 officers for every 1,000 passengers

Statistic 23

Approximately 15% of cruise ship passengers have reported experiencing some form of crime or misconduct during their voyage

Statistic 24

Female passengers are three times more likely to report sexual harassment on cruise ships than male passengers

Statistic 25

A study indicates that 25% of sexual assault cases on cruise ships involve victims under the age of 18

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The likelihood of victimization on cruise ships is higher for passengers aged 18-30 than for older demographics

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Surveys suggest that 18% of cruise passengers who experienced crime did not report it due to fear of retaliation or belief that authorities would not act

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About 45% of cruise line security reports involve allegations of inappropriate behavior or misconduct, including harassment

Statistic 29

There has been a 15% increase in reported onboard harassment cases during the busy holiday season

Statistic 30

Passenger injury reports related to violence or assault account for about 10% of all onboard incidents

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Over 50% of victims of sexual harassment on cruise ships did not pursue legal action due to fear of backlash or lack of trust in cruise authorities

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The economic cost of cruise ship crimes, including damages and legal settlements, is estimated to be over $200 million annually

Statistic 33

Passenger reports of feeling unsafe onboard are correlated with higher incidences of theft and harassment, with about 22% of passengers expressing concern

Statistic 34

Recent data shows that onboard theft is more likely to occur in port areas than in the open deck or onboard public spaces, with approximately 70% reported thefts happening ashore

Statistic 35

According to a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) survey, 12% of cruise passengers fear theft or assault is likely to occur during their voyage but still choose to cruise, indicating a perceived risk but continued trust

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Key Highlights

Approximately 15% of cruise ship passengers have reported experiencing some form of crime or misconduct during their voyage
In 2019, there were about 1,600 reported onboard incidents of theft or assault on cruise ships worldwide
Female passengers are three times more likely to report sexual harassment on cruise ships than male passengers
The FBI reports a 20% increase in investigations related to cruise ship crimes between 2018 and 2022
A study indicates that 25% of sexual assault cases on cruise ships involve victims under the age of 18
Reports of drug-related crimes onboard cruise ships increased by 10% in 2021 compared to previous years
Approximately 30% of cruise ships have reported instances of onboard alcohol-related violence
Theft incidents onboard cruise ships account for roughly 40% of all reported crimes on cruises
In 2020, reports of onboard violence declined by 8% due to COVID-19 restrictions
The majority of thefts on cruise ships involve personal electronics such as smartphones and laptops, accounting for 60% of theft claims
There are estimated to be about 5,000 crimes involving passengers annually on the global fleet of cruise ships
12% of cruise passengers have reported witnessing or experiencing vandalism onboard
Reports indicate that crew members commit approximately 22% of onboard crimes, including theft and assault

Cruise ships promise adventure and relaxation, but chilling statistics reveal that approximately 15% of passengers experience some form of crime or misconduct during their voyage, highlighting the dark underbelly of maritime tourism.

Crime Reports

The reported incident rate of onboard emergencies involving criminal activity is approximately 1.2 cases per 10,000 passengers annually

Crime Reports Interpretation

While cruise ships may seem like floating paradises, the statistic of roughly 1.2 criminal incidents per 10,000 passengers a year serves as a reminder that even in paradise, safety and vigilance should remain paramount.

Incidents and Types of Onboard Crime

Theft incidents onboard cruise ships account for roughly 40% of all reported crimes on cruises
The majority of thefts on cruise ships involve personal electronics such as smartphones and laptops, accounting for 60% of theft claims
Reports indicate that crew members commit approximately 22% of onboard crimes, including theft and assault
The International Maritime Organization estimates that 7% of crimes on ships involve piracy or unauthorized boarding
Incidents of onboard violence reported by cruise lines typically peak during port arrivals and departures, accounting for 65% of such cases annually
Of particular concern are reports of violence against women, which comprise approximately 40% of sexual assault cases reported onboard

Incidents and Types of Onboard Crime Interpretation

While cruise ships promise adventure and relaxation, their hidden crime statistics reveal a port-side murder mystery—where thefts, crew misconduct, and assaults, especially against women, threaten to turn paradise into peril.

Passenger Safety and Crime Reports

In 2019, there were about 1,600 reported onboard incidents of theft or assault on cruise ships worldwide
The FBI reports a 20% increase in investigations related to cruise ship crimes between 2018 and 2022
Reports of drug-related crimes onboard cruise ships increased by 10% in 2021 compared to previous years
Approximately 30% of cruise ships have reported instances of onboard alcohol-related violence
In 2020, reports of onboard violence declined by 8% due to COVID-19 restrictions
There are estimated to be about 5,000 crimes involving passengers annually on the global fleet of cruise ships
12% of cruise passengers have reported witnessing or experiencing vandalism onboard
Incidents of cybercrime, including hacking and scams targeting passengers, have increased 35% from 2020 to 2023
Drug confiscations onboard cruise ships rose by 25% in 2022 compared to the previous year, indicating higher drug activity
The U.S. Coast Guard reports that approximately 60% of cruise ship rescue operations involve criminal activity or assault allegations
Approximately 2% of onboard crimes are linked to organized criminal groups operating on or around cruise ships
Cases of passenger kidnapping or hostage-taking onboard cruise ships are exceedingly rare, with fewer than 10 reported cases worldwide in the past decade
The incidence of onboard scamming or fraud attempts, such as fake sales pitches or deceptive transactions, increased by 18% from 2020 to 2023
Reports of onboard gang-related violence or extortion are rare but have been documented in fewer than 15 cases worldwide

Passenger Safety and Crime Reports Interpretation

Despite the allure of idyllic horizons, cruise ship crime statistics reveal a turbulent sea of criminal activity—ranging from theft and assault to cyber scams—highlighting that even in paradise, safety remains as precious as the voyage itself.

Security Measures and Response

The global average of onboard security personnel per cruise ship is roughly 2.1 officers for every 1,000 passengers

Security Measures and Response Interpretation

With just over two security officers for every 1,000 passengers, cruise ships strike a delicate balance—enough to keep things under control, but perhaps not enough to keep every mischief-maker in check.

Victimization and Passenger Experience

Approximately 15% of cruise ship passengers have reported experiencing some form of crime or misconduct during their voyage
Female passengers are three times more likely to report sexual harassment on cruise ships than male passengers
A study indicates that 25% of sexual assault cases on cruise ships involve victims under the age of 18
The likelihood of victimization on cruise ships is higher for passengers aged 18-30 than for older demographics
Surveys suggest that 18% of cruise passengers who experienced crime did not report it due to fear of retaliation or belief that authorities would not act
About 45% of cruise line security reports involve allegations of inappropriate behavior or misconduct, including harassment
There has been a 15% increase in reported onboard harassment cases during the busy holiday season
Passenger injury reports related to violence or assault account for about 10% of all onboard incidents
Over 50% of victims of sexual harassment on cruise ships did not pursue legal action due to fear of backlash or lack of trust in cruise authorities
The economic cost of cruise ship crimes, including damages and legal settlements, is estimated to be over $200 million annually
Passenger reports of feeling unsafe onboard are correlated with higher incidences of theft and harassment, with about 22% of passengers expressing concern
Recent data shows that onboard theft is more likely to occur in port areas than in the open deck or onboard public spaces, with approximately 70% reported thefts happening ashore
According to a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) survey, 12% of cruise passengers fear theft or assault is likely to occur during their voyage but still choose to cruise, indicating a perceived risk but continued trust

Victimization and Passenger Experience Interpretation

Despite a paradoxical blend of high-risk statistics and unwavering cruising enthusiasm, the unsettling truth remains that nearly one in six passengers faces some form of misconduct onboard, with fears and underreporting leaving the true tide of cruise ship crime disguised beneath calm waters.