Do cruise ships have jails? And what is a brig, anyway? - The Points Guy (2024)

FAQs

Do cruise ships have jails on them? ›

There are no police officers on cruise ships, but most vessels have small jails known as the brig, and unruly passengers could find themselves locked up if the ship's security team determines that they have violated the cruise line's code of conduct.

Cruise lawyer Spencer Aronfeld said cruise jails or “the brig” was absolutely a feature on passenger ships. As his clients can testify, these are for use to restrain unruly travellers at sea - passengers or crew - before they can be handed over to the relevant authorities.

It is not something you would normally think about, but, yup, on a ship like the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with a crew of 6,000, essentially a floating small town, there is a brig. What is a brig?

“Cruise ships are one of the safest vacation options in the world, with rates of serious crimes that are exceedingly lower than those on land due to multiple layers of security and the nature of cruising,” she told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

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.

Cruise lines don't have police onboard. Instead, they have security teams they employ. The captain has the ultimate authority in decision-making on the ship regarding what should happen to those suspected of criminal activity.

One intriguing aspect is the presence of morgues on cruise ships. Yes, you read that correctly – cruise ships do indeed have morgues, and the reasons behind this morbid necessity might surprise you.

Yes many cruise ships do, especially ones that sail in waters where modern day pirates operate or are suspected to be. Some have powerful water cannons that can be aimed over the side of the ship to repel any boarders.

A brig is a prison, especially a naval or military prison. This meaning comes from the fact that two-masted warships known as brigs were historically used as floating prisons. The word brig is a shortened form of brigantine, "a small, two-masted ship" with large, square sails.

What is the safest place on a cruise ship? ›

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.

While taking a cruise is a life-long dream for many people, the risk of serious injury or illness is always present. Anything from food poisoning to a slip and fall can ruin a vacation and have lasting health consequences. Serious injuries are unfortunately common on cruise ships.

The aim of a cruise ship jail is to hold a passenger for a short period of time until the threat subsides or until the cruise ship arrives at the next port, where they will hand over the passenger to law enforcement authorities if required.

The brigs themselves are very basic. Most are a simple room with a bed in one corner and little else. They have a similar design to modern jail cells. Many people imagine cruise ship jails to have iron bars and be similar to that which you'd find on a ship hundreds of years ago, fortunately, this is no longer the case.

It may involve house arrest in the offender's cabin with posted guards or actual incarceration in a specific cell. Larger ships are likely to have a padded or otherwise safe lockup room called a "brig."

The cruise line deploys dedicated care teams to provide emotional and logistical support to those affected, helping them navigate through the difficult time. The body of the deceased is respectfully stored in an onboard morgue until the ship reaches a port where further arrangements can be made.