Do Cruise Ships Have Police?

Cruise ships do not have traditional police officers walking a beat, but they are far from lawless. Every large ship has a professional security team responsible for safety and order, plus a small holding cell, often called the “brig,” for emergencies. When a serious crime occurs, the crew documents it and reports it to the appropriate law enforcement agency, which is handled when the ship reaches port.

Who keeps order onboard

The ship’s security staff are trained personnel, often with military or law enforcement backgrounds, who patrol the ship, monitor surveillance cameras, and respond to incidents. They handle everything from breaking up disputes to investigating theft and managing intoxicated guests. The captain holds ultimate authority on the vessel and can detain a passenger who poses a danger to others.

Security also runs the screening you encounter at embarkation, where luggage is X-rayed and bags can be searched. Yes, you can be searched on a cruise, particularly if security has reason to suspect prohibited items.

The brig and detaining passengers

Most large ships do have a small secure room, the brig, used to hold someone who is violent, dangerous, or under arrest until the ship reaches port. It is rarely used, but it exists for situations where a passenger cannot safely remain among other guests. A detained passenger is typically handed over to authorities at the next port.

How serious crimes are handled

Jurisdiction at sea depends on factors like the ship’s flag country, where the incident happened, and the nationalities involved. In practice:

• Onboard security investigates and preserves evidence in the moment.
• Serious crimes involving US passengers or US ports are commonly reported to the FBI, which has authority over many incidents on cruises connected to the United States.
• Local police may take over when the ship is in or near a country’s waters.
• The cruise line cooperates with the relevant agency and may remove the involved passenger at the next port.

US-affiliated cruise lines are also required to report certain serious crimes, and ships maintain logs of incidents.

What it means for passengers

For everyday guests, the takeaway is that ships are well supervised. Security teams, cameras, and clear reporting procedures mean that crime onboard is handled seriously even without a uniformed police force. If you ever witness or experience something serious, report it to guest services or security immediately so it can be documented and escalated to the right authorities.

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Part of our Cruise Health & Safety hub.