Riding the Rising Tide of Cruise-Ship Crime: What Carnival Is Doing to Keep You Safe

Cruising with Carnival has long been synonymous with sunshine, sandy beaches and endless buffets—but recent data expose a troubling uptick in onboard crime, from large-scale brawls to sexual assaults. After logging 14 serious assaults in 2023 and 18 in 2024, Carnival has already reported 12 total crimes (including assaults, sexual assaults and thefts) in just the first quarter of 2025. As passengers grow more wary, Carnival is rolling out a multi-layered security response designed to restore confidence at sea.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

• 2023: 14 “brawl-style” assaults with serious bodily injury reported.

• 2024: 18 such incidents—an increase of nearly 30% year-over-year.

• 2025 (Q1): 12 total crimes already recorded, with full-year figures expected to climb.

By comparison, in the first quarter of 2025 other major lines reported fewer crimes: Royal Caribbean logged 9 incidents; Princess and Disney each reported 6; Norwegian and MSC each had 5; while Celebrity and Virgin Voyages reported 3 and 2, respectively.

Why Crime Is Surging—and Why Carnival Feels the Heat

Onboard conditions—a high-density crowd in confined spaces, easily accessed alcohol and 24/7 entertainment—can inadvertently fuel rowdy behavior. Carnival, which carries more guests per year than any other line, naturally sees more reports. Yet no cruise operator is immune. From a violent brawl of two dozen passengers in Galveston to disturbing reports of room intrusions, travelers and regulators are demanding action.

Carnival’s Comprehensive Security Overhaul

Carnival’s safety strategy now hinges on five key pillars:

1. Enhanced Passenger Screening

   
   

   • Denying embarkation to anyone with violent or sexual-offense convictions.

   • Routine background checks against public criminal databases.

   
   

2. “Do Not Sail” Blacklist Enforcement

   
   

   • Immediate placement of offenders on an industry-wide watchlist.

   • Close coordination with other lines to prevent banned guests from hopping ships.

   
   

3. Ubiquitous Surveillance & Access Controls

   
   

   • Expanded CCTV coverage in bars, lounges and gangway areas.

   • Pilot programs for biometric access to crew-only and high-risk zones.

   
   

4. Empowered Security Teams

   
   

   • Doubling onboard security officers on high-traffic sailings.

   • Specialized de-escalation and trauma-response training.

   
   

5. Real-Time Reporting & Transparency

   
   

   • In-app incident reporting for guests, with anonymous tips.

   • Monthly “Safety Snapshots” shared publicly, highlighting trends and outcomes.

   
   

Beyond physical security, Carnival is also investing in cyber safety, protecting critical ship systems from digital threats that could disrupt emergency communications.

How Carnival’s Peers Are Responding

• Royal Caribbean has rolled out “SafeCruise,” an in-app SOS button and expanded medical partners at every port.

• Norwegian now mandates a minimum on-duty security officer per cohort of 100 guests, plus random ID checks at pool areas.

• MSC has introduced AI-driven behavior-monitoring cameras in select ships, alerting officers to sudden crowd surges.

• Disney maintains its famously stringent “Four-Point Safety Check,” with metal detectors at embarkation and enhanced youth-escort protocols.

While each line tailors its approach, the industry is converging on shared priorities: rapid reporting, visible security, and collaboration—both across brands and with local law enforcement.

What This Means for Your Next Carnival Cruise

• Comfort in Vigilance: You’ll see more uniformed officers and security patrols throughout the ship—and know that any serious misconduct leads to immediate disembarkation and ban.

• Empowered Voice: Use the Carnival mobile app to flag concerns instantly; you can even report anonymously.

• Peace of Mind: With biometric trials, wider CCTV visibility and a strict guest-screening policy, Carnival aims to make every voyage feel as safe as it is fun.

Bottom Line: Crime at sea is on the rise across the industry, but Carnival’s aggressive security upgrades and cross-line cooperation are setting a new bar for passenger safety. By combining technology, policy and human expertise, Carnival is determined to ensure that your next cruise is all about white-sandy beaches—not headline-grabbing altercations.

Ready to set sail with confidence? Book your next Carnival cruise today and experience the safest voyage yet