Do Cruise Ships Have Jails?

Cruise ships are floating cities on water, and just like cities on land, they have their own set of laws and regulations to maintain order and ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. However, with thousands of passengers and crew members on board, incidents can happen that require immediate attention, and sometimes that means detaining someone. That begs the question: do cruise ships have jails?

The answer is yes, most cruise ships do have some form of detention facility on board, commonly known as a “brig”. These facilities are typically small rooms located in the lower decks of the ship and are used to detain passengers or crew members who have broken the law or violated the ship’s rules and regulations.

But what kind of incidents would warrant a passenger or crew member being detained? The most common reasons include theft, assault, drug possession, and disorderly conduct. 

Process in the brig

The process for detaining someone on a cruise ship varies depending on the severity of the offence. If the incident is minor, such as a noise complaint, the offender may simply be warned and asked to keep the noise level down. However, for more serious offences, security personnel may be called to escort the offender to the brig.

Once in the brig, the offender will be held until the ship reaches its next port of call, where they will be handed over to local authorities for further processing. In some cases, the ship’s security team may work with local law enforcement to investigate the incident and determine the appropriate course of action.

It’s worth noting that the detention facilities on cruise ships are not intended to be long-term solutions. In fact, they are typically only used for a few hours or overnight at most. However, the mere presence of a brig on board helps to deter potential offenders from breaking the law or violating the ship’s rules and regulations.

While the idea of a jail on a cruise ship may seem unusual, it is a necessary precaution to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and crew members on board. And while the chances of ending up in the brig during a cruise may be slim, it’s always best to follow the rules and avoid any actions that could lead to trouble with the ship’s security team. Now you can answer: do cruise ships have jails?

Click here for more cruise ship information!