Do Cruise Ships Have Jails?

The cruise dreamer's vision portrays bright sun, cruises, beautiful views, night sky beneath the stars. However, they usually don’t think about the jails which cruise ships keep on board. Nonetheless, it is a fact—nearly every big cruise ship has a controlled area for detaining, better known as the cruise brig.

As odd as it may seem or even if it is regarded as overly dramatic, the jails on board are considered part of the maritime safety measures. As a part of their security, cruise lines need a means of dealing with incidents involving the dangerous or illegal actions of passengers or threats to others. This guide will take you to the cruise ship jails, explain how they function, who is sent there, and what occurs behind the scenes.

Do Cruise Ships Actually Have Jails?

Cruise ships have jails, and they have been around for a long time. It is a common misconception to equate such facilities with the large and horrible cells that are usually depicted in movies. A jail on a cruise ship is, in fact, a tiny room that is locked and secured to keep passengers that are likely to hurt themselves or others.

Most people are not aware that ships are bound by maritime law to provide a means of detention. Thus, when someone asks the question "Is there a jail on a cruise ship?" the answer is undoubtedly yes.

Cruise lines may not promote their jails but today almost all major ships have such facilities including:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• And many others large vessels

The facilities differ in type and size, and the goal is always the same: safety and control.

Why Cruise Ships Have Jails on Board

On a cruise ship, a jail is not intended for long-term punishment. It is a temporary holding area that is used only when necessary. Here are the main reasons for their existence:

1. To handle dangerous or violent behavior

Security personnel are called in when a passenger gets abusive, threaten, or gets involved in a physical fight. The ship's jail keeps the matter under control until the authorities on land can take over.

2. To confine drunk passengers

Drinking is a significant part of the entertainment on cruises. Occasionally, drinking leads to annoying and risky behaviors. In case a person is very drunk and aggressive, the captain may send him/her to the brig for safety reasons.

3. To separate users engaged in serious crimes

Although rare, crimes committed on cruise ships can occur even in the best cruise lines. The incidents of assault, theft, fraud, or drug possession could cause the accused to be held up until the ship arrives at the port and the police come on board.

4. To keep discipline when there is no land in sight

The ships often make long voyages without stopping. The crew must have a place to secure the troublesome passengers until the local police arrive. A cruise jail performs this function exceptionally well.

What Does a Cruise Ship Jail Look Like?

If you are thinking of a scene with rows of bars and prison uniforms, you are mistaken. The interior of a cruise ship jail is basic, hygienic and very secure. Though the configurations of the cruise lines may differ a bit, these are the common characteristics of most cruise ship jail cells:

• Small, simple rooms: A cruise brig generally comprises one to several tiny rooms built with metal, furnished with a bed or cot and sometimes, a toilet. Hygiene and safety have been prioritized with minimal comfort.
• Locked and watched: These parts of the ship are under very tight security. Only a handful of chosen officers can enter there. Frequently, the cells are also equipped with video cameras to ensure additional safety.
• Positioned away from guest areas: Generally, the prison is on crew-only decks at the back of the ship. This location provides privacy and stops other guests from coming close to the area.
• Not a place for punishment: The idea is not to treat badly but to contain. The people upon detention are watched, given the minimum needs, and kept secure until the judicial authorities on land take over.

There are some curious sailors, and they search for cruise ship jail pictures, but the cruise lines usually do not make such images available for reasons concerning both safety and privacy.

Who Gets Put in a Cruise Ship Jail?

Most travelers are well-behaved, but certain circumstances might cause someone to be held. Among the various reasons, a person could end up in a cruise ship jail, the following are the most notable:

• Violence or fighting: This is the most frequent reason couples or friends are separated and one of them ends up in the brig.
• Gender-based or sexual assault cases: The person concerned may be held pending the ship's return to port owing to the seriousness of the charges.
• Drug possession: Illegal drugs are strictly forbidden by cruise lines. If a staff member discovers a substance in a passenger's cabin, that person may be taken to the brig.
• Excessive intoxication: There are occasions when passengers drink to the point where they become a danger to others. Temporarily being held can avoid such situations.
• Vandalism or malicious destruction of property: Both acts receive fines or removal in retribution.
• Threatening behavior: Verbal threats can result in immediate detention.
• Stowaways: It isn't very frequent, but it does occur from time to time.

The brig on a cruise ship is used only for the most severe cases. Generally, the offenders of the minor rules receive warnings or are confined in their cabins.

How Cruise Security Handles Incidents?

Cruise lines have huge, trained security teams that could be compared to a miniature police department, and they also adhere to intricate maritime safety procedures.

In the event a security-related incident occurs:

• Security personnel are summoned without delay.
• The officers evaluate the circumstances, and they segregate those involved.
• The passengers may be interrogated or subjected to breathalyzer tests.
• If the behavior is reckless, they might be taken to the ship's jail.
• The authorities at the next port receive all the officers’ documentation.
• Security is the number one priority and for that reason jail is used only when necessary.

Do Kids or Teens Ever Get Put in Cruise Ship Jail?

It almost never happens.

In case a minor is the one who is causing trouble, the first thing the security team does is to contact the parents or guardians. The most frequent punishment is getting cooped up in the cabin or being restricted access to certain parts of the ship.

In very extreme situations, the family might be disembarked at the next port.

What Are the Consequences When a Person Is Confined to the Cruise Brig?

Detained people are not permanently confined. The next steps greatly depend on the specific scenario:

• Next port removal: The local authorities get on board the ship and take the suspect’s place if a crime has been committed.
• Disembarkation: A cruise line may decide to get rid of a passenger and prohibit him/her from future sailing.
• Cabin confinement: Some guests may later be transferred from the brig to their cabin but under supervision.
• Legal action: If the local police conclude that charges should be filed, the person may be prosecuted.

Brig is not the only safety measure in the scheme of things. Cruise lines prioritize safety very highly, so the brig ensures immediate control until professionals take over.

Do All Cruise Ships Have Jails?

All large cruise ships have cages almost without exception, though the extent and arrangement differ. Occasionally, smaller ships contain merely a holding room or might resort to cabin confinement instead.

Branded cruise lines having brig are as follows:

• Carnival cruise jail
• Royal Caribbean cruise jail
• Disney cruise jail
• Norwegian’s brig system
• MSC and Holland America

If your question is, "Does every cruise ship have a jail?" the answer is no but almost every major ship. However, smaller or older vessels may have limited facilities.

Are Cruise Ship Jails Publicly Shown?

No. Generally, cruise lines prefer not to talk about their jails or take the passengers to the brig. This is not only because it is a security area but also because public sharing of photos could endanger safety.

Thus, cruise ship jail photos are infrequent and most often stem from news reports or documentaries—not the cruise lines themselves.

Cruise Ship Jails Mythology

Myth 1: The brig is similar to a real prison

Truth: It is uncomplicated, neat, and protected—there is nothing theatrical about it.

Myth 2: People are locked up for insignificant matters

Truth: Security typically deals with minor issues using warnings or cabin confinement.

Myth 3: Prisons are concealed because cruise companies do not want to reveal them

Truth: They are not promoted but at the same time, they are not at all a secret. They are simply a part of safety measures.

Myth 4: The jail will be seen on a tour

Truth: Cruise companies always keep passengers away from the restricted security areas.

Cruise Ship Jail Visit or Tour?

Definitely not. These areas are off-limits for the sake of:

• Safety
• Privacy
• Security
• Legal compliance

Only security personnel and higher management have access to the region.

How To Stay Out Of the Brig?

Luckily, it is quite simple to avoid the cruise ship prison:

• Drink with moderation
• Observe the ship's regulations
• Steer clear of arguments
• Show consideration to crew and other passengers
• Do not carry any drugs or similar substances
• Keep your actions in check

If your conduct is that of an average, thoughtful person, you will never be in the proximity of the brig.

The Bottom Line: The Existence of Jails on Cruise Ships — For Safety Reasons

Indeed, cruise ships have jails, and they are a significant factor in maintaining the safety of all on board. These lock-up areas are not frequently occupied, still, when the situation demands it, they provide a non-public spot for security to hold people already flagged in the case of danger.

Be it aggressive conduct, severe crime, or excessive drunkenness—the cruise brig guarantees the maintenance of order until the ship arrives at a port of call where the law enforcement can take over.

For most passengers, this is something that they will never see or even hear of—but it is still comforting to know that such systems are in place.