Onboard Security: Do Cruise Ships Have Jails or Brig Facilities?

Do cruise ships have jails? is one of the few questions you might ask before sailing.

The short answer? Yes!

Cruise ships are a popular vacation option for people looking to relax and have fun while exploring new destinations.

While most passengers enjoy a great time on their cruise, some break the rules and engage in disruptive or inappropriate behavior.

In such cases, cruise lines adhere to particular measures to ensure the safety and security of all guests and crew members aboard a ship.

Do cruise ships have jails?

One way cruise lines address unruly passengers is by using an area on the ship known as the “brig,” a military prison, where passengers can be held for a short period until they get disembarked at the next port of call or until the ship reaches its final destination.

At that point, the guest is turned over to local authorities or the FBI, depending on the crime committed.

The code of conduct in the cruise line ticket contract outlines the expectations of passengers’ behaviors onboard their ships.

This code may vary from line to line, but generally, it includes provisions against assault, theft, and other disruptive behavior.

If passengers violate the code of conduct, they may be subject to disciplinary action, including being placed in lockdown or disembarked at the next port. 

For example, Carnival Cruise Line’s code of conduct says, “Consistent with our commitment to safety, disruptive behavior is not tolerated, and any guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests or crew will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.

“Any violation of our Code of Conduct may result in a fine of $500 and reimbursement of expenses incurred by Carnival due to the detainment or disembarkation.”

Where is the cruise ship jail located?

Typically, the jail onboard is below deck in the marshaling area where provisions are loaded or somewhere along I-95 (the route that runs through the middle of the ship).

However, cruise lines don’t use the onboard jail as much as they used to. Instead, many lines will confine guests in their cabins.

If trouble escalates or the guests pose a danger, they will be moved to jail until they are debarked.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to note that being placed in lockdown is not a punishment but a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members.

While in lockdown, passengers at fault are not allowed to leave the designated area and may be monitored by security personnel.

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