Cruise ship crime hits 2-year high, creating ‘dark cloud’ for industry

Crime rates on U.S. cruise ships have surged to a two-year high, with 48 reported crimes from January to March 2025, including 23 rapes and 10 sexual assaults. Expert Robert McDonald stated that these incidents create a “dark cloud” over the cruise industry, which relies on customer comfort and safety. Notable incidents include two arrests for child molestation on a Royal Caribbean cruise and a violent brawl involving Carnival passengers in Galveston, leading to 24 individuals being banned from future cruises.