Crime rates aboard cruise ships leaving the U.S. have reached a two-year high, and one expert says this creates a “dark cloud” for travelers.
A total of 48 crimes were reported on cruise ships between January 1, 2025, and March 30, 2025, according to information from the Department of Transportation. Among these incidents, there were 23 reported cases of rape, 10 cases of sexual assault, and seven cases of assault, all occurring onboard cruise ships.
Robert McDonald, a former Secret Service special agent and current criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven, highlighted to Fox News Digital the negative impact of crime on the cruise industry. McDonald, who has experience in coordinating security for dignitaries worldwide, emphasized the significance of addressing security issues in the industry.
Jose Prudencio Diaz, 36, and Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal, 37, faced charges related to child molestation and exposing a child while onboard an Independence of the Seas cruise ship, as confirmed by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Royal Caribbean.
The victim was identified as a 14-year-old boy who told police he was in the ship’s sauna when Diaz and Leal allegedly began masturbating in front of him.
According to records from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Diaz and Leal forced the victim to touch them. Leal also allegedly forced the minor to perform a sex act.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X: “We WILL get these sickos out of our country.”
One recent incident involved dozens of Carnival Cruise Line passengers who got into a brawl while disembarking from a ship April 26. In a video posted to social media, several cruise passengers push through crowds in the Port of Galveston cruise terminal.
Passengers departing a Carnival Cruise Line ship in Galveston were involved in a brawl. (Trelle Ray/Facebook)
Passengers exiting a Carnival Cruise Line ship in Galveston were involved in a brawl. (Trelle Ray/Facebook)
During the fight, which happened in the cruise port, people can be seen punching and kicking others.
Carnival Cruise Line placed 24 passengers on a “do not sail list,” prohibiting them from getting aboard any of the company’s ships. A spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line previously told Fox News Digital it doesn’t tolerate violence.
“The matter was turned over to law enforcement,” the spokesperson said. “We will not tolerate such behavior, and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Carnival and Royal Caribbean for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
