Has Anyone Ever Been Murdered on a Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

Cruise ships are a popular vacation destination for many people, but the idea of being on a large ocean-going vessel can often bring up fear of crime and even murder. Although rare, there have been reports of murders happening on cruise ships over the years.

One of the most well-known cases occurred in 2005 when George Smith IV went missing from his honeymoon cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas. His body was never found, but investigators believed he had been murdered. His wife and her family were named as suspects, but no one was ever charged with his death.

In 2011, a British woman was murdered by her husband on board a P&O Cruises vessel. The couple had been arguing and her husband stabbed her multiple times with a broken wine bottle before jumping overboard himself. He was later arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

In 2013, an American man was found dead in his cabin on board a Carnival Cruise ship after being strangled by his wife. She claimed it had been an accident and she was acquitted of all charges.

More recently, in 2018 a passenger aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas died after an altercation with security officers. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

Conclusion:

Has anyone ever been murdered on a cruise ship? Unfortunately, yes – there have been several cases over the years that have ended in tragedy for some passengers or crew members onboard cruise ships. It is important to be aware of your surroundings when travelling on these vessels and take precautions to ensure your safety at all times.