What Happens if You Commit a Crime on a Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

If you have ever wondered what happens if you commit a crime on a cruise ship, you are not alone. Millions of people each year take to the seas in search of adventure, relaxation and escape. Unfortunately, with the thousands of people on board, there will always be some who are intent on breaking the law.

The consequences for committing a crime on a cruise ship vary depending on the severity of the crime and the applicable jurisdiction. Generally speaking, crimes that are committed on board a cruise ship fall under either federal or international law. Federal crimes include things like drug trafficking and smuggling while international laws cover crimes such as assault or theft.

In most cases, when someone commits a crime on board a cruise ship they will be detained by the crew and handed over to local authorities once they reach their next port of call. Depending on the circumstances, this could mean being deported back to your home country or even being arrested and processed for criminal charges in the country where the port is located.

In some cases, if two countries have an extradition treaty in place then it may be possible for someone who has committed a crime aboard a cruise ship to be extradited from one country to another in order to face trial for their offences. This is particularly common when dealing with serious offences such as drug trafficking or terrorism-related activities.

The punishment for committing a crime onboard can also vary depending on which country’s jurisdiction is applied. In many cases, people found guilty of committing serious crimes can face lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines depending on their particular circumstances. Furthermore, many countries may not recognize any type of plea bargain agreements that may have been offered by authorities in other countries which could mean even harsher punishments than would normally be expected under normal legal proceedings.

Conclusion:

Committing a crime onboard a cruise ship can have serious consequences including detention by crew members, deportation back to one’s home country or even extradition between countries depending on their respective treaties and laws in place at that time. Punishments also vary depending on which jurisdiction applies but generally speaking can involve lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines as well as other punitive measures such as criminal records or probationary periods.