Do Cruise Ships Have Jails? A Peek Behind the Scenes

Ever wondered what happens when someone misbehaves on a cruise ship? With thousands of passengers packed into a floating city, it’s no surprise that cruise lines are prepared for the occasional troublemaker. So, do cruise ships have jails? Yes, they do…sort of. Known as “brigs” in nautical lingo, these onboard detention areas are real, though they’re not quite the dramatic dungeons you might imagine. Here’s the lowdown on how cruise ships handle rule-breakers.

The Brig: A Cruise Ship’s Mini Lockup

Every major cruise ship—from Carnival’s Mardi Gras to Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas—has a small, secure room designed to temporarily hold passengers or crew who step out of line. These brigs are typically tucked away below deck, near the security office, far from the glitz of the pool deck or dining halls. They’re sparse but functional: think a narrow bunk, a toilet, and a locked door; no portholes or ocean views here. Cruise lines like Norwegian and Princess keep them low-key, often doubling as storage when not in use, but they’re always ready for action.

How common are they? Industry insiders estimate that 95% of large cruise ships (over 1,000 passengers) have a brig or equivalent space. Smaller luxury lines like Viking or expedition ships might skip them, relying instead on quick port turnovers to offload troublemakers.

Why Cruise Ships Need Them

Cruise ships operate under maritime law, meaning they’re their own floating jurisdictions. With no local police to call mid-ocean, security teams handle everything from petty theft to rowdy drunks. The brig steps in for serious incidents—like assaults, drug possession, or threats to safety—that can’t wait until the next port. In 2024 alone, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported over 200 security incidents across its member fleets, a tiny fraction of the 31 million passengers sailed but enough to justify these lockups.

Take a real case: in early 2025, a passenger on Carnival’s Vista was confined after a brawl over a karaoke dispute turned ugly. X posts buzzed about it, with one witness joking, “He’s got a solo suite now!” The brig held him until authorities met the ship in Cozumel.

What Lands You in the Brig?

Not every infraction gets you locked up—spilling a mojito won’t do it. Cruise lines reserve brigs for:

Violence: Fights or threats, like that karaoke chaos.

Illegal Activity: Smuggling drugs or weapons (yes, people try).

Disrupting Safety: Think drunk climbers on railings or tampering with lifeboats.

Crew Misconduct: Rare, but crew members can end up there too.

Lesser offenses, like skipping a bill at the bar, might just get you a stern warning or a ban from the casino. But cross a big line, and you’re in for a timeout.

Life in the Brig

Don’t picture a Hollywood jailbreak scene. Brigs are basic and boring, designed to isolate, not punish. You’ll get meals (likely from the crew mess, not the buffet) and a security guard check-in, but no Wi-Fi or room service. Stays are short, a few hours to a couple of days until the ship docks and local authorities take over. Cruise lines don’t mess around: serious offenders are often banned for life and handed over with a bill for their detour.

Updates: Tech and Transparency

Cruise security has evolved. Many ships now use advanced surveillance—think facial recognition on Icon of the Seas—to spot trouble early. Some lines, like Norwegian, have added “calm-down rooms” alongside their brigs: padded spaces for de-escalation before confinement. 

Transparency’s up too. After viral incidents (like a 2023 drug bust on Celebrity Beyond), cruise lines now quietly disclose brig policies in FAQs, assuring guests that safety’s priority one.

Fun Fact: Not Just for Pirates

The term “brig” nods to old naval ships, where troublemakers were locked in brigsantine compartments. Today’s versions are less pirate-y but just as effective. And no, you won’t be “walking the plank,” modern cruise lines prefer paperwork and handcuffs.

The Bottom Line

Yes, cruise ships have jails, or brigs, and they’re a practical piece of the safety puzzle. They’re rare in use, discreet in design, and a last resort for keeping the peace. So, enjoy that piña colada and skip the karaoke fisticuffs, nobody wants a vacation detour to the brig!