Cruise ship crime reaches 2-year high, casting ‘dark cloud’ for travelers: expert
Share this @internewscast.com

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.

Information provided by the Department of Transportation reveals that during the period from January 1 to March 30, 2025, there were 48 crime allegations made onboard cruise ships. Of these incidents, 23 were reported as rapes, 10 were sexual assaults, and seven were assaults, all occurring on cruise vessels.

Robert McDonald, a former Secret Service special agent and criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven, told Fox News Digital crime negatively affects the cruise industry. McDonald has coordinated security for various dignitaries around the world.

Jose Prudencio Diaz, 36, and Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal, 37, mugshots over a photo of an Independence of the Seas cruise ship

Jose Prudencio Diaz, 36, and Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal, 37, were charged with molestation of a child and exhibition on a child on an Independence of the Seas cruise. (Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office/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 exiting a Carnival Cruise Line ship in Galveston were involved in a brawl.

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.

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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Officials Release Identity of Man Who Opened Fire at Texas Border Patrol Facility

Authorities Disclose Name of Shooter at Texas Border Patrol Site

Authorities have identified the shooter as 27-year-old Ryan Louis Mosqueda, who reportedly…
Man catching baby dropped from window.

Heroic Caretaker Bravely Rescues Four Babies from 6th-Floor Fire in Paris, Balancing on Thin Ledge

THIS is the dramatic moment a hero caretaker rescues four babies from…
Eric Adams seeks to register 1M new voters to defeat socialist Zohran Mamdani in NYC mayoral election

Eric Adams Aims to Register 1 Million New Voters to Challenge Socialist Zohran Mamdani in NYC Mayoral Race

It’s a million-to-one shot. Mayor Eric Adams wants to register 1 million…
Man arrested in connection to deadly block party shooting in Jacksonville

Arrest Made in Fatal Jacksonville Block Party Shooting

Stephan Smith, 23, has been arrested in connection to 18-year-old Xzaria Randall’s…
Grief-stricken mother demands 911 dispatcher reform

Heartbroken Mother Calls for Overhaul of 911 Dispatcher System

Cheryl Collins called 911, pleading for assistance to save her daughter’s life.…
Family photo of John and Julia Burgess with their two children.

Parents Perish in Texas Floods After Father Holds Onto Missing Sons, Leaving Orphaned Daughter

A LITTLE girl has been left orphaned after the devastating Texas floods…
PETA sues AKC over breed standards for Frenchies, pugs and more

PETA Files Lawsuit Against AKC Over Breeding Rules for French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Other Breeds

PETA argues that the influential club is promoting unhealthy physical features. NEW…
Passengers will no longer have to take their shoes off at the airport

Airport Passengers Can Skip Removing Shoes During Security Checks

Nearly 20 years after airline passengers were first required to remove their…
Stephen Miller Is Fed Up, Sounds the Alarm to Protect ICE Agents From 'Inspiring Domestic Terrorism'

Stephen Miller Expresses Frustration, Urges Safeguards for ICE Agents Against ‘Encouraging Domestic Terrorism’

Recently, the situation has become increasingly perilous for ICE and Border Patrol…
Mayor Brandon Johnson discusses 4th of July violence, future of NASCAR Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson Addresses 4th of July Violence and the Future of NASCAR in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is open to bringing…
AI-powered Rubio impersonator makes calls to foreign ministers, other top officials: report

AI-Driven Marcos Rubio Clone Allegedly Contacts Foreign Ministers and High-Ranking Officials: Report

An enigmatic individual posing as Secretary of State Marco Rubio has contacted…
Trump will attend FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium

Trump to Attend FIFA Club World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium

President Donald Trump has announced that he will attend the FIFA Club…