In early 2025, over 40 serious crimes—including assaults and sexual offenses—were reported on US-based cruises from major lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. High-profile incidents, such as a child molestation case on Royal Caribbean and a passenger brawl at Galveston, have raised safety concerns. The industry faces growing scrutiny over transparency and calls for stronger regulations amid rising onboard crime during the post-pandemic travel surge.