Legal Issues Facing the Cruise Industry

Cruise Ship Crime 1 

Running head: LEGAL ISSUES RELEVANT TO CRUISE SHIPS

A Qualitative Study of Victimization and

Legal Issues Relevant to Cruise Ships

Caitlin E. Burke

University of Florida

Cruise Ship Crime 2 

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to conduct a qualitative study examining the litigation

process of U.S. citizens who were victims of crime while aboard a cruise ship. Data was

collected through interviews with female U.S. citizens who were victims of sexual assault. All

participants interviewed pursued litigation post assault, bringing claim against the cruise line

and/or assaulter. Interviews are intended to capture the most prevalent maritime laws used today.

Data was compared on a case-to-case basis, focused on court case outcome. Once data was

collected, comparisons were made and conclusions drawn as represented in the results. This

project does not encompass all of the laws and statutes applicable to the cruise line industry.

Cruise line corporations are registered under several foreign countries. The differing laws

amongst these countries affect which jurisdiction and subsequent laws apply. Maritime law is a

complex legal system that differs greatly from federal and state law. Laws intertwine in

international waters creating a sea of confusion with regard to which country is responsible for

crime reporting and prosecution. In particular, differences among cruise line contractual

agreements will often dictate different requirements in which to adhere. The laws discussed

throughout this project were found to be enforced in various cases involving U.S. citizens.

Cruise Ship Crime 3 

A Qualitative Study of Victimization and

Legal Issues Relevant to Cruise Ships

Cruise Line History

Whether the disaster in 1912 or the 1997 blockbuster hit, Titanic is perhaps the

most well known and documented cruise of all time. However, the cruise industry today

is not associated with icebergs and disasters, but...