Do Pirates Take Over Cruise Ships?

In over a decade, there have been no documented pirate attacks on cruise ships, with only a few unusual incidents. While yachts have been kidnapped and cargo vessels have been hijacked for ransom, there has never been a successful pirate attack on a cruise ship. Pirates do attack cargo vessels and oil tankers, so it is natural to wonder what would happen if pirates tried to take over a cruise ship. However, in some parts of the world, such as off the coast of Somalia, piracy remains an issue. MIAMI Cruise Lines say their crews and ships are well prepared for attacks like the one off the coast of Somalia last weekend when pirates fired rockets.

There have been some pirate attacks on cruise ships in areas off the coast of northeastern Africa, Malaysia, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of the Mediterranean. There has been little sign of terrorism spreading to the sea so far, but there is a real risk that migrant boats could have on board. Pirates do not roam in ocean-going vessels, but run in little powerboats with a very short range.

Despite ongoing concerns about pirate attacks, cruise ships employ proactive safety measures and advanced technologies to ensure passengers’ safety. In 2012, pirates attacked the Azmara Journey while in their small ships, but the crew and passengers used tactics to scare the pirates. Years ago, a terrorist group boarded and killed a passenger on a cruise ship called the Achille Laura.