How Often Are Cruise Ships Attacked By Pirates?

Pirates pose a significant threat to cruise ships, as they are known to attack and hijack them to steal cargo or ransom passengers. In 2022, there was a decrease in pirate attacks against ships worldwide compared to the previous year, with only six reported incidents in the last decade. Cruise Passenger reports that there have been only two North American cruise ships attacked by pirates in the last five years, and in neither instance were the pirates able to board their ships.

In the past decade, there have been only six reported incidents of pirates attempting to attack cruise ships, with the most recent being over four years ago. Cruise lines have developed extensive measures to protect passengers and crew from potential pirate attacks, ensuring a safe and secure journey. However, there has been an assault and hijacking of a cruise ship in 1985, and there have been no documented pirate attacks on cruise ships in over a decade.

Some unusual fringe incidents include the capture of ships off the Somali coast, India, Hong Kong (United Kingdom), Island Splendor (United Arab Emirates), and Aris 13. In 2009, pirates captured a cruise ship but quickly released it when they realized there were no passengers aboard. Overall, pirate attacks on cruise ships are extremely rare, with only six reported incidents in the last decade.