Holding Cruise Lines Accountable For Lack Of Security After Sexual Assault

Cruise vacations are marketed as relaxing and safe, but unfortunately, serious crimes like sexual assault do occur on board. Our Atlanta, GA cruise ship sexual assault lawyer knows that when something like this happens, the cruise line may try to shift blame or downplay their responsibility. But in many cases, the company could have prevented the incident by taking reasonable safety measures. When a lack of security leads to harm, victims may have grounds to hold the cruise line legally responsible. We have been handling crime victim cases for more than 30 years, so reach out to learn how we can help you.

Understanding Negligence

Sexual assaults on cruise ships often happen in isolated areas such as passenger cabins, crew quarters, or poorly monitored public spaces. While no environment can be made completely risk-free, cruise lines have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect passengers. This includes hiring properly screened crew members, installing surveillance systems, monitoring access to restricted areas, and responding appropriately to complaints or warning signs.

If a cruise line failed to take these steps—or ignored reports of prior misconduct—they may be considered negligent. We may be able to file a civil claim to pursue damages for physical and emotional harm, medical expenses, lost income, and other losses resulting from the assault.

How Cruise Lines Can Be Held Liable

To pursue a case against a cruise line, we often need to prove that the company failed to provide adequate security or failed to act on known risks. Some examples include:

Lack of security cameras or active monitoring in key areas
Failure to investigate prior complaints about a crew member or passenger
Serving alcohol irresponsibly, contributing to a dangerous situation
Inadequate response to an incident once it was reported
Poor lighting or broken locks in passenger cabins or hallways

These types of failures may support a legal claim that the cruise line breached its duty of care. Maritime law, international law, and the terms of the cruise contract can all affect how a case is handled. Timing also matters—many cruise tickets have strict time limits for filing a claim, often much shorter than standard personal injury cases.

Challenges Survivors May Face

Unfortunately, cruise lines are often more focused on protecting their brand than helping victims. They may discourage reporting, delay access to medical care, or even pressure passengers to sign waivers. These tactics are not only unfair—they may also violate legal standards.

It’s also important to know that many cruise ships are registered in foreign countries, which can affect how and where a claim is filed. However, if the ship departed from or returned to a U.S. port, we may still be able to pursue a case under U.S. law. Gathering evidence quickly and documenting every step taken after the assault can be critical.

Holding Cruise Lines Accountable For Lack Of Security After Sexual Assault