WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released a report that exposes critical barriers to public access of important cruise ship crime and safety data. The reality is, according to the report, the number of alleged crimes cruise lines have reported to the FBI since 2011 is 30 times higher than the number of crimes the FBI is required to report publicly.

And crimes committed against minors are not publicly reported at all. Cruise lines sell their “dream vacations” as simple and fun trips that are family friendly. When parents do not have access to any data about crimes and sexual assaults against minors, how can they be sure their children will be safe aboard a cruise ship.

“Nearly 21 million Americans will take a cruise this year, but I think they should know
what their real risks are before they book their next vacation,” said Rockefeller. “Our oversight uncovered that the number of alleged crimes on cruise ships is significantly higher than the number that is publicly reported – and consumers deserve to know this.”

Rockefeller introduced legislation yesterday, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act, that would close the gap between crime reporting requirements so passengers can access the total number of alleged crimes committed on cruise ships. Currently, per existing law, the FBI is only required to disclose crimes that have been solved, not alleged crimes. Rockefeller’s staff reviewed those alleged crimes and discovered that since 2011, cruise lines have reported 130 of such alleged crimes to the FBI, while only 31 alleged crimes were reported publicly.

Rockefeller released the report at today’s hearing where he focused on the challenges the cruise industry continues to face. Consumers need and deserve to know about the
true number of alleged crimes that occur on cruise ships, the limited consumer
protections that exist, and safety issues that continue to plague the industry
before they book their next vacation. Archived video of the hearing is
available here.

Professor Ross Klein testified at today’s hearing that at least 18 percent of sexual assault victims from October 2007 through September 2008 were younger than age 18, according to data from the FBI. Klein testified that one of the most effective ways to prevent sexual assault on cruise ships is for passengers to know the risk.

“Access to reliable data is important for passengers who have a right to know the relative risk, including between one cruise line and another and ideally between one cruise ship and another,” said Klein. 

The following chart illustrates the discrepancies that currently exist in the reporting of
crimes on cruises: 

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