Do cruise ships have jails? And what is a brig, anyway?
What do you do with a drunken sailor? Throw him in the brig until he's sober!
Now that I've got that 19th-century sea shanty stuck in your head, you might be wondering if modern-day cruise ships still have jails for unruly or non-rule-following passengers. I bet you also want to know what might land you in hot water while you're on the water — and whether being drunk will do it.
Listen up, so you can plan to leave your oh-so-stylish striped jumpsuit at home on your next cruise vacation.
Are there jails on cruise ships?
Yes, cruise ships have brigs, which is the nautical term for a jail on a vessel, including a cruise ship. The term comes from the word "brigantine," which is a type of two-masted sailing ship formerly used to house criminals.
Because cruise ships are like small towns (or, in the case of some of the largest vessels afloat, small cities), you'll find all types of people on board — including a few folks who don't know how to behave while on vacation. And while ships focus on the fun with bars, restaurants, theaters, spas and water parks, they also need to keep the experience safe for their passengers. Cue the brig.
However, what most cruise ships lack are actual police officers. Instead, cruise lines employ a security team for each vessel, but the team's level of authority can vary. Think less John McClane from "Die Hard" and more Paul Blart from "Mall Cop."
What is a cruise ship brig like?
Cruisers who break the rules could find themselves in the actual brig, but it's also possible that a passenger could be ordered to stay in his or her cabin with a member of the ship's security team stationed outside the door.
If it's determined that a guest must be moved to brig confinement, the person will be escorted to a bare-bones cabin — usually on a lower deck and likely with no windows — where there will be a simple mattress with bedding along with bathroom facilities. (Don't worry: They aren't cells in the typical sense. There aren't any sliding doors with bars.)
The door locks from the outside, meaning that passengers cannot let themselves out. Because of that, meals will be brought to them while they're serving their time.
What will land a cruiser in the brig?
If you break your cruise line's code of conduct — which is outlined in the cruise contract every passenger agrees to before they sail — you could find yourself behind proverbial bars during your voyage if the captain or a member of the ship's security team determines you're in violation.
Some slammer-worthy infractions include (but are not limited to) violence against crew members or other passengers, refusing to follow cruise ship safety rules, stealing from onboard shops and possession of drugs or other illegal items. Just being drunk isn't enough to get you thrown in the brig, though over-indulging could cause you to act irresponsibly and break rules that would cause the ship's security team to come and take you away.
When is a passenger released from jail on a cruise?
Generally, a passenger will stay locked up until he or she can be disembarked and turned over to authorities in a port of call. That could be at the vessel's next stop or it could be at the conclusion of the sailing, depending on the circumstances.
Got more cruise questions? TPG has answers:
- Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
- What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
- What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
- What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
- What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
- What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
- What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.