Health under scrutiny as cruise-ship deaths and crimes rise at sea

A growing string of deaths and serious crimes aboard cruise ships has intensified scrutiny of safety at sea, with experts warning the industry’s unique environment and fragmented legal framework create gaps in accountability. While ships have long been a vacation staple, investigations and lawsuits in recent years have highlighted a troubling mix of violent incidents, unexplained disappearances and contested jurisdictions that complicate both prevention and response.

Beyond high-profile headlines, authorities say that crime reporting on vessels has historically been inconsistent, and the remote setting—often far from U.S. soil—can hinder rapid investigations and clear prosecution. The FBI has signaled that it is weighing whether state or federal charges should apply in the case of a Florida teen, Anna Kepner, who died aboard a Carnival cruise ship; officials described the matter as an ongoing, high-priority inquiry that could hinge on jurisdiction and the ship’s status during the incident.

Experts point to a broader pattern: when passengers are effectively in a captive environment for days at a time, the social dynamics can shift, and processes for documenting and pursuing alleged crimes can lag. "Just like subways invite crime because criminals have a ‘captive audience,’ cruise passengers are ‘captive’ for an even longer time, as jumping off into the ocean is not really an option," said Dr. Carole Lieberman, a forensic psychiatrist. "A cruise ship feels like a world unto its own. It feels like you’re on another planet or at least another country, so it seems like there are fewer consequences." Chicago-based attorney Andrew Stoltmann echoed that sentiment, noting maritime law is deeply complex and changes with location. "Maritime law is extremely complex, and it shifts depending on location. Whatever flag the ship flies, that law is applicable while the ship is sailing. But while the ship is docked, it is that country’s law that applies. This makes it extremely complex," he said.

Ultimately, experts say a mix of relaxed inhibitions and inconsistent reporting methods fuels headlines about murders, rapes and missing travelers on the high seas. They caution that the perception of cruise ships as highly secure—often aided by private security forces—can obscure gaps in actual policing and legal protections on the water. "There’s obviously a perception by the public that these cruise ships are very safe, and they have their own police force or security force," Stoltmann said. "Unfortunately, this usually simply isn’t true. And because these ships are often in international waters, many of the same legal protections we enjoy here in the United States simply aren’t applicable on the high seas."

In recent years the coverage has grown more personal: unsolved disappearances, family lawsuits and high-profile homicides have fed a narrative of danger at sea even as thousands of passengers travel each week without incident. The most discussed cases span decades, underscoring how the industry has been haunted by a string of tragedies and contested legal outcomes. In 1998, Amy Bradley vanished from a Royal Caribbean International cruise with her family while the ship was near Curaçao. Investigators never charged anyone in relation to her disappearance, and the case remains unresolved despite extensive searches and a cascade of theories, including potential foul play being ruled out at the time. The Bradley case has since become a touchstone in discussions about missing-cruise-ship cases and the limitations of on-board investigation when outside jurisdictions apply.

In another notable chapter, a 2017 Alaska cruise ended in tragedy when Kenneth Manzanares killed his wife, Kristy, in the couple’s stateroom in front of their children. Prosecutors described a brutal assault that left Kristy with a fatal head wound after a fight over a divorce. Manzanares was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2021, though his death in a Juneau jail cell weeks into his sentence prompted authorities to rule out foul play. The case has become part of discussions about how domestic violence cases are handled in the cruise context and how investigations are coordinated when a ship is near American soil or international waters.

In Florida, 18-year-old Anna Kepner was found dead in her family’s cabin on the Carnival Horizon during a family cruise. Authorities said the death appeared to be a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation, and the FBI said it was weighing whether charges should be pursued against a 16-year-old stepsibling who is considered a potential suspect. No arrests have been announced, and Kepner’s death has further intensified debate over cruise-line safety protocols, passenger screening and the handling of onboard medical and security incidents.

Last year, a wrongful-death lawsuit spotlighted another health-safety concern on a Royal Caribbean ship. Michael Virgil, who had boarded Navigator of the Seas with his fiancée and their child, was allegedly served more than 33 drinks under the ship’s beverage package and restrained during an incident that ended in his death. A medical examiner later ruled the death a homicide, citing the combined effects of mechanical asphyxia, obesity, cardiomegaly and ethanol intoxication. Virgil’s family filed a lawsuit under the Death on the High Seas Act, seeking damages for loss and suffering and accusing crew members of excessive force during the restraint. Royal Caribbean did not respond to requests for comment by Fox News Digital, but the family’s attorney argued the incident underscored systemic safety failures and the need for reform in the industry.

The breadth of these cases has spurred calls for broader, systemic changes within the industry. Advocates say stronger reporting standards, clearer jurisdictional guidelines and greater transparency around onboard security practices are essential to protecting travelers’ health and safety. Critics contend that without uniform standards, victims’ families may struggle to obtain accountability, and the public may continue to perceive cruise travel as safer than it is in practice.

The legal framework that governs crimes on ships—dependent on flags, docking ports and the location of the vessel at the time of an incident—continues to complicate investigations and prosecutions. The tension between maritime law and domestic criminal law means that the same act may be prosecuted under different jurisdictions depending on whether the ship is sailing or docked. And because many ships operate under foreign flags or visit multiple jurisdictions, actors on board may evade the same protections that exist on land, complicating investigations, witness collection and victim support.

The health and safety implications extend beyond criminal cases. Alcohol overconsumption, medical emergencies and the use of sedatives or restraints aboard ships raise questions about crew training, medical facilities and crisis response plans. Health professionals and legal experts alike say cruise operators must balance guest safety with operational realities on the water, ensuring that policies reflect best practices for medical care, security intervention and safeguarding vulnerable passengers, including minors and those with disabilities.

As the industry confronts these challenges, observers stress that progress will require not only stronger enforcement but also greater collaboration among U.S. authorities, maritime agencies and cruise companies. The goal, they say, is to translate heightened awareness into measurable improvements in health outcomes, incident reporting, and the accountability mechanisms that follow when tragedies occur at sea.