Your next cruise may not be as safe as you think. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reveals a concerning upward trend in alleged criminal incidents reported on cruise ships. 

Overall incidents in the second half of 2025 rose approximately 17 percent compared to the first half of the year, according to the DOT.

The most significant and troubling increase is in sexually based offenses. Combined with reports of rape, these crimes consistently account for the majority of incidents on the chart.

Physical assaults remain high, too. While showing some fluctuation, assaults resulting in serious bodily injury are the second most frequent crime category, with a notable peak in the second quarter of last year.

(Note: the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act crime data is completely anonymized, and we don't know which cruise lines have the most reports. Maybe we need a new law to tighten the reporting requirements so that you can actually make a more informed decision about your next cruise.)

The primary driver is the industry's record-breaking passenger growth—a massive increase in the number of people onboard inevitably leads to a higher raw count of incidents. That's compounded by a unique vacation environment where alcohol and lowered personal defenses can facilitate crimes like sexual and physical assault, which make up the majority of reports. Finally, broader societal shifts have likely led to an increased willingness among victims to report sexual misconduct, contributing to the higher numbers seen in the data.

There are ways to avoid trouble at sea.

Finally, report incidents immediately. If you're the victim of a crime, report it to the ship's security and medical staff right away. Prompt reporting is crucial for preserving evidence. You can also request that the FBI be notified after you get back to a U.S. port. Experts say the actual crime numbers may be far higher than the DOT reports because people still don't always speak up.

The takeaway: For the overwhelming majority of the millions of passengers who cruise annually, a cruise is safe and uneventful. But the data suggests that cruise ships are not immune to crime. While the absolute number of reports is small relative to the total number of travelers, the recent upward trend is a cause for concern. Cruising can be a safe vacation choice, but it requires that you shed any sense of false security and practice the same common-sense personal safety measures you would use on land.

Imagine this: You buy a new dishwasher, but two days later, your kitchen fills with smoke. The stench of burnt plastic hangs thick in the air, and water pools across your floor. Turns out the heating element failed on the new dishwasher and burned a hole straight through the machine.

For Sharon Hornbaker and her husband, Raymond, they didn't have to imagine. It happened with the brand-new GE dishwasher they'd purchased from Home Depot. 

Here's the full story.

If you're flying somewhere soon, I've got some good news—and bad news.

Let's start with the bad news: Air travelers without a Real ID or other acceptable identification will face a mandatory $45 fee to fly beginning February 1. The Transportation Security Administration announced it will implement the charge as part of a new identity verification program called TSA ConfirmID.

Payment establishes a 10-day window for travel. If your trip extends beyond 10 days, you'll have to pay the fee again for the return flight.

The good news? 

The European Union has postponed the launch of its new travel authorization system, known as ETIAS, pushing the start date to the last quarter of 2026. The delay means U.S. travelers visiting Europe for the spring and summer 2026 travel seasons won't need to register or pay a fee to enter the region.

As always, there's some fine print. If you're paying the TSA's $45 fee, it's no guarantee you'll be cleared to fly. If the system can't verify your identity, you're grounded, and the fee is nonrefundable.

And an important note about ETIAS. There's been a reported uptick in the number of third-party sites that charge extra fees or collect personal data under the guise of processing these applications. Obviously, you don't need to worry about ETIAS this summer, so it'll be easy to avoid these sites—unless you don't read this newsletter.

(For verified updates and to access the application portal when it launches, visit the official European Union website.)

The idea that anyone would willingly pay extra just to speak to a human being signals just how bad customer service has become. But we need to draw a line. Customer service is part of the product you purchased, not an optional upgrade like extra legroom or a pass to the club lounge. When a company sells you a ticket, it makes a promise to support you if something goes wrong—regardless of how much you paid for your ticket. Charging a "human premium" breaks that promise. 

NOTE: Our members-only content on Elliott Confidential (a.k.a. the Red Newsletter), is free for the entire month of January. Enjoy!

Are you concerned about cruise ship safety? Or maybe you don't have a REAL ID? (I hope not.) Please let us know in the comments.