Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

If you were docked, you report it to the police where you were docked: Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Cozumel, etc.

If you were at sea, it becomes very complicated.

You're going to have to find out from the cruise line where you were when this happened. If you were still in Florida waters, you need to know what county you were closest to and report it the sheriff's office in that county. They, or the State Attorney's Office, may refer you to the FBI, because it's difficult to prove what county a crime occurred in while at sea. Cruise ships are known for being uncooperative about helping people who are crime victims while aboard. The FBI may simply tell you they don't investigate batteries at sea or that they can't be sure you were in Florida waters at the time.

If you're not sure you were in Florida waters, then a type of law called admiralty law applies. International law says only certain crimes can be prosecuted in the U.S. when they happen in international waters. These include things like piracy, terrorism, or drug crimes, but not battery.

So that means the crime must be prosecuted under the laws of the country where the ship is registered. That may be Norway or Panama or anywhere, but it's almost never the U.S. You'd have to file charges in that country. Not to discourage you, but good luck with that.

Crimes aboard cruise ships are a serious problems. Even murders aren't usually solved or prosecuted (only about 16% according to the FBI, the numbers are even lower for rape). I hope you can put this guy in jail. It's obviously what he deserves. But you face a huge uphill battle.