Where was the ship registered? If a ship is registered to (for example) the Bahamas isn’t it considered Bahamian territory and under Bahamian laws? Just saying... The cruise line may be able to get this thrown out pretty easily and remanded to another country.
I believe most cruse ships are registered in countries other than the U.S. to avoid horrendous taxes and labor laws.
I didn’t notice where the rape happened, that might have something to do with where a civil case is tried.
(The article itself is from the U.K.)