[Publius6961]

Next pirate ship only need be bigger - as they are off the Indonesian straits.

Where the nearest countries patrol the area with warships.
Does this mean that when going on a cruise in certain areas of the world it is appropriate to ask what defensive measures the ship has? Is is reasonble to assume that protection against pirates is part of the expected "package"?

Finally, don't cruise ships, particularly the most exclusive kind, have the radar and sonar means to monitor when boats of any size are approaching?

As a captain, having the proper weapons on board, I would have aimed at disabling the boats and having them deal with paddling 100 miles home.

Naaaah. I would have sunk the SOB's and celebrated afterwards.

[Robert A Cook PE]

In the small ports (even in the Caribbean islands) literally hundreds of little boats come past (within a few hundred feet) cruise ships every day while in port/approaching port.

You couldn't threaten all of them with weapons from the ship.

BUT - The cruise ship should be armed. And it is a legitimate question. (Before you buy.)