Police appeal for help as US couple on luxury Caribbean boat cruise vanish after disembarking at Jamaican port

• Hayden Gerson, 33, and Alisha Frank, 32, vanished early Tuesday morning
• Police believe they had been planning to make a trip to Montego Bay
• On average, one person every month disappears while on a luxury cruise

Police in Jamaica are trying to locate two Americans who disappeared on Tuesday during a luxury cruise stopover on the Caribbean island.

Hayden Gerson, 33, and Alisha Frank, 32, have not been seen since they disembarked at Falmouth Pier in Trelawny two days ago.

Police believe they were planning to make a trip to Montego Bay - a popular tourist city on the island that features duty-free shopping and golden sand beaches.

It is not known what cruise ship they were travelling on, but Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas was in that port on Tuesday morning and left that evening. 

Hayden Gerson (left) and Alisha Frank right) both disappeared after disembarking in Jamaica

The two were last seen at the Falmouth Pier (above) as they went into town

Mr Gerson was wearing light-colored shorts and a grey t-shirt, while Ms Frank was wearing a red skirt and red blouse, according to the Jamaica Observer.

Such disappearances from cruise ships are surprisingly common - on average one person a month goes missing from luxury liners.

While many resurface only hours or days later - and are more often than not hit with Immigration Act charges - some have disappeared entirely.

However, it is clear the reasons for their disappearances vary.

Theories include something sinister has occurred on land, or they may have wanted to vanish, or that they had an accident while at sea. 

Cruise Law News reports that in the past four years there have been six passengers who have gone missing in Jamaica, but that all were eventually found safe.

In all those cases the individuals were trying to extend their stay despite the fact that it is illegal for cruise ship passengers.

CRIMES AGAINST AMERICANS IN JAMAICA

Crime has long  been a problem in major Jamaican tourist areas but is largely limited to pick-pocketing. There is also the occasional armed robbery, which can turn violent if the tourist is resistant to hand over their valuables.

A majority of the crime in the country is carried out by gangs.

In 2014, there were five US citizens murdered; 36 reports of robbery; three reports of rape and/or sexual assault; 14 reports aggravated assaults; five reports kidnapping (attempted kidnappings); 10 reports of domestic violence; nine reports of child abuse; and seven other crimes against America tourists.

The number of sexual assaults committed by hotel staff and workers against tourists has decreased in recent years. 

Source: US Department of State