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18 passengers of RCI and DCL robbed at gunpoint


flagger

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My husband & I were mugged mid-afternoon right on Bay Street about a block and a half away from our hotel (the British Colonial) in 1989.

Now that we primarily cruise, as opposed to taking land vacations, we wouldn't bother visiting Nassau again.

We learned the hard way that "Nassau" is Bahamian for "Stay on dee boat, mon!" :cool:

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What happened in Nassau could happen anywhere in the world. As sad as it is, that's just life. Why hurt the honest people of Nassau that depend on our dollars to feed and clothe their familes due to one or two's actions? I have been to Nassau many, many times and never felt in danger or threatened. Actually I feel that the city I live in is more dangerous that most Caribbean islands.

 

People will always find a reason to justify their fears. They are crippled by one bad experience, while others learn from them using care and caution. It's always better for the right person to get off the boat with a warm smile and a generous heart, than 10 paranoid ones with all the money in the world. I wouldn't care to be in port with a tourist who should be staying on the boat. Nothing ruin your vacation faster than a tourist who is afraid of their shadow in port...boooo, see them jump;)

 

Luckyprincess- I share the same sentiment;)

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My husband & I were mugged mid-afternoon right on Bay Street about a block and a half away from our hotel (the British Colonial) in 1989.

Now that we primarily cruise, as opposed to taking land vacations, we wouldn't bother visiting Nassau again.

We learned the hard way that "Nassau" is Bahamian for "Stay on dee boat, mon!" :cool:

 

It kills me how people are all smiles & happy going places until something bad happens, then they avoid that place like the plague. The WHOLE of Nassau is offlimits now huh? What if you got robbed coming out of your house? Would you move to another city? Or another state for that matter?

BTW, love the "stereotypical accent" in your last comment...

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Still think it's a good idea to go off the ship with your passport when it's not required?

 

 

The men tied up the Bahamian tour guide with the first group and ordered them to the ground before robbing them of money, passports, cell phones, credit cards and personal items.

 

Yes, I do. Your logic would also make it unwise to take money, cellphones, credit cards or personal items as well.

 

I believe there is a greater chance you get sick or encounter other cicumstances which forces you to fly back to your own country without being able to retrieve your passport on the ship.

 

Agreed. Its all about the odds - are you more likely be robbed at gunpoint/be pickpocketed or careless than to have an accident/arrest or other incident that requires you to stay behind while the ship sails? Both are statistically remote, but I think that the first is less likely, so I will continue to take my passport with me in most ports.

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Sh*t happens whether in Nassau, New York, New Orleans, or Nairobi. The key is when traveling, minimize risk. Copy of passport, as opposed to actual passport book. One credit card instead of your whole wallet. Enough cash that you'll willing to spend or lose. No expensive watches or jewelry. Simple as that.

 

I feel for the people who were robbed, but if I were part of that group, they wouldn't get but maybe $500 worth of merchandise (watch, camera) and cash. And I'd have a new credit card overnighted to my next port of call.

 

I'd love to see them try to use my SeaPass card. LOL

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Still think it's a good idea to go off the ship with your passport when it's not required?

 

 

I believe there is a greater chance you get sick or encounter other cicumstances which forces you to fly back to your own country without being able to retrieve your passport on the ship.

 

If you are not on the ship when it sails your passport comes off and goes to ship's agent to be reunited with you. Better this than having it stolen.

 

Susan

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Sh*t happens whether in Nassau, New York, New Orleans, or Nairobi. The key is when traveling, minimize risk. Copy of passport, as opposed to actual passport book. One credit card instead of your whole wallet. Enough cash that you'll willing to spend or lose. No expensive watches or jewelry. Simple as that.

 

I feel for the people who were robbed, but if I were part of that group, they wouldn't get but maybe $500 worth of merchandise (watch, camera) and cash. And I'd have a new credit card overnighted to my next port of call.

 

I'd love to see them try to use my SeaPass card. LOL

 

I don't think it's the possessions as much as a gun being put in ones face. Until you have a gun on the tip of your nose I would not dismiss an event as S*it happens.

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I don't think it's the possessions as much as a gun being put in ones face. Until you have a gun on the tip of your nose I would not dismiss an event as S*it happens.

Been there... done that. Just takes one time to learn enough for a lifetime.

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Yes, I do. Your logic would also make it unwise to take money, cellphones, credit cards or personal items as well.

 

 

 

Agreed. Its all about the odds - are you more likely be robbed at gunpoint/be pickpocketed or careless than to have an accident/arrest or other incident that requires you to stay behind while the ship sails? Both are statistically remote, but I think that the first is less likely, so I will continue to take my passport with me in most ports.

 

I honestly believe the odds are much much much much higher for me of being robbed (most likely pickpocket)than arrested.Never take more into port than what you need like one credit card and small amount of cash and stay away from shady places just like at home

:cj

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One of those who never takes a Passport ashore (just a copy), limited cash, no jewelry, no cell phone, disposable camera, one low-limit CC (had to ask for one), and copy of ship's newsletter with Port Agent info. That's just me.

 

This was really a sad event! That, the King's Stairway incident, the John Travolta extortion thing, the Anna Nicole Smith thing......?? I'm usually pretty liberal about ports and cultures, but this?

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I was on the Carnival Glory 10/10-17/2009 and 8 people were robbed at gunpoint at the Queens' Staircase. Don't know the particulars, but guess it was pretty scarey.

 

I know we missed our excursion in Nassau and went to Paradise Beach in a cab ourselves. I had an uneasy feeling the whole time and couldn't say why (never been to Nassau). But, all in all, we had a good time and nothing happened!

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People will always find a reason to justify their fears. They are crippled by one bad experience, while others learn from them using care and caution. It's always better for the right person to get off the boat with a warm smile and a generous heart, than 10 paranoid ones with all the money in the world. I wouldn't care to be in port with a tourist who should be staying on the boat. Nothing ruin your vacation faster than a tourist who is afraid of their shadow in port...boooo, see them jump;)

 

Luckyprincess- I share the same sentiment;)

 

Justify their fears??????????/ Only a fool doesn't follow their Instincts

:cj

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One of those who never takes a Passport ashore (just a copy), limited cash, no jewelry, no cell phone, disposable camera, one low-limit CC (had to ask for one), and copy of ship's newsletter with Port Agent info. That's just me.

 

We agree on something.Also never take the credit card used for your seapass

:cj

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Justify their fears??????????/ Only a fool doesn't follow their Instincts

:cj

 

In my world there is a BIG difference between instinct and fear

Following instinct means I take precaution, always looking twice, and glancing once. Following fear is staying put because of what 'may' happen. Do I refuse to leave my house the next time something bad happens in my neighborhood? Only, if I was looking for a reason to stay in this lovely mansion of mine:D;)

 

A life lived in fear is one half lived. I intend to live my to the fullest;)

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Nassau was a great place to visit many moons ago,,,if our ship happens to make a stop there we don't get off:eek:....

And agree,,,do not take passports when you get off the ship,,,,,it's just sad that alot of the Caribbean just isn't as wonderful as it used to be:(..

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What happened in Nassau could happen anywhere in the world. As sad as it is, that's just life. Why hurt the honest people of Nassau that depend on our dollars to feed and clothe their familes due to one or two's actions? I have been to Nassau many, many times and never felt in danger or threatened. Actually I feel that the city I live in is more dangerous that most Caribbean islands.

 

I have been frequenting Nassau for over 30yrs now and have at least that many visits under my belt....almost consider it home away from home...have made many friends there....that being said I have to totally agree with the above statement:)

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What a terrible thing to happen. I am glad all are safe.

One thing we do is make a copy of our passport page with the pic and info

on it and leave the actual passport in the safe.

Started doing that after reading it on these boards

:)

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I usualy take tours from the ship, hoping that these are safer. On one trip we were escorted by 8 fully armed policemen. Did not know that until we were leaving the dock, otherwise I probably would not have booked the tour.

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I usualy take tours from the ship, hoping that these are safer. On one trip we were escorted by 8 fully armed policemen. Did not know that until we were leaving the dock, otherwise I probably would not have booked the tour.

 

I believe this was a ship tour as I booked my segway tour at Earth Village where this happened directly thru RCCL.

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