safety on cruise ships

[tinlizzy]

Just off the Liberty yesterday and a Jamaican fugitive wanted for sexually assaulting a 16yo in Jamaica was arrested when we docked in Ocho Rios. He had fled prosecution and was hiding in Canada.

 

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Former-ISCF-commandant-jumps-from-cruise-ship-to-avoid-arrest_7654805

 

Too many unknowns for a child to be walking around the ship alone IMO.

[dfmeeks]

We took my daughter on her first cruise when she was 14 years old (Liberty to Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Cozumel). Prior to sailing, we explained that a cruise ship is like a small city & there can be people on the ship that aren't so nice & may not think twice about harming others. I'm a psychotherapist & have worked with many young people who have been assaulted &/or raped so we have talked extensively about safety. She knows the story of Natalie Holloway. We've talked many times about how she can do her part in keeping herself safe so she knows our reasons for setting restrictions. She knows we trust her; It's others we're not sure about.

 

She attended the teen club meeting her first night & hung out with a group of 4 teens the entire cruise. We saw her for breakfast, dinner & excursions. She had a great time, however, we had guidelines. She carried a walkie talkie so that we could reach her at any time and she had to contact us whenever she was going to another location. So, if she was at the pool but they were now going to shop, she contacted us through the walkie talkie. Also, she couldn't walk around alone. She had to be with at least 1 other person. If she wanted to return to our cabin but didn't have an escort, she'd contact us & we'd meet her & escort her back. One of the girls she met could come & go where ever & whenever! How did her parents know that she was safe?

 

We'll be on the Conquest in November & she'll just be a little over 1 month away from turning 16. She'll have basically the same guidelines but will be allowed a later curfew.