Illegals smuggled to NYC on QM2

[jleq]

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Man-Smuggled-Illegal-Immigrants-Aboard-Luxury-Liner-121488604.html

[ocngypz]

How can they be smuggled if they were on the manifest? Also if they boarded in Dubai and were on BOTH manifests (DBX-SOU/SOU-NYC)??????????????????????

 

Something is not adding up correctly.

 

You get on the manifest by PAYING your cruisefare! It's not like he packed them in his seatrunk.

[3rdGenCunarder]

How can they be smuggled if they were on the manifest? Also if they boarded in Dubai and were on BOTH manifests (DBX-SOU/SOU-NYC)??????????????????????

 

Something is not adding up correctly.

 

You get on the manifest by PAYING your cruisefare! It's not like he packed them in his seatrunk.

 

Maybe they had forged documents? Not sure if that's technically "smuggling," but it's certainly illegal.

[capnpugwash]

Maybe they had forged documents? Not sure if that's technically "smuggling," but it's certainly illegal.

 

I think that you are spot on with your post. They had paid their fares but were being escorted illegally into the USA by the "smuggler"

[brigittetom]

I read that report tonight. I still don't understand. We stand in line in Brooklyn, we have to show all documents including passports. I can barely be escorted by my husband because I tend to be a little to the left or a little to the right in line. Which is good because all passengers want Cunard to be vigiliant.

 

And yet in Dubai, Cunard accecpts nine illegals. Go figure. How did these nine peope get sheltered and have access to all the ammenities. Personally, I would like to read from Cunard where they had their cabins and how they were assigned....since they were onboard illegally.. I mean really, they make the rest of us who pay dearly to travel on the QM2 to show our credentials, it's time to get with the progam. ;)

[capnpugwash]

I think that you have the wrong end of the stick. They seem to have paid their fares for the trip which gives them cabins, etc, but their papers were false, which makes them "illegal". The person who checked their papers in Dubai may have some questions to answer but as far as Cunard were aware they were entitled to be on board, they weren't stowaways as their names were on the passenger manifest.

[missfrankiecat]

I read that report tonight. I still don't understand. We stand in line in Brooklyn, we have to show all documents including passports. I can barely be escorted by my husband because I tend to be a little to the left or a little to the right in line. Which is good because all passengers want Cunard to be vigiliant.

 

And yet in Dubai, Cunard accecpts nine illegals. Go figure. How did these nine peope get sheltered and have access to all the ammenities. Personally, I would like to read from Cunard where they had their cabins and how they were assigned....since they were onboard illegally.. I mean really, they make the rest of us who pay dearly to travel on the QM2 to show our credentials, it's time to get with the progam. ;)

 

I bet they got upgrades too!!

[DKNYC]

I am not surprised really. They don't really look all that closely at my Passport when I check in. As long as it looks like a valid document . I don't know if they scan the microchip or read the barcodes on them. More attention is paid to my credit card I think;). They got caught by the customs people in NY ( luckily they were alert that day).

 

On a slightly lighter note, it seems to me that they got a pretty good deal with the price if we can assume they paid $3000 or less for the 2 segments from Dubai to NY. I only have one question:

Did they wear tuxedos and gowns on formal night??:D

 

Denise

[bobby1119]

They had fake passports.

 

The embarkation of passengers and visitors that day was delayed for about 45 minutes while US immigration officials were sorting it out.

[Jimsgirl]

How about their on board account and auto tipping charges?. Did they pay by cash or credit card? Did they have to sign the "I have not vomited in past 48 hours" form? Luggage?

 

Would love to know all the answers. For instance did they book on line with Cunard, or through a travel agent in Dubia ( where?).

 

I must confess that I am not suprised ,have wondered in the past re other passengers who have seemed "out of place". If a certain "wanted terrorist " had shaved off his beard, I bet he could have boarded also,it would lonly have required a little "backsheesh"

 

This proves that Cunard is not "totally secure " as a few posters have claimed recently .

[Railer]

I hadn't heard about this before. The only other way would be to be snuck on with staff at some point.

[Venator Caudicum]

How about their on board account and auto tipping charges?. Did they pay by cash or credit card? Did they have to sign the "I have not vomited in past 48 hours" form? Luggage?

 

Would love to know all the answers. For instance did they book on line with Cunard, or through a travel agent in Dubia ( where?).

 

I must confess that I am not suprised ,have wondered in the past re other passengers who have seemed "out of place". If a certain "wanted terrorist " had shaved off his beard, I bet he could have boarded also,it would lonly have required a little "backsheesh"

 

This proves that Cunard is not "totally secure " as a few posters have claimed recently.

 

Does it? Other than the obvious point that NOTHING is completely secure.

 

I'd say all it shows that someone thought that immigration in NYC may not be as careful when dealing with QM2 as they might for the average flight. And that someone had good enough fakes done to fool someone on check in who has presumably had minimal training on fake documents.

 

Remember, whilst you are getting all over the top about terrorists, that the 9/11 bombers were all legitimately in the US. No-one would get excited about thirteen people getting over the border from Mexico - there is no fundamental difference.

 

Cunard are concerned with stopping bombs et al getting on. This lot had nothing of the sort - they are simple economic migrants.

 

It's really a completely non-story, where it not for the fact that they used QM2.

[northernsailor]

How about their on board account and auto tipping charges?. Did they pay by cash or credit card? Did they have to sign the "I have not vomited in past 48 hours" form? Luggage?

 

Would love to know all the answers. For instance did they book on line with Cunard, or through a travel agent in Dubia ( where?).

 

I must confess that I am not suprised ,have wondered in the past re other passengers who have seemed "out of place". If a certain "wanted terrorist " had shaved off his beard, I bet he could have boarded also,it would lonly have required a little "backsheesh"

 

This proves that Cunard is not "totally secure " as a few posters have claimed recently .

 

I think all the answers would be the same as any other fare paying passenger. Other than perhaps they stayed in their cabin(s) for the entire trip and had room service or ate in Kings Court to avoid attention.

 

With regards to Cunard being 'totally secure' - it's down to the agents that are checking-in the passengers to board which will be governed by the Port Authority in the country they are embarking at. It's not upto Cunard if it's a legit passport or not! :rolleyes:

 

You wouldn't blame an airline for letting someone on with a fake passport, no?

 

Chris

[Bugeye]

I think all the answers would be the same as any other fare paying passenger. Other than perhaps they stayed in their cabin(s) for the entire trip and had room service or ate in Kings Court to avoid attention.

 

With regards to Cunard being 'totally secure' - it's down to the agents that are checking-in the passengers to board which will be governed by the Port Authority in the country they are embarking at. It's not upto Cunard if it's a legit passport or not! :rolleyes:

 

You wouldn't blame an airline for letting someone on with a fake passport, no?

 

Chris

 

Last time I cruised we had to submit our passport numbers, dates, issuing city, expiration several weeks before the cruise. I thought this was to enable the passports to be checked.

Is there a different policy when you board outside of the U.S.?, or with a non U.S. passport?

 

I remember security being quite tight in Dubai before we boarded the QM2 in Mar 07, lots of security forces with guns!! Its fine that they were caught before entering the U.S. and seem to be illegal immigrants, but it makes me worry about terrorists boarding the ship.

 

Karen

[northernsailor]

Last time I cruised we had to submit our passport numbers, dates, issuing city, expiration several weeks before the cruise. I thought this was to enable the passports to be checked.

Is there a different policy when you board outside of the U.S.?, or with a non U.S. passport?

 

I remember security being quite tight in Dubai before we boarded the QM2 in Mar 07, lots of security forces with guns!! Its fine that they were caught before entering the U.S. and seem to be illegal immigrants, but it makes me worry about terrorists boarding the ship.

 

Karen

 

 

When I book directly with Cunard it doesn't ask for my passport details - it only wants me to put those in the voyage planner - I have not not filled those out before a cruise, so no idea what happens if I did not. However, they check my passport in Southampton when I check-in. Because I am getting back off in the same country at the end of my trip there are no immigration officials [from my country]. This is different on voyages to the states, etc though.

 

If you worry about terrorists boarding a ship you should worry about every other method of transport you take that is with other people too.

 

Chris

[Jimsgirl]

Certainly in the US you have to give all pertinent details weeks before in order to receive boarding paperwork, and also that the details can be checked.

 

As for security, I do not believe that cruise ships check luggage for liquids, 9 people each carrying several oz's could add up, as could other components, broken down into small pkgs.

 

No I am not an alarmist, I am a realist. I know that no ship is totally secure, I just do not understand those who somehow think that no terrorist would "dare to attack one of the Queens!

 

I still think it would make for "interesting reading" (as opposed to "I do do not like the dress codes "and "4 formal nights is too many")to have postings from anyone who was on board for this particular cruise. Obviusly I am addicted to mystery stories.

 

Lynn

[northernsailor]

Certainly in the US you have to give all pertinent details weeks before in order to receive boarding paperwork, and also that the details can be checked.

 

As for security, I do not believe that cruise ships check luggage for liquids, 9 people each carrying several oz's could add up, as could other components, broken down into small pkgs.

 

No I am not an alarmist, I am a realist. I know that no ship is totally secure, I just do not understand those who somehow think that no terrorist would "dare to attack one of the Queens!

 

I still think it would make for "interesting reading" (as opposed to "I do do not like the dress codes "and "4 formal nights is too many")to have postings from anyone who was on board for this particular cruise. Obviusly I am addicted to mystery stories.

 

Lynn

 

Sorry, I am not sure who said 'no terrorist would dare to attack one of the Queens' - if you relating it to the talk about anti-piracy measures on the World Cruise - that is totally and utterly different. They are after money and not to cause harm, unlike 'terrorists' - any ship is generally a target for pirates, but a cruise ship is highly unlikely to ever be captured by them as they would be so outnumbered even if they were armed (that is if they could even board it in the first place)

 

With regards to people who just did the Dubai-Southampton-NYC segment I doubt very much at all anything went on that was unusual. Only when the papers were checked by the immigration staff (at shoreside, or possibly during the TA) would anything be noticed - even so, the officials would be powerless to do anything aboard until it arrived in NYC where they could then detain them. As stories go, it's a non-starter - could have been any ship, infact more likely than not it's certainly not the first time! :p

 

I imagine the people with the fake passports just kept themselves to themselves (it is a big ship afterall) and that was that. I very much doubt they went to the main dining room for dinner to be honest.

 

Chris

[guernseyguy]

There was no 'smuggling' (as in concealing) involved - they were simply travelling on fake Japanese passports - and Japanese passport holders - like UK - do not need a visa to travel - just an ESTA clearance - now if this had been obtained on the back of the fake passport there is no way Cunard or anyone in Dubai would have known these were not legitimate travelers.

 

To me the bigger question was 'did they have ESTA clearance?'

 

If so, that's much more worrying than their mode of travel - and another piece of 'Security Theatre' is revealled in its true lights.

 

Thank goodness for alert Immigration Officers in Brooklyn....

[DKNYC]

Why would nine fellow citizens of the World seem "out of place" on a World Cruise Segment on a Cunard Queen? :confused:

If they didn't draw attention to themselves or told anyone that they were being "smuggled", nobody else onboard would know. Same with a terrorist who could be anyone anywhere just blending in until they strike.

[brigittetom]

Obviously life goes on in this world where people are excused for every indescression. Including terriorists. I'm a little surprised that Cunard travelers aren't in the least concerned that travelers boarding in Dubai aren't at least scrutinized as formally as they are boarding in NYC. From our experience, we could not board the QM2 without proper documents. That would include a valid passport. Why would Cunard allow personnel to be any less vigilant in Dubai????

 

The people boarding might be harmless illegals, but at best....it tells you that there is not proper security. And as usual, the proper documented get to go thru all the hoops and yet......people justify that it's okay for illegals to be on board as long as they don't mean any harm. Then exactly, what is the point of secuirty on a ship??

 

As long as the people who travel illegally are nice??????

[MrsNobby]

Maybe US Immigration were tracking them from the start of their journey (ie before Dubai) and 'allowed them to travel' in order to see who help them along the way and find out how many people are involved and their contacts if any in the US. Human trafficking is big business and these people obviously had the means to travel in style.

 

Just a thought.

[William Dean]

Obviously life goes on in this world where people are excused for every indescression. Including terriorists. I'm a little surprised that Cunard travelers aren't in the least concerned that travelers boarding in Dubai aren't at least scrutinized as formally as they are boarding in NYC. From our experience, we could not board the QM2 without proper documents. That would include a valid passport. Why would Cunard allow personnel to be any less vigilant in Dubai????

 

The people boarding might be harmless illegals, but at best....it tells you that there is not proper security. And as usual, the proper documented get to go thru all the hoops and yet......people justify that it's okay for illegals to be on board as long as they don't mean any harm. Then exactly, what is the point of secuirty on a ship??

 

As long as the people who travel illegally are nice??????

 

Let's get a sense of perspective here. No one has been stopped with anything that suggests any intent to kill or injure anyone, or anything related to terrorism at all.

 

They had fake passports. That's all.

 

Is anyone who is clearly hysterical about terrorism aware of any case where a terrorist was not in the relevant country legitimately when the attack was made?

 

WD

[brigittetom]

Let's get a sense of perspective here. No one has been stopped with anything that suggests any intent to kill or injure anyone, or anything related to terrorism at all.

 

They had fake passports. That's all

 

WD

 

Actually, in today's world, fake passports are a very big deal. Who decides whether a fake passport leads to terrorism?? The people hired by Cunard to man the desks in the terminal to board passengers....one day a week at best. They are trained for paper work, period. You are the one on the ship for a transatlantic 7 day voyage. I'm sure nothing will ever happen.......BUT....they had fake passports....that's all......doesn't make anyone feel safe.

[brigittetom]

 

You wouldn't blame an airline for letting someone on with a fake passport, no?

 

Chris

 

Actually, I would blame the airline. It's called "SECURITY". No one seems to have a problem taking off the shoes, the long security lines, having to remove absolutely every unnecessary article of clothing.......and no one has a problem with someone boarding with a fake passport? I'm guessing my having to remove my scarf does not make my flight more secure than having a questionable passport scrutinized. If fake passports are not an issue, why bother with security???.

[William Dean]

Actually, I would blame the airline. It's called "SECURITY". No one seems to have a problem taking off the shoes, the long security lines, having to remove absolutely every unnecessary article of clothing.......and no one has a problem with someone boarding with a fake passport? I'm guessing my having to remove my scarf does not make my flight more secure than having a questionable passport scrutinized. If fake passports are not an issue, why bother with security???.

 

I have a problem with this sort of nonsense. So at least one person does. It is simply window dressing to persuade us that something is being done.

 

Fake passports are an immigration issue. Not a terrorism issue. As I said earlier, of the big terrorist outrages in recent years, not a single participant has been in the said country illegally.

 

WD