Have you felt in danger at a port

[BridgeMates]

This is an informative topic and without scaring anyone, it emphasizes we need to always be alert.

We've traveled overseas for 25+ years with lots of cruises and land tours. Have felt uncomfortable in only a couple of ports when we should have used a cab instead of walking. We think we're pretty savvy and dress down when we're in port, no jewelry, no purse, etc.

Overall we've been lucky. In Valpariso, Chile a block from the ship an old lady tried to get my husbands camera out of his backpack. Had the middle section unzipped when a man walking alongside us told us she was trying to rob us. We think she targeted him when she saw him stow his camera in that section just before we left the grocery store across from the port.

Been pickpocketed in Barcelona at the Rambla subway station altho all they got was a fake wallet with a couple of dollars in it.

In Rome (again on the subway), we think we came close with a man dressed as a priest. Talked to us on the platform, got on another car, and then worked his way thru to our car standing close, right up behind my husband when I spotted him.

Be careful in Montevideo and stay in the main tourist area as friends were mugged one street over. She had a small backpack and she fought them for it, ended up being thrown to the ground. Very frightening experience. We've been there several times, but will be even more alert from now on.

Again, we try to be careful wherever we go, US cities or overseas.

We continue to travel but as we've gotten older, we know we have to be even more careful. This thread is a good reminder.

[greatam]

Of course no one is going to run out with a sofa but given furniture is a reasonably large capital purchase the business is just preventing having the cash robbed. Also having an armed guard is not a matter of prestige, a successful business will have plenty of cash, the business is only trying to reduce the risk of being robbed.

 

How many furniture purchases are made in cash? Other than small items, I can't imagine many. I know I sure have never paid cash for anything larger than a chair at a furniture store. And since most chain and larger furniture stores offer in-house credit, I just have a real hard time believing there is much cash in a furniture store.

 

Armed security guards in a lot of places in this world ARE a sign of prestige. Even the crapped out H Mart (NOT in a bad neighborhood, just crammed to the gills with product and rather disorganized) in Kuwait City put an armed guard at the door. The newest one is next door to the largest shopping mall in Kuwait City which is ultra fancy and has only name brand designer type stores. The shopping mall has armed guards and roving plain clothes armed guards. So H Mart put an armed guard in their store also simply to attract the wealthy to their store.

 

Why the armed guards-Kuwait does NOT have a theft problem-you get your hands/arms cut off if you get caught stealing? Because Kuwait is a VERY rich country with lots of private body guards and people in private armored limos. The population is USED to all the security and feel VERY secure when shopping in places with armed guards. They DO NOT generally go to stores that don't have armed guards. It DOES have to do prestige.

[Gold Mine Gal]

At Playa Del Carmen we stopped at a Baskin Robbins and they had a security officer dressed in black and carrying a black gun. Needless to say, we bought our cones and left quickly. It just gives you a very bad feeling.

 

Last April we took a Carnival sponsored sugar cane excursion in the Dom Republic, we had two armed guards excort us.:eek:

[ladytiger96]

I really did not feel in danger. Maybe in Cozumel but that is more because Mexico freaks me out a little. We even went way into the mountains in Jamaica with our guide, where obviously poor, poor people lived, and I felt safe. I think just use common sense and if you are concerned, don't go to far from port. I'm sure you'll be fine though.

[slidergirl]

Tel Aviv. It's a port stop (well, Ashdod..), but I was there while my hubby was on a business trip and I tagged along. Members of the IDF walking around everywhere with their machine guns over their shoulders. Strangest was walking at night on the Promenade and seeing IDF couples walking arm in arm, both with machine guns. Many stores have armed guards and they will have you open your purses so they can check the contents. One of my visits was in 1998, when Saddam was lobbing Scuds. A negotiated cease-fire was in place for the 2 weeks of the Winter Olympics. Walking around town, I'd see stores selling rolls of plastic sheeting and duct tape (to make "safe rooms" at home). Being told at check-in that we'd have to get our gas masks at the US Embassy if they became needed!! Taking my daily walk along the Promenade, and seeing the Embassy bringing in pallets of food supplies... Watching the news on TV and the scandal that Israeli Arabs were given second priority behind Israeli Jews for gas masks at supply points. All the checkpoints between Jerusalem and Jericho and Masada. Going the wrong way down a walkway in old Jerusalem on a Friday afternoon and being screamed at by men that I had to turn around and go back, only to find a fight with military trying to break it up.

After those times, I haven't really felt uneasy or unsafe anywhere. Heck, I even walked in Manhattan from the big library on 5th ave to Eataly and back around midnight alone...

[Kokomo_Man]

I've done "walk-abouts" by myself in every port I've been in except Belize. I never ever felt unsafe anywhere in Cozumel. I do speak Spanish and keep any expensive stuff in a cheap back-pack.

 

The only place I ever felt unsafe was in at a stop I made on the NCL Spirit at Santo Thomas de Castilla - Guatemala. I walked out of the port area and no matter where I turned I saw barbed wire areas, and armed guards. It wasn't long till I was back on the ship. I think it's a good thing. One of the passengers that was also off on his own was killed when some banditos tried to take his camera. They got his camera.

 

So the lesson here is that if someone wants your camera... give it to them.

 

By the way... As far as I know, Carnival does not list Santo Thomas de Castilla as one of their ports. (NCL doesn't appear to go there anymore either.)

 

Bob

Searching for Kokomo

[jjones]

In Rome I was targeted by "gypsies" - woman with shawl holding baby, son approx. 10 y.o. - I grabbed my bag with both hands and said NO very loudly as they converged on me. As I passed, the woman and boy both hit me with their fists. I just kept walking.

 

I am an older female (great target) and usually wander around alone. I have found many very kind and helpful people even when there's a language problem. But I have been in some uncomfortable neighborhoods, especially in the Baltic, Middle East and Greece where I cannot read signs and road markers because of alphabetic challenges. I get lost occasionally through my own absent-mindedness. But sometimes it adds to the fun of discovery.

[grand isle joe]

The only port I've ever felt uncomfortable was Galveston, Texas.

 

 

 

 

.......Glen Campbell never felt that way......................;):D

[AZwaterbug]

We felt unsafe last May in Istanbul. After our small boat ride on the bospherous river, where the boat staff were very unfriendly and pushy for us to purchase items, an outdoor vendor called us American swine. We were followed and harrassed at the grand bazzar as well. The spice market was wonderful, but we wonder how long it will be until an unfortunate accident happens in Istanbul. Boats are allowed to come entirely too close to cruise ships docked in port. We decided to stay onboard the second day. That is a first for us ...usually adventurous travelers.

[L3GWG]

Slider girl, statistically Israel is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[jamminlion]

Thank you OP for starting this thread. Very good reading, and definitely a good reminder. We've only travelled to US and Canadian Ports - well Kiribati - but what is going to happen there? They were dependent upon the cruise ship then.

 

The few comments about Belize have made my mind up that we will be staying on the ship that day - enjoying the pool sans chair hogs. We have our young girls travelling with us. Not taking a single chance with them.

 

For what it's worth - I feel perfectly safe walking around Manhattan at night. Baltimore, MD - not so much. Go figure.

[Treven]

Thank you OP for starting this thread. Very good reading, and definitely a good reminder. We've only travelled to US and Canadian Ports - well Kiribati - but what is going to happen there? They were dependent upon the cruise ship then.

 

The few comments about Belize have made my mind up that we will be staying on the ship that day - enjoying the pool sans chair hogs. We have our young girls travelling with us. Not taking a single chance with them.

 

For what it's worth - I feel perfectly safe walking around Manhattan at night. Baltimore, MD - not so much. Go figure.

In my opinion, you won't miss anything by staying on board at Belize City. My only good stop (and this wasn't in the city) was at the state-run brewery. Since you'll have your kids along, I doubt you'll be visiting there.

[cruisemom42]

I've been combing through my mental files and I honestly cannot think of any time in any port or city where I felt unsafe.

 

I haven't been to a lot of the Caribbean or Mexican ports in a while. Most of my travels have been in Europe and particularly around the Med. I've walked around on my own in Istanbul, Rome, Paris, Lisbon, Venice, Barcelona and many more cities -- even Cairo (before the Arab Spring). Perhaps I've just been lucky.

 

I generally try not to look like a tourist; I walk fast and with purpose, and I'm pretty good at finding my way around and not getting lost. I also have become relatively comfortable at just ignoring anyone trying to get me to do or buy something I'm not interested in (e.g., at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul).

 

I did get pickpocketed in Barcelona. I take my hat off to the skill of the thief or thieves, because I never felt a thing and had my purse under my arm and zipped. But I didn't feel unsafe, just mad at myself.

 

I suppose the closest I could come to saying I felt unsafe was simply feeling uncomfortable with all the hassling in Jamaica. It wasn't scary exactly, it just made it hard to enjoy oneself.

[bob brown]

We were walking back from the free beach in Nassau and dh had wanted to see some old churches. Right on the main touristy road there was a pretty decorative street sign pointing up a pleasant looking road advertising a couple of churches. We walked up the hill assuming since it was advertised on the main road it was safe and did see two beautiful churches and took a few pics when a lady came out of one of them and told us we weren't safe. She told us to hide our camera and immediately turn around and had back as quickly as we could. It was a long few minutes back and really freaked me out.

I had a similar experience some years ago when calling at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI....

I walked from the wharf at Havensight along the harbor into town, past a housing project that a shot came from hitting a cruise tourist later on.

No problem, so far. Then after touring the main shopping district, I turned to walk up the hill, to get a high view of the harbor and cruise ships. I got two or three blocks up, when a middle aged resident approached me from his home and said: "You're going the wrong way, Mon." I replied: "Thankyou, but I know which way I am going". He looked at me, then turned his head up the hill, looking a block up at a group of young men milling around, then looked back at me, and repeated slowly and clearly:

"You're going the wrong way, Mon". I finally 'got it', and smiled and said to him: "Ah, I think you are right, I was going the wrong way." He winked at me, and went back into his home, as I turned around and headed back into town.

[cruzeluver]

I could almost cry when I think of all the amazing experiences, interesting people, terrific cuisine and wonderful adventures I would have missed out on if I had listened to those who said to avoid Belize, Cartagena, Acapulco, Nassau etc. All have wonderful experiences to be had if you just do a little planning.

[askimdog]

We get off the main strip in every port and wander deep into the town, NEVER have we had a problem. In fact, the nicest local folks we ever met were in Belize City and Ensenada and it's why they rank as some of our favorite places we have visited.

[jagsfan]

We've never had a problem ourselves, but after walking around on his own in multiple poets, my DH chickened out in Falmouth Jamaica. We had driven there years back and visited the church and thought it was an interesting town. This time he left the shopping area built for cruise ships to walk to the church. He was back before I finished my drink. He said there was no one on the streets but small groups of men watching him. First time in many visits to Jamaica he felt threatened.

Once in Rome, a group of us were on the bus, standing room only. My friend had her purse hanging around her neck, arms crossed over the top of it. She was facing a man, and I was jammed up behind her. We got off the bus, and the sides of her purse had been slit and all contents removed. I'm still amazed at the skill of the thief. And had to share my credit card with her for the rest of our cruise!

[mtwingcpa]

The few comments about Belize have made my mind up that we will be staying on the ship that day - enjoying the pool sans chair hogs. We have our young girls travelling with us. Not taking a single chance with them.

 

Belize City is a tender port. The launches drop you at a fenced and guarded tourist area that is perfectly safe, with "approved" shops, craft booths, restaurants, etc. That part might be worth seeing. Just don't wander outside of the secured area on your own unless you are ready for an "experience." ;-)

[pris993]

Once while in Mexico, my DH forgot his bowtie for his tux, so we decided to go shopping for one. Took a taxi, asked taxi driver to take us where we might buy a bowtie.

 

The first place he stopped, my DH asked the shop staff for a bowtie from outside the front door of the shop, because he did not have a good feeling about the location - situation, my DH speaks spanish. They really did not have a bowtie, so we went to another location by taxi (we had the taxi wait).

 

At the second stop, there was a much nicer men's store where we did shop for a while and find the bowtie plus some slacks. We then had to get a taxi back to the ship on our own, which took some time to do, it was apparent that this shopping trip may not have been a good idea, we stood out like a sore thumb in the neighborhood. With my DH speaking spanish we managed - probably would not do again.

 

Another time, we were in Paris shopping, decided to check out a "street market" we had seen ... found ourselves in a immigrant neighborhood, once again we stood out like a sore thumb... so did not stay long, got a taxi and left the area.

 

In both situations we were attracking attention... and knew it is best to move on.

[slidergirl]

Slider girl, statistically Israel is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Yes, I know. But, that first time I was there, with those Scud threats, I definitely felt uncomfortable. But, I still got out there and wandered solo while the hubby was at work. I wasn't visiting the tourist attractions, but being part of the locals as they went about town. It is a little disconcerting to know that all those "kids" are out and about with those guns, ready to do whatever, whenever...

A few weeks after we got home, we saw that the one waterside restaurant we frequented was bombed...But, we've still gone back.

[wwcruisers]

Belize City is a tender port. The launches drop you at a fenced and guarded tourist area that is perfectly safe, with "approved" shops, craft booths, restaurants, etc. That part might be worth seeing. Just don't wander outside of the secured area on your own unless you are ready for an "experience." ;-)

 

Good advice on Belize. Several years ago, we took the ship's shore excursion to the ruins at Lamanai -- a great tour! But when we returned, the bus driver let us out across the street from the gated terminal. Before we would get from bus to the gate, we were mobbed by aggressive street vendors. Some of the older passengers were clearly frightened by this. We just encouraged them to keep walking toward the gate. BTW -- there was a security guard outside the terminal gate, who did nothing to help us -- in fact, I think he was amused at our predicament.

[DSXM]

St. Kitts, one word: monkeys

[FawnRiver]

We were walking around Philipsburg in St. Maarten, looking for the post office to get my father-in-law a stamp. We got quite lost, but we just stayed calm and walked back the way we came. A taxi tried to pick us up, but we just said a polite 'no thanks' and kept moving and tried not to look lost. We did end up finding the post office and getting the stamp, btw.

 

In Grenada, we walked up to Fort George and got picked up by a local 'guide', who did escort us around and gave us a lot of good information but then he tried to lead us to see his 'friends' further on in town. I didn't trust him, so I refused and insisted we were going back to the ship. The guide asked us for $20, I gave him a $10 and told him he had time to go find someone else to show around. He wasn't terribly happy with me, but what could he expect, especially after telling us that we shouldn't tell anyone on the island that we're Canadians :mad:. On the way back to the ship, a rather large woman comes up to me (and I am most definitely NOT petite), she steps right up to me - pretty much chest to chest and tells me "I'm braiding your hair". I have very long hair, which I unfortunately forgot to put in a bun that morning. I told her very definitively, "NO YOU ARE NOT." I pushed past her without even thinking about it, I was just so pissed about how pushy these people were.

 

That having been said, we've met all sorts of fantastic people in other ports.

[ricethief]

How many furniture purchases are made in cash? Other than small items, I can't imagine many. I know I sure have never paid cash for anything larger than a chair at a furniture store. And since most chain and larger furniture stores offer in-house credit, I just have a real hard time believing there is much cash in a furniture store.

 

Armed security guards in a lot of places in this world ARE a sign of prestige. Even the crapped out H Mart (NOT in a bad neighborhood, just crammed to the gills with product and rather disorganized) in Kuwait City put an armed guard at the door. The newest one is next door to the largest shopping mall in Kuwait City which is ultra fancy and has only name brand designer type stores. The shopping mall has armed guards and roving plain clothes armed guards. So H Mart put an armed guard in their store also simply to attract the wealthy to their store.

 

Why the armed guards-Kuwait does NOT have a theft problem-you get your hands/arms cut off if you get caught stealing? Because Kuwait is a VERY rich country with lots of private body guards and people in private armored limos. The population is USED to all the security and feel VERY secure when shopping in places with armed guards. They DO NOT generally go to stores that don't have armed guards. It DOES have to do prestige.

 

In asia and I assume most developing nations furniture isn't purchased with a credit card or store credit, its saved up for a purchased in cash.

 

Your examples are in nation where the population is wealthy, so you opinion on the fact they are there for prestige may by valid. Though even where the population is wealthy you will still have a small number that is either local population or externally who will commit armed robbery and they are just preventing it. My wife has friends in Malaysia who have an armed guard for their business and its nothing to do with prestige.

 

Just because the law allows the cutting of arms and hands if you steal doesn't prevent it, it may prevent minor crimes or make someone who isn't morally corrupt to think twice.

[pscozz702]

On our first cruise we were in Nassau and was taking pics of the family just off the pier using the ship as a backdrop and a local started asking about my camera and then said it looked like his as he had one just like it... I laughed right in his face, if had one just like it why did he know nothing about it. This past January my DW and I took a ship excursion to a resort in Samana, as we got off the tender we noticed uniformed security around. We sailed that that night I asked my DW is she had noticed the undercover security at the beach, to my surprise she said no. I was shocked as they were all over the place and this was at a resort island.

 

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Forums mobile app