What's the Reasoning?

[navybankerteacher]

First question I have for you....why did you hesitate going to the front desk? Why didn't you go the first time you heard your name called? Second question...you said you were led off the ship and searched. It doesn't sound right to me that ship security would be the only ones involved if you were led off the ship first.

 

As for the search, the others already correctly explained Carnival's permissions. As for the reason, considering you were targeted and this wasn't random, something must have happened on board. You were either reported to security by another guest, or someone of authority on the ship saw you or your partner doing something unlawful. If you are correct that this was security, not Customs or local LE, my guess is you were accused of theft on board.

 

Good catch - except if OP had been off the ship it would most likely have been customs, as ship's personnel would not be likely to claim any jurisdiction, or right to search, once ashore.

 

The delay in raising this, and the inconsistencies in the narrative, raise serious doubts as to the completeness (or even accuracy) of the post.

[Pops, Esq.]

Apparently, OP is not liking the tenor of the responses here, since they were on for a couple of hours, and started a new thread, but didn't come back to the first post and first thread started in 4 years.

 

New thread is on RCI forum, and is about cruising and not getting off ship, so I think OP may have some known issues with ship security or with LEO's in the various ports. They also state on that thread that their last cruise was 5 years ago, so this is when the security issue happened. Very strange that they would wait this long, but I guess they are looking for possible reasons to avoid another shakedown.

Given those facts, perhaps OP is just getting back to cruising after a 5 year gap and is trying to figure out if there was a reason for the previous experience. You know, something they can possibly avoid this time around? If they are cruising RCI this time around, s/he is hoping it is a Carnival issue.

 

Just trying to keep it positive folks! :)

[sail7seas]

Good catch - except if OP had been off the ship it would most likely have been customs, as ship's personnel would not be likely to claim any jurisdiction, or right to search, once ashore.

 

The delay in raising this, and the inconsistencies in the narrative, raise serious doubts as to the completeness (or even accuracy) of the post.

 

Some cruise ships have an alert system where when the guest's card is scanned it will ding if they are not to leave the ship for one reason or another. An unaccompanied child's card would keep them from leaving the ship and if someone was wanted by Security or Front Office, their card likely would signal they should not be permitted to leave the ship. It would have been hard for OP to have disembarked unless the alert system malfunctioned?

 

[Cruisin' Chick]

Apparently, OP is not liking the tenor of the responses here, since they were on for a couple of hours, and started a new thread, but didn't come back to the first post and first thread started in 4 years.

 

New thread is on RCI forum, and is about cruising and not getting off ship, so I think OP may have some known issues with ship security or with LEO's in the various ports. They also state on that thread that their last cruise was 5 years ago, so this is when the security issue happened. Very strange that they would wait this long, but I guess they are looking for possible reasons to avoid another shakedown.

 

Thanks for checking this. I looked at the new posts and wondering if they're just trying to avoid some problem. If there was something about that last cruise that got them flagged (whether or not it was some misunderstanding or mistaken identity and not something they did), they might want to look into it before going to the pier on embarkation day and possibly be denied boarding.

[tuxjamie]

Just to let every one know. I finally received a reply from Carnival about being led off the ship and searched. They told me that 2 rooms are picked at random on every ship and any one that is in that room will be searched for no reason just random. If they told us that in the beginning we wouldn't have had a problem. A simple "your state room was chosen at random and we will be searching your bags" before or after the search would have been fine. We didn't go right to the front desk as we were eating breakfast and needed to get our things out of the room. We were in the search room with another couple and their two small children. We haven't sailed since but now we are going again in RCI.

[deladypilot]

Glad you heard back from them. I agree they should have said something

[wwcruisers]

Just to let every one know. I finally received a reply from Carnival about being led off the ship and searched. They told me that 2 rooms are picked at random on every ship and any one that is in that room will be searched for no reason just random. If they told us that in the beginning we wouldn't have had a problem. A simple "your state room was chosen at random and we will be searching your bags" before or after the search would have been fine. We didn't go right to the front desk as we were eating breakfast and needed to get our things out of the room. We were in the search room with another couple and their two small children. We haven't sailed since but now we are going again in RCI.

 

 

Just curious -- have you asked the folks at RC if they have a similar "random search" policy? Have to admit that I've never heard of anything like that, in all my years of cruising RC, and her sister line, X. But, that doesn't mean that it couldn't happen.

[tuxjamie]

No, but I will and will read all the fine print. I just hope it never happens to anyone else. This is my first time cruising RC. Hoping all well:)

[K&RCurt]

It likely does happen on every cruise.

 

At airport check-in the airline computer systems randomly print a *S on x number of boarding passed and the lucky person who receives it gets extra scrutiny going through TSA screening.

 

I know this only because it happened to me. The TSA agent also told me about it AFTER I was cleared. If they told you ahead of time it wouldn't be as effective.

 

They should have told you after you were cleared, however.

 

If they pick less than .1% of passengers (2 out of 2,000+) it is not unusual that not too many folks have experienced it.

 

The good news is that it is VERY unlikley to happen to anyone twice!

[Flatbush Flyer]

If this is not a BS story and it occurred in an American port, there is something called the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution.

[sfaaa]

You just heard back from Carnival after 5 long years? Why would they suddenly fess up? Sorry, your story makes no sense.

[chengkp75]

You just heard back from Carnival after 5 long years? Why would they suddenly fess up? Sorry, your story makes no sense.

 

Thinking the very same thing. Not sure that Carnival would have the record of a "routine" random search after 5 years. Never seen this mentioned before on CC, and this is the place folks would come to complain, for sure. :p

 

Not blaming the OP, or implying anything, but my guess is that there was some visual evidence that was misinterpreted as wrong doing.

Edited November 7, 2015 by chengkp75

[capriccio]

Very odd - I can see (sort of) extra scrutiny on boarding (a la TSA) to ensure that someone isn't boarding with weapons, etc. but what are they searching for upon disembarkation (absconding with robes, coat hangers, etc.), especially since the OP said it was cruise line employees not customs and immigration? It doesn't make much sense to me.

[sfaaa]

Got off Carnival Legend last month. Never heard anyone's name called in the morning of disembarkment nor did I see anyone being escorted by some mean looking security to the naughty room. OP must be a very special person to get picked out of 2000+ disembarking passengers.

[iheartbda]

Thinking the very same thing. Not sure that Carnival would have the record of a "routine" random search after 5 years. Never seen this mentioned before on CC, and this is the place folks would come to complain, for sure. :p

For sure, FOR SURE.:D

 

Not blaming the OP, or implying anything, but my guess is that there was some visual evidence that was misinterpreted as wrong doing.

I just read the fine print and Carnival DOES reserve the right to search or inspect, #9 under their ticket contract.

http://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/legal-notice/ticket-contract.aspx

 

HOWEVER, it is at embarkation or during the cruise and nowhere does it say anything about searching at the end of the cruise.

[Karysa]

I am sceptical of the reason being just a routine search.

 

I think we would have heard of that on cc itself or someon on cc would have posted this happening to a friend, family member or co worker.

 

At the airport I am the "chosen one" often and am told that this is a "random" search and am treated with respect and a "very brisk massage" while searched in Germany.

 

The way that the OP describes this search from beginning to end I feel that they were looking for something and that if it happened as described then it was not random at all.

[Aquahound]

Very odd - I can see (sort of) extra scrutiny on boarding (a la TSA) to ensure that someone isn't boarding with weapons, etc. but what are they searching for upon disembarkation (absconding with robes, coat hangers, etc.), especially since the OP said it was cruise line employees not customs and immigration? It doesn't make much sense to me.

 

The only random searches I have ever heard of on debarkation morning is CBP sometimes doing random cabin searches, which is exempt from the 4th Amendment due to the border crossing. In all my years working maritime law enforcement, I have never heard of the cruise ship leading people off the ship and doing their own random searches.

[Lerin]

Why would the ship take the time to search 2 cabins of people when they are disembarking (and turning over the entire ship)?!

Sorry, that doesn't make sense.

If they were concerned about contraband, wouldn't they search on the first day? Just like the airlines do all the screenings before you board.

[tuxjamie]

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Line. We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.

 

 

 

During debarkation, people are picked at random to undergo further searches by customs. We do apologize if this may have caused you to be uneasy.

 

We thank you for chosing Carnival and trust tou enjoyed your trip. Please feel free to contact us if there is anything else we can do for you. We look forward to welcoming you back on board another Fun Ship soon.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Krystle Funches

Guest Care Specialist

Carnival Cruise Lines | 3655 NW 87th Avenue | Miami, FL 33178 |

800-929-6400

iCare@carnival.com

[Aquahound]

During debarkation, people are picked at random to undergo further searches by customs. We do apologize if this may have caused you to be uneasy.

 

But that's not what you said. :confused: You were sure it was ship security. Are you starting to think it was Customs who searched you, not ship security?

[N2Mischief]

We once received a phone call at 4:30 am on the morning we were to disembark. They told my husband he must be in the theatre in 30 min, I was not welcome to come.

 

He went of course and there were about 10 other people/passengers in there as well. They were taken individually and asked a list of questions. I never was told what was asked. But afterward my husband was allowed to come back to the cabin.

 

He was told his name is the same or similar to a name on their "list" having to do with entering the United States.

 

My husband served in the military and is a foreign war veteran.

 

Though it was irritating to be woken up at 4:30 am (and who could go back to sleep after that?), I am glad they check.

 

He wasn't searched nor was his luggage.

[chengkp75]

But that's not what you said. :confused: You were sure it was ship security. Are you starting to think it was Customs who searched you, not ship security?

 

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. If its CBP, it makes all the sense in the world, and we know they have their own rules.

[sail7seas]

Now, of course, it makes sense. A completely different circumstance.

CBP has every right to do thorough inspection of our person and whatever we are bringing into the country.

 

Edited November 8, 2015 by sail7seas

[sparks1093]

But that's not what you said. :confused: You were sure it was ship security. Are you starting to think it was Customs who searched you, not ship security?

 

To many people one uniform looks like any other.

[Krazy Kruizers]

OP

Thank you for coming back and explaining what Carnival said.

I have never heard of a couple of cabins being called and having their luggage checked at the end of their cruise.

What ports did you visit? Maybe that had something to do with the random search.