Warning for cruise ships

[sylmack]

There is much, MUCH, more security on a cruise ship than we realize.

 

When we cruised Europe immediately after 9/11, we had an escort vessel in the Adriatic. We tendered in instead of docking. When we stopped, a lifeboat was lowered and circled the ship at all times. There were armed guards (onshore) at the ports.

 

My brother-in-law (ex-RCMP) interviewed for security on HAL. He was told there were approximately 150 security-trained crew on the typical cruise ship.

[besberry]

We had friends that were on a cruise that went through the Red Sea, into the Indian ocean, on its way to India and Singapore. They said because of Somali Pirates that ship's outside light were off at night and that "navy seals" were on board (probably private security guys) and armed.

 

I wonder if Med cruises have armed security onboard?

 

When I sailed through that area three years ago, armed guards boarded from a small boat out of Sri Lanka. We had pirate drill (sit in the corridor outside your cabin!). We weren't allowed to use the promenade deck after dark and all cabins had to have their curtains closed. There were fewer external lights on board, but the funnel was still lit up (?!). We were allowed on the upper decks. I never felt unsafe.

[Karynanne]

I was on Infinity out of San Francisco last September, and there were numerous security boats surrounding the ship throughout our stay.

[purpletequila]

Just found this in the press this morning :

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3422044/Terrorists-target-cruise-ships-Med-ranking-commander-says-ISIS-s-spread-Libya-casts-uncomfortable-shadow.html

 

Yeah.

Right before my November cruise, they found some Syrians in St Maarten airport with counterfeit passports. I was kind of freaking out until I saw a thread here where someone asked if Celebrity still had, I think it was phrased, "the Israelis" onboard. If anyone does security correctly, everyone knows it's them so I googled and everything else.

 

It seems Celebrity has a habit of hiring formal IDF as chief security officers onboard their ships and I for one, had a little party of relief for myself.

 

I know security won't matter if it's a torpedo attack or something like that but from everything I've read, the expectation from the FBI etc is that terrorists would get onboard at a port or a bunch of them would get hired and takeover the ship from within. I don't care what anyone says in response to this next statement but, to my mind, that ain't happening with former Israeli Defense Force trained guys in charge. They can size you up and sense you out in a minute flat. So whatever. My mind is at ease after seeing this IDF trend which can easily be verified by searching , for example, linkedin, chief security officer celebrity cruises.

Edited January 31, 2016 by purpletequila

[purpletequila]

I was on Infinity out of San Francisco last September, and there were numerous security boats surrounding the ship throughout our stay.

 

One of my favorite things to do after boarding in Miami is to plant myself at either the outside area of the Oceanview or the very back of the Sunset and just watch the jet ski people and boats get intercepted by the ocean police guys. lol I don't know their formal title.

[purpletequila]

Well there is some comfort in this source being on the same level as the National Inquirer.

 

Until much more credible information is given, we need to treat this as the junk it is. That is not to say that this cannot be conceivable, but so are many other predictions, hypotheses, guesses, hunches, omens and conjectures.

 

If you listen to them all, you have a very limited quality of life.

 

Can anyone find any other much more reputable source that can make this more credible to happen in the present?

 

Here are a couple but like others have said, there's nothing any of us can do about it so we either go with our plans or not. That's about it.

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/02/articles/terrorism-1/experts-isis-poses-terrorist-threat-to-cruise-ships-in-mediterranean/

 

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/30/world/al-qaeda-documents-future/

[sylmack]

Here are a couple but like others have said, there's nothing any of us can do about it so we either go with our plans or not. That's about it.

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/02/articles/terrorism-1/experts-isis-poses-terrorist-threat-to-cruise-ships-in-mediterranean/

 

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/30/world/al-qaeda-documents-future/

 

Thanks for the info... but :

 

The CNN article is almost 4 years old and talks about a discussion paper written well before 2009.

 

Cruise Law News also has stated in the past that the Caribbean isn't safe, South America isn't safe, Alaska isn't safe, the Baltic should be boycotted, etc. etc. etc.

 

 

But, as stated, if you're going to be fearful on your cruise, maybe it's best to stay home. That will result in cheaper prices for those of us that aren't afraid of the dark. ;)

[Presto2]

I don't care what anyone says in response to this next statement but, to my mind, that ain't happening with former Israeli Defense Force trained guys in charge. They can size you up and sense you out in a minute flat.

 

This pretty much backs up what I said on a previous post. Felt very safe in Israel and if it is true that Celebrity make use of this expertise then I would be more than happy.

[Lady Chew]

Two years ago we took a cruise from Bangkok to Rome, via the Red Sea & Suez Canal. We had "spotters" come on in India and they stayed on the ship until we reached Israel, their home country. They were Israeli security forces, and they looked formidable. Don't think they would have had any problem handling a zodiac full of pirates trying to board!

Edited January 31, 2016 by Lady Chew