How to enjoy your cruise!

[babs135]

Preparing to meet pirates on the Sea Princess

 

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/cruise-passengers-ordered-to-switch-off-lights-and-music-at-night-to-be-prepared-for-pirate-attack/ar-AApILfd?li=AAmiR2Z&ocid=spartandhp

[paul929207]

We have loved every one

[easyboy]

10 dark days & nights is really not what you expect when you cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Ziggy7]

WoW!!! That would have freaked me out!!!

[Wayfairers]

This is normal for ships in that part of the world. I doubt it was a surprise to anyone on board. We had black out conditions in that part of the world on HAL. Awesome stars at night that way!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Keith1010]

One time at sea we had to close shades of rooms and not look out from public rooms due to concerns about pirates but not like this one.

 

Keith

[champagne123]

Yikes!!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

That would be scary.

[Clarea]

Preparing to meet pirates on the Sea Princess

 

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/cruise-passengers-ordered-to-switch-off-lights-and-music-at-night-to-be-prepared-for-pirate-attack/ar-AApILfd?li=AAmiR2Z&ocid=spartandhp

Interesting, thanks for the link.:)

[OzKiwiJJ]

As already discussed in the threads below, that article is an oversensationalized piece of trashy journalism. About 5% fact and 95% fiction.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2530679

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2531048

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2530999

[DirtyDawg]

Here is the original that Ms. Jasinski wrote which was picked up by the Telegraph and others.

 

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/travellers-stories/preparing-for-pirates-on-the-sea-princess/news-story/3d246907213393ab06f5af6335fbae31

 

Interesting situation.

 

"No deck parties, no movies under the stars, no late-night outdoor bar hopping or pool dipping.

No lights, no party atmosphere, no lapping up tropical breezes on their balconies."

So what fun stuff can Mrs. Dawg and I do for ten dark nights on our world cruise? Suggestions welcomed.

[John Bull]

As already discussed in the threads below, that article is an oversensationalized piece of trashy journalism. About 5% fact and 95% fiction.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2530679

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2531048

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2530999

 

Thank you for that voice of reason. :)

 

As soon as I saw the captain's reference to "no specific threat" I concluded that either the captain was paranoid or it was exaggerated sensational journalism.

Glad to see that the problem lays with the journalists & not the captain.

 

BTW we sailed that way some years ago on a small cruise ship, and sensible precautions were taken. Razor wire was strung below low open decks and fire hoses laid out ready.

But hijacking a cruise ship is fraught.

Cargo ships are a much better target. Just a small crew, and a valuable cargo that doesn't have to be watched, fed and watered.

 

Bear in mind these are pirates, not terrorists. They have no political or religious agenda, they do what they do purely for profit.

 

JB :)

[Wayfairers]

Here is the original that Ms. Jasinski wrote which was picked up by the Telegraph and others.

 

 

 

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/travellers-stories/preparing-for-pirates-on-the-sea-princess/news-story/3d246907213393ab06f5af6335fbae31

 

 

 

Interesting situation.

 

 

 

"No deck parties, no movies under the stars, no late-night outdoor bar hopping or pool dipping.

 

No lights, no party atmosphere, no lapping up tropical breezes on their balconies."

 

 

So what fun stuff can Mrs. Dawg and I do for ten dark nights on our world cruise? Suggestions welcomed.

 

 

 

Go outside and star gaze.......and it is how we met the captain - he was enjoying the views too and pointed out constellations to us.

 

We sailed the same waters on our 90 day Passage to Asia on HAL. Other than the outside being dark we didn't notice many differences. The water cannons were activated with guards 24hrs a day by them, extra security was brought on board. We had blackout conditions for a while - I didn't count the days. The passengers didn't freak out, all the indoor entertainment continued. The captain did a great job keeping everyone informed.

 

We did have a small boat crossing the canal that looked to be on a path to intercept us and the water cannon guard appeared to not have noticed it so my DH told him about it, he got on the radio and soon we changed course, the small boat changed course in the opposite direction and then an Italian Navy ship took off after the boat. We had escorts in that area and I suspect that Italian ship was one of our escorts. I also suspect that boat was a fisherman not paying attention.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited August 10, 2017 by Wayfairers

[Cruisercl]

As already discussed in the threads below, that article is an oversensationalized piece of trashy journalism. About 5% fact and 95% fiction.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2530679

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2531048

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2530999

 

Yes, thank you!

Welcome to the media in the USA - they over-sensationalize and trash everything no matter what the topic. They are looking at 'journalism' in the rear view mirror.

 

Very glad everyone is safe - quite the experience; not that surprising considering the present day world.

Safe sailing all! :)

[ashoor]

Time for a few machine guns on cruise ships that pass through these pirate-infested regions :p

[SteveH2508]

Time for a few machine guns on cruise ships that pass through these pirate-infested regions :p

 

I do recall once seeing a picture of a ship (probably a cargo ship) with a GPMG mounted on the railing during the pirate troubles. Having put many thousands of rounds through one (target practice not in action), I would be quite prepared to man one for 'board, beer and lodging'; (and some target practice:rolleyes: which fits with the thread title quite nicely).

Edited August 10, 2017 by SteveH2508

[Kartgv]

Yes, thank you!

Welcome to the media in the USA - they over-sensationalize and trash everything no matter what the topic....

 

The original article was written by an Australian "journalist", though it may have subsequently been picked up by other news agencies - as if there weren't enough 'real' scary stuff going on in the world to keep us occupied.

[OzKiwiJJ]

For the real facts read post #25 by packetau

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2530679&page=2

[OzKiwiJJ]

The original article was written by an Australian "journalist", though it may have subsequently been picked up by other news agencies - as if there weren't enough 'real' scary stuff going on in the world to keep us occupied.

 

Unfortunately some Australian "journalists" aren't above writing sensational rubbish. :mad:

 

I'm not sure who she writes for, I've never seen her name mentioned before this.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for sharing this.

Keith

[Mcdonaldbam]

deleted