'Primetime' Investigates Four Disappearances From Cruise Ships (Tonight)

[cruiser_carol]

I can't get over how callous people are being in this thread. Basically you just want the media attention to end so you can resume your cruising, is that it? I understand that you enjoy cruising, but defending the cruise companies for their actions when you don't know the whole story is baffling to me.

 

Cruise companies operate with near impunity - with the exception of complying with certain safety and environmental laws and running life drills, cruise companies are not legally obligated to report or investigate crimes and basically police themselves.

 

It's dumb to assume that people just got drunk and fell overboard. Alcohol may have been a factor, but foul play is possible too. It would be extremely easy to push someone overboard - you needn't lift them up as one person in this thread said, they'd just tilt/rotate over the railing. Maybe that's what's happening, or maybe people are falling overboard - who knows, because the cruise companies do everything in their power to prevent the public from finding out the truth. It's very, very bad for business to have people talking about this stuff.

 

It's not so hard to believe that 14 people went missing from cruise ships in 2 years. What is hard to believe is that all are a mystery as far as I know. Even the one man that survived doesn't remember how he ended up in the water. He didn't say he got pushed (as one person said here), he said he either fell or was thrown overboard but he doesn't remember which. I find it disconcerting that people are disappearing with no explanation - drinking too much is one thing, drinking so much that you black out and end up in the ocean is another. IMO, for this most recent husband and wife to have both had so much to drink that they blacked out is hard to believe - seems like foul play to me.

 

All I want, and probably most people, is to know what is causing these people to go overboard. But the cruise companies are standing in the way of the truth ever becoming known. Saying that the stellar Turkish authorities were done with their investigation and thus they could clean off the guy's blood and muck up a potential crime scene is a joke - those guys could probably be bought off with $500 and probably have terrible skills as it is. They didn't even interview the people that were staying in staterooms on either side of the accident scene, one of whom heard the "thump" and commotion. A cruise ship that obtains 99% of its revenue from the U.S. should be required to undergo a full investigation by FBI personnel when crimes occur, not a crappy investigation by some incompetent and disinterested foreign police.

 

Just in case anyone thinks Turkish police are necessarily honest folks, see below. Kudos Royal Caribbean for relying on these people, at least they helped you get your boat underway quickly:

http://news.scotsman.com/latest_international.cfm?id=2456792005

http://www.tesev.org.tr/mart/mar2.html

 

 

I totally agree with what you have said and you have expressed it very eloquently. I love The beautiful RCI ships and the wonderful cruises they offer..but there are many questions to be answered ,imo, of their handling of this and other incidents..So much defense of them by loyal customers always blaming the victim..but put your self in the place of one of these victims and their families and it will be a different story. It is easy to distrust and dislike Jennifer Hagel smith because of her cold manner and the strange way she handled herself. But I think of my own 23 year old son and his wife..what I would expect for them.

 

We were on the Legend in the Med just 3 weeks after this incident. Perhaps that is why security was so apparent. there were strict rules on drink and certainly no private alcohol could be consumed in lounges or bars. I have read many reports of this happening with the Smiths..The Russian lads supposedly having Absinthe a very strong illegal drink and encouraging them to drink more and more. If outsiders were aware of this drink being passed around, why werent the RC bar staff and security? This group are younger than the Smiths, a bit rowdy sort, and are playing up to the Smiths from day one.. who appear to be affluent. In a public casino etc these type of men acting this way are usually watched closely and suspected of being conmen. Befriending and getting drunk..then robbing. The same group are suspected of a video rape onboard but are simply put off ship in Italy? Were they turned over to police? and how were they able to commit 2 offenses on the same ship? they also carry off George..3 or 4 men..and no one looks into the situation? would RC have if a woman was being carried away? He could have been drugged.

 

Loud noises and a thump are reported in the cabin...security decides NOT to knock because it has gone quiet. Why? someone could be hurt inside. this was not the first disturbance noted there.. A very short time later..Jen is found asleep.drugged..drunk?? in a corridor on the floor. She is Never medically checked. She is taken back to the SAME CABIN WHERE A DISTURBANCE JUST TOOK PLACE...asked if OK..but despite not being completely alert or co herant..is left a around 5 am. No husband present..no check of the balcony..no search of the ship for him. I would have expected they keep a look out for her husband and keep check on the situation of both. However, no further checks till blood is spotted at 8:30 am. I would have thought a Red Flag would have gone off for RC that something was wrong here. Conveniently..The Russian group order

big Amounts of Room service to make sure they are noticed at the time in question.

 

In fact all of the incidents observed..excess drinking..flirting by Jen..kick in the groin to George....George being carried away by 3 or 4 men..Loads of noises and voices in the Cabin...and jen passed out in the corridor...Are All Like some play being staged and acted out. To Make sure People See What They Want Them To See! It just defies logical eplaination..so much public display. None of it seems Natural to me..not even for people drinking.. Like everyone else..Jen comes across dodgy..but the rest remains to be seen...

 

The cabin should also have been kept closed and untouched for many weeks..not just 6 days. RC are a massive corporation and are there to protect themselves. It is up to the families, sadly, to fight to gain the truth and I would be doing the same as the Smiths. They know their son better than anyone..the first stage of Any Legal Case is to Slag Off the Accuser and Discredit them. Let's not take verbatum All that is Reported about the couple by those onboard who barely knew them.

 

Aside from this case, On othe RC ships...whether or not that lone woman committed suicide or not..it is unthinkable and appalling that the ship did not report her missing. Just Completely erased her... until the family traced her to the ship. They even packed up all her belongings.. and gave away some.( if reports are true.) The room steward kept reporting the circumstances. It is not enough to claim to have sacked one person as responsible..as the entire Company is accountable for what goes on.The family were denied access to the ship and her cabin for months..and werent allowed to talk with the steward..said he was gone. another young womans bag is found by the rails and it is definitely not suicide...what's the story there?

 

These people havent the Financial means or the media exposure to pursue their case like the Smiths..Lets hope the Smith case highlites their situation and some explaination is found. No One should have to do battle to find out what happened to their loved one on a luxury cruise. It should be in the interest Of the Company to Assist...Not try to Hide the Facts...or makke everyon else to be the Bad Guy!

[mrstrod]

I honestly can't believe this is all such a big hoopla. I mean, come on, less than twenty people go missing out of millions. You have better odds of getting killed right at home. So what's the big deal already?

[1corona4u]

I honestly can't believe this is all such a big hoopla. I mean, come on, less than twenty people go missing out of millions. You have better odds of getting killed right at home. So what's the big deal already?

 

Or by lightnng....:)

[mrstrod]

Not to mention slipping & falling in the shower!

[cruiser_carol]

I honestly can't believe this is all such a big hoopla. I mean, come on, less than twenty people go missing out of millions. You have better odds of getting killed right at home. So what's the big deal already?

 

I think we would all agree that cruising is very safe..the numbers of incidents is not the question. I also agree that the Smith case is getting an awful lot of attention..but I believe the main interest of the posters and public is that we all like a good mystery...Not that we fear for our safety.. I wasn't even sure for a long time George wouldn't show up somewhere alive. I am Still unclear what to think with all the unusual events..that is where the public interest lies and keeps the media going. Solving the mystery!

 

Much the Same as the horrible deaths of the wife and beautiful baby of Neil Entwistle. We can't help reading the latest theory on that story.. despite how horrible a crime it is.

 

ButThere is still the real questions to be answered.. when people go missing onboard. It is Not Good enough to say they were drunk..or suicidal..etc. end of story. It is their fault. I find a big worry In the case of the woman alone that went missing from her cabin and was noted as such....the cruise line were not going to investigate initially.

 

IF REPORTS ARE ACCURATE, She was simply considered missing.... dismissed eventually as depressed..and written off. No Reports made to authorities.Not until the family found out did RC look into it. It is then unfair to try to pass it off as a definite suicide simply based on the fact she told no one she was onboard. As her dad says, she often traveled alone without notifying others and enjoyed those travels..especially cruising. He also states he has other adult kids and they seldom tell him where they are going at any time. I can confirm this as a mother of 3 young adults..with 3 partners..4 of which live in my home but feel their comings and goings should have no interest to me.

 

The only suggestion by all of this, is that ALL INCIDENTS be investigated thoroughly and openly. There should be no reflection on either the party or the cruise line in doing so. As you say accidents happen...and so do crimes..The Reasons must be looked into and if criminal elements are involved..either crew or other passengers...this must be dealt with in the proper manner. A crime should be no reflection of the cruise line anymore than when it happens at a holiday resort or home. Simply a fact of life. The lack of public trust and bad publicity comes if people feel they are not attempting to solve the problem. Which is a Big part the Smith Case is inferring. My main concern, if I were them, would be getting all the info I could, from as many people as possible and as many answers as possible. Also how the company responded...perhaps the threat of legal suit by the Smiths is their way of forcing the companies hand for all details and getting their attention..rather than for purely monetary gain.

 

As has been shown on these boards, it certainly hasn't hurt RC.. and has in fact drawn tremendous support for them. We have nothing but praise for our Med cruise and the way staff looked after us. but as I say, it was just 3 weeks after this incident and maybe security was stronger as a result. We even had to take off sunglasses and my husband had a hat he wore for the sun. Even though we chatted regularly to the security people at the gangway who knew us after a few days, on boarding and departing at ports, we always had to take our glasses and hat off when checking our seapass. My husband had to do it a second time..on more than one occasion to satisfy them that his photo was the same. We are cruising again this summer and really looking forward to it.

[mrstrod]

Yeah but ya know, I still say - blah blah blah! My views may be harse but I think you get what you ask for. These people WERE all admitted drinking too much! Not just drinking & having fun but drink TOO much - they've said it themselves.

 

Let me ask this - If they were doing this on land , do you think bad things couldn't have have happened? Of course they could have and probably more often than has happened on the ships too. Now, it is very possible that a few of them were drugged, but again this happens every night in some club somewhere in America girls get raped, and men & women get mugged and killed from it.

 

And as for the case of the woman alone on the cruise that went missing - Yep I think it was suicide. And if that truly is the case, then I really couldn't care less about them.

[carla64]

And as for the case of the woman alone on the cruise that went missing - Yep I think it was suicide. And if that truly is the case, then I really couldn't care less about them.

 

You must not be a mother. If my daughter went missing or committed suicide I would want someone to contact me. That has absolutely nothing to do with numbers. It's just the right thing to do. RCI had her personal information and her purse. They needed to let someone know. PERIOD. It's called responsibilty. That family deserved closure.

[Guest cvbart]

I honestly can't believe this is all such a big hoopla. I mean, come on, less than twenty people go missing out of millions. You have better odds of getting killed right at home. So what's the big deal already?

 

Do you think the family and friends of the people who are missing feel the same way as you?

[Guest cvbart]

Or by lightnng....:)

 

Just for fun, do you work for a cruise line? Maybe a TA?

[1corona4u]

Just for fun, do you work for a cruise line? Maybe a TA?

 

Nope. I have my own businesses, neither of which are travel related.

 

I'm just a realist, with an open mind.:D

[cruiser_carol]

Yeah but ya know, I still say - blah blah blah! My views may be harse but I think you get what you ask for. These people WERE all admitted drinking too much! Not just drinking & having fun but drink TOO much - they've said it themselves.

 

Let me ask this - If they were doing this on land , do you think bad things couldn't have have happened? Of course they could have and probably more often than has happened on the ships too. Now, it is very possible that a few of them were drugged, but again this happens every night in some club somewhere in America girls get raped, and men & women get mugged and killed from it.

 

And as for the case of the woman alone on the cruise that went missing - Yep I think it was suicide. And if that truly is the case, then I really couldn't care less about them.

 

Tara Ann...you sound very young and immature...just my opinion. I pray to God you never have something terrible happen to one of your family members similiar to the suspected suicide you mention.. Regarding Smith..All the people discussing his drinking were members of his group for most part..or people observing the Russians.. as known..pouring drinks down them. there is also conflicting reports that at 2:30 am neither were drinking.As I said in my messages...if on land in a decent casino and guys were dragging someone off.. or a legitimate bar on land..a BOUNCER WOULD almost certainly check it out. It is in their interest to see where he is being taken. Also what was going in the cabin minutes before a woman from that same cabin is found sprawled out on the floor..and More so, what happens afterwards? No one followed up on the situation.

 

Aside from the Smith case scenario, which also I said is a very odd situation all around.. Nothing seems to make sense or add up...Everyone seems guilty to me. The fact remains that RC (Apparently) DID NOT REPORT THIS WOMAN MISSING ON THE OTHER SHIP. THAT IS THE BIG QUESTION. depressed..alone..whatever..If your Sister..brother..Husband.. Wife..was missing on a ship.. For Whatever reason.and it was notified by staff that she was missing...IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE AUTHORITIES! END OF STORY. Weeks later the family discover that she is presumed overboard. How would you feel if it were your family member...or worse suppose someone tosses you over. would your family want it looked into? Or should e find ways to blame you? Perhaps you were partying too much..or met an unsavory character onboard..or didn't seem to be smiling in your cruise photos..so must be unhappy or depressed and committed suicide? ON LAND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED! and Investigated. Whether solved or not is another matter. You don't always get what you ask for..lots of Bad people are around even on cruise ships and things happen to those that don't expect or deserve it. But even an accident or suicide needs clarifying..not denying.

[rubrrick]

Tara Ann...you sound very young and immature...just my opinion. I pray to God you never have something terrible happen to one of your family members similiar to the suspected suicide you mention.. Regarding Smith..All the people discussing his drinking were members of his group for most part..or people observing the Russians.. as known..pouring drinks down them. there is also conflicting reports that at 2:30 am neither were drinking.As I said in my messages...if on land in a decent casino and guys were dragging someone off.. or a legitimate bar on land..a BOUNCER WOULD almost certainly check it out. It is in their interest to see where he is being taken. Also what was going in the cabin minutes before a woman from that same cabin is found sprawled out on the floor..and More so, what happens afterwards? No one followed up on the situation.

 

Aside from the Smith case scenario, which also I said is a very odd situation all around.. Nothing seems to make sense or add up...Everyone seems guilty to me. The fact remains that RC (Apparently) DID NOT REPORT THIS WOMAN MISSING ON THE OTHER SHIP. THAT IS THE BIG QUESTION. depressed..alone..whatever..If your Sister..brother..Husband.. Wife..was missing on a ship.. For Whatever reason.and it was notified by staff that she was missing...IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE AUTHORITIES! END OF STORY. Weeks later the family discover that she is presumed overboard. How would you feel if it were your family member...or worse suppose someone tosses you over. would your family want it looked into? Or should e find ways to blame you? Perhaps you were partying too much..or met an unsavory character onboard..or didn't seem to be smiling in your cruise photos..so must be unhappy or depressed and committed suicide? ON LAND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED! and Investigated. Whether solved or not is another matter. You don't always get what you ask for..lots of Bad people are around even on cruise ships and things happen to those that don't expect or deserve it. But even an accident or suicide needs clarifying..not denying.

 

Carol, you are quite right in your statement. However, sometimes I feel that the newsgroups sensationalize the story so that they can be paid. Seems that we don't listen to "good" news, just bad news.

Does anyone remember when the Legend of the Seas was headed for Hawaii, and someone wrote a note telling of a bomb being aboard. The ship sailed to Honolulu, where it was anchored a mile offshore while the FBI and Coast Guard and the Honolulu Police department scoured the ship and questioned each and every passenger. The perpatrator was found, and taken off of the ship. The passengers lost 2 plus days of port stops, but the Captain made the right call. How many times have the cruise lines security stopped a rape from occuring, or someone from attempting to do something to themselves because they are too drunk, and instead got them safely back to their cabin. These are the stories that you don't hear about, but happen.

 

Rick

[Papa C]

I have been just a "lurker" up to now and have followed the various threads on this situation without responding as I have a tendency to go on too long

 

Well---fell compelled to make a couple of comments. Firstly the death of anyone is a tragedy and if I were a family member I certainly would want answers. My problem with this whole thing is the placing of blame on the cruise line.

1. They are a vacation company-not a detective agency or police unit. RCI notified the proper authorities both in Turkey and the US (FBI). If the investigation was done improperly it was done so by the folks responsible.It is unrealistic to expect them to hold the ship indefinitely. If someone died/disappeared from a hotel on land you would not expect the hotel to lock down until further notice. The authorities would investigate and release the hotel to return to "normal" business. Why isn't the blame and anger directed towards the Turkish police and the FBI who 6 months after the Smith incident still are "investigating. Sounds like 2 good targets for law suits (this is called sarcasm).

2. RCI remained silent and respectful of the families and investigation for 5 months until Mrs Smith started making tabloid TV appearances and accusing them of "abandoning" her on the pier with no assistance. They provided Marie for the day which they were not obliged to do. I dare say that Ms Smith got considerably more assistance that you would have received if her husband had disappeared from a hotel, resort, nightclub, etc anywhere in the world including the US. As for the charge that they should have paid her way home, it probably would have been good PR but why didn't the US Consulate turn in the 2 return tickets they obviously had for a return flight? Then the whole subject of law suits started because, as we all know, money is the primary way of overcoming our grief!

3. Now I see that there is a web site devoted to "marine incidents" which, from a cursory look appear to be primarily about delayed sailings and missed ports. Such tragedies. If someone has this kind of time to waste on matters like this maybe they would like to start a web site tracking late air flights, missed connections, etc. I happen to love cruising and have throughly enjoyed all 11 that I have taken. I only wish getting to the ship could be as enjoyable as the cruise itself. We sailed on Grandeur in early Dec and with various delays ended up arriving in Tampa 4 hours late on the departure and arriving home 16 hours after the scheduled time (includes a $100 expenditure in Chicago for a hotel). Adding insult to injury was the fact that we were treated like pond scum by both United employees and O'Hare personnell. Would someone like to crusade about this industry? Is anyone keeping track of how many people disappear from trains around the world each year? I'm confident a good conspiracy theory could be outlined.

4, Yes, someone should have been notified of the disappearance of the lady from the Alaska cruise. However, to draw the conclusion that there was/is some kind of conspiracy is ludicrous and sadly typical of the view that "someone must be to blame".

 

See what I mean about going on too long. I would guess I will be "flamed" for my comments and if so will have to contempate suing for "mental anguish". For now I will return to my daydreams of being on an RCI ship with a fresh sea breeze on my face and a pina colada in my hand while watching the pretty girls around the pool.

[cruiseapril]

It seems that "justice" for all is a major concern here and that the cruise lines deserve to be "presumed innocent", as are all others involved in these cases. When all of the facts are in, then responsibility can be determined.

 

Cruise lines have specific "Codes of Conduct" which cover the gamut of behaviors. When someone signs up for a cruise, they should probably read the fine lines, to understand their level of responsibility.

[mbisson]

I can't get over how callous people are being in this thread. Basically you just want the media attention to end so you can resume your cruising, is that it? I understand that you enjoy cruising, but defending the cruise companies for their actions when you don't know the whole story is baffling to me.

 

Actually, working under our premise of innocent until proven guilty, I find it more baffling when one assumes guilt when they don't know the whole story.

 

jmo

-Monte

[tazdeb]

People need to realize that going on a cruise is like traveling to a foriegn country. The same type of rules of law and crime detection that happen here in America don't apply there. I think most passangers get too confortable on a cruise and let there guard down. Why on a honeymoon cruise would you be out at 2am drinking absenth with your husband and 3 other men? BUT,BUT, BUT, the cruise line should be held to some sort of responsibility if it wants to do buisiness in America. They could of continued the cruise and locked down the room until the FBI got there. The ladys belongings in Alaska should not have been thrown away etc..... come on where are theses ships security officers being trained? I have never felt unsafe on a cruise but I keep my guard up, besides maybe all this bad pub might lessen the demand thus prices might fall.

[Happy ks]

Scott1, Have you ever been on a cruise ship? I've only been on 6 of them, but I didn't ever find an area where I could have just "fallen off" and no, there would be no way a person could "push" you off without lifting you up into the air over 4 feet. The railings on cruise ships come up to my armpits and I'm 5'7".

 

I've lost a loved one to tragedy and I know first hand the pain it involves. I'm in no way callous at all to the families and friends of people who have lost anyone at sea. I just think that all the speculation of ships not being safe and the way the media is portraying these events is shameful. Accidents happen, especially when alcohol is involved.

 

I, for one, would absolutely hate it if the cruise industry somehow has to police every move I make when we're onboard a ship. While I do feel that the Merion Carver story was very poorly handled by the cruise line, I wonder just what people expect the cruise lines to do?

 

I find very little mystery in the incidents. Accidents involving alcohol and intentional suicide. It would be lovely if these things can be prevented, so perhaps each of us can watch out for the other pax and not expect the cruiselines to monitor our every move.

[cruiser_carol]

Carol, you are quite right in your statement. However, sometimes I feel that the newsgroups sensationalize the story so that they can be paid. Seems that we don't listen to "good" news, just bad news.

Does anyone remember when the Legend of the Seas was headed for Hawaii, and someone wrote a note telling of a bomb being aboard. The ship sailed to Honolulu, where it was anchored a mile offshore while the FBI and Coast Guard and the Honolulu Police department scoured the ship and questioned each and every passenger. The perpatrator was found, and taken off of the ship. The passengers lost 2 plus days of port stops, but the Captain made the right call. How many times have the cruise lines security stopped a rape from occuring, or someone from attempting to do something to themselves because they are too drunk, and instead got them safely back to their cabin. These are the stories that you don't hear about, but happen.

 

 

 

 

Hi Rick..good to chat with you again, I have been away for some time suffering with ill health. Like another poster said, I have been reading through all the details and stories of the Smiths without comment until now. You know I adored the Legend cruise and am a firm supporter of RC..I also have very mixed feelings about the Smith case.

 

I am of the same opinion as most..Jennifers' response to her missing husband..and her attending the spa only a few hours after being collapsed and supposedly out of it... all leaves a lot of questions. But I also had a few questions in my own mind regarding the follow up and interest RC showed in the situation as highlited in my above posts. Mainly seeing these in the perspective of it happening to me or someone in my family..rather than that personal case. This does not in any way influence my opinion of RC...nor have I appointed any blame. Just wonder why more checks weren't done and more questions asked during the incidents that unfolded during the cruise. these lads ( called the Russians).appeared to be troublesome from day one according to interviews from other passengers. They are also alleged to be part of a video rape? But as you say..it is public knowledge the media adapts the facts and the truth to sell papers and we are told what the Media wants us to know and in a manner they want to tell it.

 

The Incident of the Legend I have read about. The young woman who wanted to be with her boyfriend, instead of on the cruise, and left a note threatening a bomb thinking they would return home. I agree the response of the capt. was spot on. He took no Chances. Sadly that cost thousands of dollars in calling out the various authorities and diverting the ship. As well as,the fear..loss of ports and inconvenience it caused the passengers involved.

 

I feel the Smiths case is so much in the public eye.. because a lot of mystery and intrigue has been conjured up by the media. All the reports of rowdy behaviour and the many interesting characters involved..has twicked everyone into wanting to have a hand in solving the case. The apparent coolness and seeming indifference of Jennifer, as a young widow, has annoyed and influenced a lot of peoples opinions to the opposite. Blaming them completely and Appropriating No Responsibility to the cruise line at all...which is not so much a worry for this case.. but for others as mentioned.

 

The woman on her own...gone missing...reported by the steward and presumed overboard..but not reported. If a person went missing from a hotel room after a day.. though they were booked in for a week..and all their belongings were left in place.. including their handbag..The Police Would Be Called IN! Again this is if facts are correct as we read them. Take Care, Carol

[jdeubanks]

I have been just a "lurker" up to now and have followed the various threads on this situation without responding as I have a tendency to go on too long

 

Well---fell compelled to make a couple of comments. Firstly the death of anyone is a tragedy and if I were a family member I certainly would want answers. My problem with this whole thing is the placing of blame on the cruise line.

1. They are a vacation company-not a detective agency or police unit. RCI notified the proper authorities both in Turkey and the US (FBI). If the investigation was done improperly it was done so by the folks responsible.It is unrealistic to expect them to hold the ship indefinitely. If someone died/disappeared from a hotel on land you would not expect the hotel to lock down until further notice. The authorities would investigate and release the hotel to return to "normal" business. Why isn't the blame and anger directed towards the Turkish police and the FBI who 6 months after the Smith incident still are "investigating. Sounds like 2 good targets for law suits (this is called sarcasm).

2. RCI remained silent and respectful of the families and investigation for 5 months until Mrs Smith started making tabloid TV appearances and accusing them of "abandoning" her on the pier with no assistance. They provided Marie for the day which they were not obliged to do. I dare say that Ms Smith got considerably more assistance that you would have received if her husband had disappeared from a hotel, resort, nightclub, etc anywhere in the world including the US. As for the charge that they should have paid her way home, it probably would have been good PR but why didn't the US Consulate turn in the 2 return tickets they obviously had for a return flight? Then the whole subject of law suits started because, as we all know, money is the primary way of overcoming our grief!

3. Now I see that there is a web site devoted to "marine incidents" which, from a cursory look appear to be primarily about delayed sailings and missed ports. Such tragedies. If someone has this kind of time to waste on matters like this maybe they would like to start a web site tracking late air flights, missed connections, etc. I happen to love cruising and have throughly enjoyed all 11 that I have taken. I only wish getting to the ship could be as enjoyable as the cruise itself. We sailed on Grandeur in early Dec and with various delays ended up arriving in Tampa 4 hours late on the departure and arriving home 16 hours after the scheduled time (includes a $100 expenditure in Chicago for a hotel). Adding insult to injury was the fact that we were treated like pond scum by both United employees and O'Hare personnell. Would someone like to crusade about this industry? Is anyone keeping track of how many people disappear from trains around the world each year? I'm confident a good conspiracy theory could be outlined.

4, Yes, someone should have been notified of the disappearance of the lady from the Alaska cruise. However, to draw the conclusion that there was/is some kind of conspiracy is ludicrous and sadly typical of the view that "someone must be to blame".

 

See what I mean about going on too long. I would guess I will be "flamed" for my comments and if so will have to contempate suing for "mental anguish". For now I will return to my daydreams of being on an RCI ship with a fresh sea breeze on my face and a pina colada in my hand while watching the pretty girls around the pool.

 

 

Well Said!!!!!!!!!

[sicsinohio]

It truly is tragic for surviving family members when a loved one disappears, especially when there is no easy explanation. Sometimes it's accidental, sometimes foul play is involved, and sometimes it's intentional. Unless it can be proven without a doubt that foul play or gross neglegence is involved, there isn't really anyone to blame...it isn't anyone's fault. There are a lot of unanswered questions, but even if answers were found, those missing are still not going to come back. Nothing, including lawsuit money or placing blame on someone else, will bring them back.

 

The Primetime reporters appeared to me to be somewhat biased against the cruise lines. Are cruise lines supposed to have a complete forensic detective squad on board at all times just in case someone disappears? Are they responsible for shoddy police investigations done by detectives in foreign ports?

Sounds like the honeymooners were stupid drunk, as well as the guy who went overboard and survived. How could you go into a casino and then find yourself all alone in the ocean with no recollection of how you got there? Sounds a little fishy to me, no pun intended. And speaking of fishy, what's with the woman who went to Alaska and disappeared, but never told her 13-year-old daughter or anyone else that she was going on a cruise? If that is true, as was reported, that, in itself, is kind of weird, don't you think? :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Fury1995]

People need to realize that going on a cruise is like traveling to a foriegn country. The same type of rules of law and crime detection that happen here in America don't apply there. I think most passangers get too confortable on a cruise and let there guard down. Why on a honeymoon cruise would you be out at 2am drinking absenth with your husband and 3 other men? BUT,BUT, BUT, the cruise line should be held to some sort of responsibility if it wants to do buisiness in America. They could of continued the cruise and locked down the room until the FBI got there. The ladys belongings in Alaska should not have been thrown away etc..... come on where are theses ships security officers being trained? I have never felt unsafe on a cruise but I keep my guard up, besides maybe all this bad pub might lessen the demand thus prices might fall.

 

I believe they did.

 

From the RCI Statement:

 

Mrs. Hagel Smith, in conversations with her father and the ship Captain, had stated she wished to join her parents and return home as soon as possible. Only after the police released Mrs. Hagel Smith and completed their examination of the cabin did the Captain allow Marie, the ship officer who had accompanied her all day during the investigation, to retrieve her belongings from her cabin and deliver them to her so she could return home to be reunited with her family. Aside from that one brief period when her belongings were being packed between approximately 6-6:30 p.m. on July 5, the cabin remained closed and off limits for another six days.

 

During this six-day period, Royal Caribbean was in continual communication with the FBI. In fact, as noted below, it was the FBI agent who acted as an intermediary in giving Marie the safe combination so that she could retrieve Mrs. Hagel Smith's belongings from the cabin. In addition, an FBI agent boarded the ship and inspected the cabin on July 7.

 

On two additional occasions (July 8 and 9, 2005), Royal Caribbean also advised the FBI that the cruise was ending in Barcelona on July 11, 2005, and it was standard procedure for the cabin to be cleaned and placed into service. Royal Caribbean specifically invited the FBI aboard the vessel to conduct their own investigation. The FBI acknowledged they understood the situation and in fact sent an agent to board the vessel and inspect the cabin before it was cleaned. In addition, on July 8, 2005, Royal Caribbean's President also specifically asked the FBI if there was anything further Royal Caribbean could do to help in the investigation. The FBI made no further requests of Royal Caribbean during this time. Receiving no objection or instructions from the FBI to the contrary, and knowing that the Turkish authorities already conducted forensic testing and released the cabin, Royal Caribbean saw no reason not to follow standard procedure and prepared the room for the guests who had pre-reserved the cabin. Three days later on July 14, 2005, for the first time, the FBI called and requested that the cabin be vacated and remain empty. Royal Caribbean complied with this request and has continued to comply with all requests from the FBI to the present.

[mrstrod]

You must not be a mother. If my daughter went missing or committed suicide I would want someone to contact me. That has absolutely nothing to do with numbers. It's just the right thing to do. RCI had her personal information and her purse. They needed to let someone know. PERIOD. It's called responsibilty. That family deserved closure.

 

 

I most deffinately am a mother, and 1 of my most important jobs as a mother is to teach my children to be RESPONSIBLE! I am all for having fun but come on those smiths and even the gut that fellow overnoard and was found we all being less than responsible. You don't go drinking like a crazy lunatic and expect good things to happen.

 

As for the porter that mentioned the Russians plying the smiths with drinks - I heard no mention of a gun being held to the Smith's heads to make them drink like that.

 

As for the families, Yes I can conjur up a little sadness for them but honestly at this point they just seem like witch hunters now. To me, is all about making the cruise lines responsible in the eyes of the public so that when they get them into court, they'll get a nice big payday!

[sicsinohio]

I most deffinately am a mother, and 1 of my most important jobs as a mother is to teach my children to be RESPONSIBLE!

 

Amen! I, too, am a mom, and if an adult child of mine was involved in a tragedy that he brought upon himself by his irresponsible behavior, I would feel terrible for him, but I sure wouldn't compound the pain by blaming others for something that should have never happened.

[mrstrod]

Unfortunately people now-a-days don't share these views and are always seeking to blame sthings on others.