What precautions are cruise lines taking to protect people against pirates?
December 19, 2009 by Cruise Tips
Filed under Cruise Lines
Can you answer rachel_ann_82’s question about Cruises?:
I know it’s a silly question, but my boyfriend and I are considering taking a cruise this summer, but with pirate attacks on the rise recently, we’re a tad iffy about it.
I know it’s a silly question, but my boyfriend and I are considering taking a cruise this summer, but with pirate attacks on the rise recently, we’re a tad iffy about it.
What are cruise lines doing to keep people safe?
Yes, I know most attacks are near Somalia, but it still is something to think about!
The cruises we’d be interested in would be heading out toward Central and South America.
Discount Hawaiian Cruise
Cruises Feedback: well pirates are attacking ships off the coast of somalia and only somalia because they have crappy little motor boats, they arent going to get you anywhere that you would take a cruise, no body would wanna take a cruise to somalia….so ur safe! lol
Cruises Feedback: I was once on a cruise where it went to Cristobal which is in central America(sorry about the spelling) and while in port, they had like the Coast Guard, one on each side guarding out ship. They told the passengers not to go into town, but to stay in port. This was a business stop for a few hours. Anyways we were told that pirates were there, so no one went to town. On other cruises, the cruise ships always have someone guarding the ship while in port. So you can be assured that any cruise you go on will be safe unless you plan on going to Somalia.
Cruises Feedback: Give your BF a surgical mask and send him to Mexico
Meanwhile You can take a ferry in complete safety
Cruises Feedback: The majority of piracy issues have been around Somalia, and most of them actions against freighters and container ships rather than passenger ships. (A notable exception was when a small group of terrorists took the Achille Loro and killed a disabled passenger and dumped him into the Mediterranean a few years ago.) It is, therefore, unlikely though not impossible that your ship would be bothered by pirates. That being said, I will tell you that in 2005 I was on a Mediterranean cruise with the Queen Elizabeth 2, and while we were in port they sent scuba divers under the ship to check the bottom to be sure nobody had attached anything — ahem — harmful. Most passengers did not know about that, but in Alexandria some passengers did see the scuba divers and ask questions, so the Captain made the announcement. As I understand it, the cruise companies are trying to be extra careful about security on board, in port, and while underway, although they prefer to not to discuss it. I was recently on the Costa Fortuna — Ft. Lauderdale, through the Caribbean, and over to the Canaries and Madiera, ending in Genoa — and wouldn’t hesitate to travel again soon!
Cruises Feedback: Ive been on 15 cruises to that area, and no tons of people that have been on cruises. I doubt that pirates are gonna take down your ship.. Theres not much security on a ship anyways. But, why would pirates take something down as big as a cruise boat?
Cruises Feedback: They send scuba divers under the ship all the time…Most of the time its to do repairs not to check for anything. And not even in the MED unless it is Turkey. Most cruise lines also have a device called LARD. You will see security manning these when you are in port. This device sends out ultra high signals which will bursts your ear drums and is very painful.