European Cruisers: How bad are the pick pocketers?

[CampbellzSoup]

Hey my favorite people!

I'm taking one of the cruises of my dreams, and decided to obviously ask the more seasoned travelers here what's the deal with the pick pocketers? I've been doing a bit of research on this matter, and it seems like it's a really bad problem. Obviously living in NYC, and traveling to Manhattan on public transpiration daily I know not to let my guard down; however this never happened to me.

Just wondering for those in the know to help a fresh travelers to Europe not have their first vacation there be smeared by theft.

Thanks

 

[LSUfan4444]

Treat it the same as you do any large city and you shouldn't have any issue.

 

[olafLover]

.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I'm kind of scared about everybody caring guns everywhere...

Its far from everybody. Its not even close to the majority. Like I said to the OP, do as you would do in any other large city and you should be fine.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I'm Dutch and have never been pick pocketed, but I visited a lot of major cities in Europe. Had three occasions where it was prevented by somebody being alert (all of them in Rome coincidently). A friend has been pick pocketed in Barcelona, so it does happen, just not sure it's really such a big deal as everybody makes it out to be.

In the mean time, I'm on the transatlantic cruise to New York in september, we'll stay in New York for 5 days afterwards, it's our first time in the USA and I'm kind of scared about everybody caring guns everywhere...

In Manhattan if that's where your staying gun crime is SO rare...

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Hey my favorite people!

I'm taking one of the cruises of my dreams, and decided to obviously ask the more seasoned travelers here what's the deal with the pick pocketers? I've been doing a bit of research on this matter, and it seems like it's a really bad problem. Obviously living in NYC, and traveling to Manhattan on public transpiration daily I know not to let my guard down; however this never happened to me.

Just wondering for those in the know to help a fresh travelers to Europe not have their first vacation there be smeared by theft.

Thanks

We went last year and had no problems at all. Our FB group for it was about 400 people strong and I did read one person got picked in Barcelona, the day they arrived.

 

[dcassetta]

Hey my favorite people!

I'm taking one of the cruises of my dreams, and decided to obviously ask the more seasoned travelers here what's the deal with the pick pocketers? I've been doing a bit of research on this matter, and it seems like it's a really bad problem. Obviously living in NYC, and traveling to Manhattan on public transpiration daily I know not to let my guard down; however this never happened to me.

Just wondering for those in the know to help a fresh travelers to Europe not have their first vacation there be smeared by theft.

Thanks

Although pickpockets can occur anywhere, you're more likely to experience this on a Mediterranean cruise then you're on one of the British Isles or northern Europe. Here's a good article from Rick Steves about using a money belt, a neck wallet it would work well also. The advice about keeping your eyes open and being aware of your surroundings good, but some of the pickpockets have developed incredibly sophisticated systems for parting you from your money. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/travel-moneybelt

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Although pickpockets can occur anywhere, you're more likely to experience this on a Mediterranean cruise then you're on one of the British Isles or northern Europe. Here's a good article from Rick Steves about using a money belt, a neck wallet it would work well also. The advice about keeping your eyes open and being aware of your surroundings good, but some of the pickpockets have developed incredibly sophisticated systems for parting you from your money. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/travel-moneybelt

Thanks so much

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Especially in Rome and specifically by the Colosseum, young boys & girls in their early teens are the 'experts'. One evening while dining near the Colosseum, an American woman had her purse stolen from the back of her chair. Keep all valuables out of sight & under your clothing. As others have said be vigilant of your surroundings.

 

[wilkeliza]

Eh I just spent 2 weeks in France/Italy/Spain doing a Mediterranean Cruise on a Silverseas boat. I imagine the people in those areas know which ships have what type of clients (we heard oh thats an expensive boat several times during the 12 days) and our group of 19 never had any problems. Of course be smart and alert, don't put your purse on back of chairs or leave unattended but all men made it back with their wallets even kep in backpockets and all ladies made it with their purse.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm Dutch and have never been pick pocketed, but I visited a lot of major cities in Europe. Had three occasions where it was prevented by somebody being alert (all of them in Rome coincidently). A friend has been pick pocketed in Barcelona, so it does happen, just not sure it's really such a big deal as everybody makes it out to be.

In the mean time, I'm on the transatlantic cruise to New York in september, we'll stay in New York for 5 days afterwards, it's our first time in the USA and I'm kind of scared about everybody caring guns everywhere...

Just so you know NYC has some of the strictest gun laws. Sure there are bad guys who have them but I imagine you won't be in far away from tourist areas so you'll be pretty safe. I've been here for 10 years and know 1 person who owns here. Owning alone is hard and it is even harder to get a carry permit.

 

[GPaLarry]

Last Sept. I got pickpocketed in a gift shop across the street from the entrance to Park Guell in Barcelona (DCL B2B Med./Trans.). It was only day $$ with the serious stuff in a money belt under my shirt. YouTube has videos showing how these guys/gals/kids work with scams and stealth. Kids have small hands and can get into the smallest pocket opening. Our hotel staff told us that Barcelona was the pickpocket capital of Europe. It was my fault for leaving the money in an obvious pocket. Live and learn!!

 

[aggiedog]

When I travel - Europe or even Houston, I just try to stay alert to my surroundings, and make it hard for pickpockets to get a my stuff. I have a small cross body bag that I keep in front of me. I never hang if off of one shoulder, and I never hang it on a chair while eating, etc. I keep my wallet in a zippered pocket inside the zippered bag. I never carry a lot of cash. I do have a neck wallet and a money belt that I've used for certain trips. I will probably use one on our upcoming trip as several of our tour providers are asking for Euros in cash.

I have to say my favorite travel purse is a Pacsafe bag. It is cut proof, and has a lock that will keep the zipper locked. It also has a lock/clasp on the strap that allows me to strap it thru the chair I'm sitting on. It's also RFID protected, FWIW, though that is not really a huge concern for me. I like the protective aspect of it, but more importantly, it's comfortable, bright orange (easier to spot), and holds an inordinate amount of stuff for such a small bag.

I do carry a cheap backpack sometimes, but I only put water bottles, umbrella, maybe a sweatshirt, etc, in it.

 

[rcchello]

My mother was pick pocketed in London and "gypsy" kids tried to pickpocket me in Paris. There are pickpockets in every major city in the USA and the rest of the world. Read up on how to avoid pickpockets and common scams they run ( condiment spills).

In the Northeast of the USA the cities have pretty tight gun laws, so very few people have guns outside their homes or shooting ranges. I always thought it funny when I went to states where ever one has a shotgun in their pickup trucks.

 

[jrabbit]

How to reduce the incidence of and the monetary lose due to pick pockets

• Be aware of your surroundings. And look for the "signs", and don't be afraid to come off as rude.
  • Any "commotion" that will draw your attention away from your stuff
    • Like a couple of people getting into an argument or actual fight
    • someone blocking the exit from an escalator - bending over to pick something up to jam / jumble up the people
  • Street Performers, living statue, artists, etc
  • Petition Gatherers
  • A bigger person stopping you to ask a question with a smaller person (under 12) that will be picking your pocket.
• When someplace where you will be jostled and lacking personal space (like bus 64 in Rome). Stay on FULL Alert. Hopefully you aren't carrying so much stuff that you can't "Protect" it. In places like this IF I have a bag - it's in front of me and I have my hand in my pocket where my day wallet is.
• Don't draw attention to where you are keeping your stuff
  • I've seen many street signs in cities throughout Europe and Asia where in either words or pictures - it says, "Beware of Pickpockets". I can't count the number of tourists that upon seeing those signs, immediately pat each of their pockets where they have money, cameras or phones - so you just told any bad guys were to reach!
• Wear your money belt or around the neck wallet UNDER you clothes (Pants, shirt, etc). I have met people who have not understood how they were pick pocketed when wearing their money belt OUTSIDE of their pants, or just had the around the neck wallet flopping (with their money and passport) around outside of their tops, like it was a necklace or something.
• Bring a small "day wallet" where you keep enough money readily available for your next purchases (Admissions, Souvenirs, meals) and are "ok with" losing. When you are someplace "more" private - in a restaurant or a rest room, move money from your bank (money belt) into your day wallet. You can get a reasonable sized "pouch" for this that you can clip inside your pants as well, or something with loops that you can put on your belt (and then into your pants as well)
• When we travel, we keep our Real Wedding Rings (the ones with the diamonds ... no matter how small) at home in the safe. We wear simple plain bands when traveling. DW will continue to wear her diamond stud earrings, and usually will not bring a necklace. There again, if you must wear jewelry, make sure it's not the big, flashy stuff, unless it's cheep. But just keep it plain and simple, because out of all of the tourists, you don't want to be the one that catches the bad guy's attention.

And finally, my favorite - It doesn't stop the crime but ... well...., cut the pockets out of your pants and then when someone sticks their hand in there, they will get something that they weren't expecting.

 

[mevelandry]

Especially in Rome and specifically by the Colosseum, young boys & girls in their early teens are the 'experts'. One evening while dining near the Colosseum, an American woman had her purse stolen from the back of her chair. Keep all valuables out of sight & under your clothing. As others have said be vigilant of your surroundings.

Never leave a purse on a chair, anywhere, ever. It happens in Montreal too and we're one of the safest towns in North America.

 

[aggiedog]

"Don't be afraid to be rude.." is good advice. Many times pickpockets, scam artists, or just pushy vendors will try to engage you. Traveling with a very sweet friend, she always wanted to be polite and respond back. Wrong response. Don't make eye contact and just strongly say "no thank you" and keep walking. It's not rude, it's street wise.

 

[mhconley]

I'm Dutch and have never been pick pocketed, but I visited a lot of major cities in Europe. Had three occasions where it was prevented by somebody being alert (all of them in Rome coincidently). A friend has been pick pocketed in Barcelona, so it does happen, just not sure it's really such a big deal as everybody makes it out to be.

In the mean time, I'm on the transatlantic cruise to New York in september, we'll stay in New York for 5 days afterwards, it's our first time in the USA and I'm kind of scared about everybody caring guns everywhere...

Just so you know NYC has some of the strictest gun laws. Sure there are bad guys who have them but I imagine you won't be in far away from tourist areas so you'll be pretty safe. I've been here for 10 years and know 1 person who owns here. Owning alone is hard and it is even harder to get a carry permit.

I think that poster may have been using sarcasm... at least I hope so. It is stereotypical for Americans to believe there are pick-pockets everywhere in European cities and reciprocally stereotypical for Europeans to believe everyone in America is carrying a gun.

Also, I'd be far more concerned with thugs carrying illegal firearms than law abiding citizens licensed to carry. Chicago has among the strictest gun control laws in the nation and conversely among the highest rates of gun violence.

Martin

 

[SteveMP]

"Europe" is pretty broad. I thinknit depends mainly which cities your cruise stops in, and if its a known gypsy city.

 

[cheermom2four]

Even Rick Steves isnt immune to being pick pocketed (this was from June 10, 2017)
http://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/pickpocketed-paris/