Kind of getting the creeps!

[DVCajun]

The recent disappearances and info about the lack of US jurisdiction at sea has started to give me the creeps! Here's a quote by twoboysmom from the thread about the woman most recently missing from Carnival:

What GrumpyTink reports about "no law" at sea is true. I was listening to a Milwaukee radio station shortly after this happens. The host sells a cruise every year for listeners. He stated that he tells his people on his cruise to always travel in groups (especially women) and don't drink too much.

If something happens while at sea and the ship is not a U.S. registered ship they just put the offender off at the next port. This includes all sorts of crimes. He knows two people murdered while on a trip. One on a ship by a crew member and one who thought he could get a better deal sight seeing with a crew member from the port. That person was taken to the top of a mountain and murdered. The crew member never returned to the ship and just disappeared.

These ships are huge floating cities and what can happen at home can happen on a cruise. Don't mean to put a damper on things, but just don't let your guard down because you are on vacation.

Suddenly the water looks dark and scary to me.

 

[my3kids]

He "knows" 2 people who have been murdered??? That all sounds so urban legend to me.

 

[cruisenewbie2004]

I'm quite certain that the local government has policies about dumping criminals at the next port. Hey, sure, drop your criminals here. No problem.

That is about the silliest thing I've heard.

 

[CheapMom]

I know the ships have places where they can "detain" people. I would not believe that someone knows two people that were murdered on cruiseships.

 

[Dreamer04]

This article is a few years old, but I think it supports what DVCajun posted.

"Accused crew members are sometimes put ashore at the next port with airfare to their home country.

http://www.amo-union.org/Newspaper/Morgue/8-1999/Sections/News/carnival.htm

 

[CheapMom]

I am not saying it didn't happen but the radio host said he knew two people who were murdered- I doubt that. Maybe he heard of two people who were murdered but I doubt he knew them both.

 

[tecdavidt]

Actually a couple years back and it may have even been three years ago, there was a cruise over in the Pacific, Tahiti somewhere over there, there was a murder. It was covered by the big networks and there was even a special report that I watched that told what happened and why the US govt. was helpless.

A couple saved and saved to take this trip. They went as first class as they could but they were not a wealthy couple by any means. During the cruise the husband turned up missing. I can't remember a lot of the details but in the end, even the US govt. thinks it was crew members who thought the man was rich. The report explained how our govt. hands were tied. It was a shocking report since my husband and myself love to cruise.

This was no Urban legend. If you go back and do some research you will find it. I don't know about two murders but I do know about this one man.
Kathy

 

[6griswolds]

OK.......You all are now starting to freak me out a little!

 

[bratray]

well, this is why i have a problem with some people letting their "younger" kids sign themselves in and out of the kids clubs...and by younger i mean between the ages of 7 to 11- most people wouldn't leave their "tweens" at a big mall unattended so why would they feel safe enough to let them roam a huge ship- i believe in better safe then sorry.....just because you are on DCL doesn't mean that there aren't people with bad intentions amongst you

JMHO

 

[myboysmom]

Yes, I know it sounds like I made this up. I was listening to WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee when "the Big Unit" told the listeners and the hosts of the "Green House" about these two incidents and what he does to help those traveling on his trips stay safe. You may be correct that he did not "know" the people personally, although I thought he said he did. He may just be "aware" of them because of his business selling cruises.

Here is just some of the info I found about staying safe: http://www.crimedoctor.com/cruise1.htm Note the part about having a "family plan" and this one: http://www.securityworld.com/library/travelrec/vacationcrime.html

And here is what a lawyer has to say: http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/A~1015081~LDS/Cruise+Ships.html

We are also planing a wonderful, once in a lifetime cruise trip with two kids. I am not canceling my trip, but I am planning on being careful with my family and just following some common sense.

 

[jhorstma]

Many, many people cruise every year, so statistically there will be many crimes (usually thefts I would imagine, but also violent crimes). I'm guessing that the vast majority occur at destinations (which of course would fall under the jurisdiction of the locality), but a not-insignificant amount also occur by guests or crew on the cruise ships. So you keep your eye on things the same way you would at WDW or anywhere else on vacation.

As to the lack of US govt. protection - that's probably true, however reputable lines would quickly get hammered by negative publicity, lawsuits, and ultimately a fall-off in paying customers if violent crime were to occur more than a couple times on-board in any given time period. If cruising gains a perception as being dangerous people simply won't do it. This is especially true for a "niche" line like Disney - if people don't feel safe dropping their kids off at the kids clubs nobody would cruise with them.

So while the occasional Achille Lauro (sp?) incident will occur (as well as less notable violent crimes on the high seas), my guess is that DCL (like WDW and Disneyland) has some very effective means to ensure security on board.

 

[my3kids]

In the last week, seems to have been more dangerous to be online in a forum similar to this talking about dogs than to be on a cruise ship.....

There are crazy people everywhere...hospitals, malls, schools, and churches. The incidence of problem on cruise ships is no higher than the world at large.

 

[myboysmom]

You are so very right My3kids.

That was the point I have been trying to make. Do not throw all of your cares to the world when you are on vacation. I truly believe most people in the world are good, caring individuals. But, just like you lock your doors at night, wear your seat belt (because of the other guy) and don't walk alone at night, you should do the same thing on your vacation.

I also tend to think some companies do a better job protecting guests than others. Also, the Disney line ships are much smaller then some of these very large ships.

 

[bratray]

This is especially true for a "niche" line like Disney - if people don't feel safe dropping their kids off at the kids clubs nobody would cruise with them.

So while the occasional Achille Lauro (sp?) incident will occur (as well as less notable violent crimes on the high seas), my guess is that DCL (like WDW and Disneyland) has some very effective means to ensure security on board.

i feel my child will be safe at the clubs and would drop my DS5 off at the club without hesitation but wouldn't let him sign himself in and out till he was at least 12- i wouldn't feel right about him roaming the ship unattended

yes, bad things happen everywhere- but i think the original posters intent was to remind people that even though you are on vacation & everything is suppose to be wonderful....sometimes not so wonderful things can happen

basically, just be aware of your surroundings & have a great time

 

[ivanova]

I am not saying it didn't happen but the radio host said he knew two people who were murdered- I doubt that. Maybe he heard of two people who were murdered but I doubt he knew them both.

He probably meant he know of two people that were murdered....