Not a pleasant topic but is anyone concerned about recent events in Europe and safety?

[Westcoastwild]

For the LGBTQAI+ community it was both a hate crime and an act of terrorism, and yes, we do have reason to be concerned about repeats in spaces that have been considered safe for us.

Consider yourself privileged as a straight, cis-gendered person that you have the freedom that "it wouldn't even occur to [you] to be concerned over something like that".

Fair enough. Through that lens, Pulse would be terrifying, although the guy could have opened up fire in any public space. I thought I'd heard he'd considered Disney Springs. But I'd still argue that Portland transit is as safe as it was for anyone. Knife wielding maniacs could happen on any transit system. And racism was his excuse, but he could have easily decided he didn't like someone's tshirt or hair or piercings or the way they were looking at him.

I guess what I'm saying is that yeah, that sort of thing is scary, but those are crazy people. Not organized terrorists with targets. I understand cancelling plans because of the second, but you'd be a shut in if you worried about running into the crazy ones.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We are headed back to Europe this summer and as a mother, of course I do have some of the same concerns and I think that's 100% normal. I grew up in Europe and it's not the "same" Europe I grew up in however neither is the rest of the world. I have returned many, many times since I moved here permanently and I definitely agree with the thought - driving to the airport is likely the most dangerous part of our trip. We will also be in Germany and Austria before arriving in Barcelona for the med cruise and will be gone almost 3 weeks.

Not to turn this into something else, I think I'm honestly more concerned with pick-pocketers than I am an organized attack because the likelihood that will happen is far greater. Not sure that's a good thing or a bad thing! It's so true as many say, always be aware of surroundings and remind your family of that too. I remind myself, at least in the majority of pick pocket instances, they aren't violent attacks and we do have to keep living our lives. I would not be the person I am today if I had not grown up overseas (military brat) and travelled the world. My DH and DS have already been to Europe with me before however my DS will get to see Germany this time which is where I spent most of my time (along with Italy).

I think it's a good idea to talk to kids, come up with any safety type plans you need to if you get separated, keep copies of your passports in separate areas, etc.

I hope you have a great trip and lots of happy memories

Heather

 

[Westcoastwild]

I live in Ireland and am very aware of whats going on in Europe. When you go on a Disney Cruise you are very much in a cruise bubble world. Even if something happens at a port you are heading to, the most you will see or know about is that you either go to a different port or have an extra at sea day. Dublin,Ireland , just like many of the European posts rely heavily on the revenue from the cruise industry so if passengers cancel, the cruise lines may decide to change routes and ports.

Just think of it the other way, I continue to travel to USA while so many Europeans have cancelled or wont travel to USA any more. There are alot of safety concerns for Europeans visiting USA, not just the impact of the current administration, but things like the mass shooting and difference in gun laws, the tornadoes and earthquakes and just safety in general.

Take a look at some figures on the drop in tourist visiting USA in the last 12 months for example and what this means for USA economy.

Are those actual reasons your friends and coworkers cite, though. Because literally, none of that is new to the last 12 months. The administration is but I doubt that effects tourism that much. Everything else has happened for years if not decades.

I agree with the other poster who mentioned economy. I think that's a huge factor. Brits, Australians, and Brazilians used to come to the states specifically to shop, and I haven't seen any chatter about that in the last year or two. They can't afford to do it.

 

[kaseyC]

Not to turn this into something else, I think I'm honestly more concerned with pick-pocketers than I am an organized attack because the likelihood that will happen is far greater. Not sure that's a good thing or a bad thing! It's so true as many say, always be aware of surroundings and remind your family of that too. I remind myself, at least in the majority of pick pocket instances, they aren't violent attacks and we do have to keep living our lives. I would not be the person I am today if I had not grown up overseas (military brat) and travelled the world. My DH and DS have already been to Europe with me before however my DS will get to see Germany this time which is where I spent most of my time (along with Italy).

I agree with you about pick-picketers. Rick Steven just posted on FB about being pick pocketed in Italy, I believe. This is a man who has spent his life traveling and advising others so, yes it can happen to anyone.

I also add that some of us have some bad habits in the US. We have traveled extensively through out Europe and parts of Asia and US stores are still one of the only places I've see women leave their purses in the child seat of the shopping cart!

 

[cruiser21]

Are those actual reasons your friends and coworkers cite, though. Because literally, none of that is new to the last 12 months. The administration is but I doubt that effects tourism that much. Everything else has happened for years if not decades.

I agree with the other poster who mentioned economy. I think that's a huge factor. Brits, Australians, and Brazilians used to come to the states specifically to shop, and I haven't seen any chatter about that in the last year or two. They can't afford to do it.

It's a good time for us Americans to travel. I'm going to Canada this year and London next. If the dollar stays strong and the pound continues to drop it will be a lot more affordable then the last time I was in London. I can't imagine anyone not visiting a country because you have different political beliefs then the leader. I would have to cross every country off my travel list if I used that reasoning.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I guess what I'm saying is that yeah, that sort of thing is scary, but those are crazy people. Not organized terrorists with targets. I understand cancelling plans because of the second, but you'd be a shut in if you worried about running into the crazy ones.

You are much more likely to encounter the crazies than organized terror groups with targets. If you were to consider canceling, you would be better served to consider the former than the latter.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I know PP have asked me questions, but I am refraining from answering, least this thread, which is a very interesting discussion gets too political and gets shut down

 

[FigmentSpark]

I agree with you about pick-picketers. Rick Steven just posted on FB about being pick pocketed in Italy, I believe. This is a man who has spent his life traveling and advising others so, yes it can happen to anyone.

I also add that some of us have some bad habits in the US. We have traveled extensively through out Europe and parts of Asia and US stores are still one of the only places I've see women leave their purses in the child seat of the shopping cart!

I've also seen a very devastated woman in a grocery store here hoping someone saw the people who reached into her purse sitting in her cart and took her wallet, which included all her vacation cash just as she turned her head to select some vegetables. It happens so fast.

 

[OKW Lover]

Our cruise is PIF and I am not cancelling, but I am a little bit apprehensive travelling to Spain after Googling last night. Me bad, I know. There are some warnings posted. I realize most are for tourist areas with beaches etc but it makes me sad that we have to even think about things like that.

Please don't let that fear stop you from exploring the world. Bad things happen everywhere. Including right in your home nation. Go out and enjoy the new experiences.

 

[Westcoastwild]

It's a good time for us Americans to travel. I'm going to Canada this year and London next. If the dollar stays strong and the pound continues to drop it will be a lot more affordable then the last time I was in London. I can't imagine anyone not visiting a country because you have different political beliefs then the leader. I would have to cross every country off my travel list if I used that reasoning.

Yep! I am enjoying the exchange rates.

And I agree with the political leader thing too. I wouldn't even cross state lines in the US if that was an issue...

 

[Carey_B]

I live in the UK and we've had various incidents in the past couple of weeks.. you can't let it stop you from doing the things you want to do.

 

[mrcacou]

With 91 mass shootings in the USA since January 1st, I think Europe looks pretty safe.

 

[kaseyC]

I've also seen a very devastated woman in a grocery store here hoping someone saw the people who reached into her purse sitting in her cart and took her wallet, which included all her vacation cash just as she turned her head to select some vegetables. It happens so fast.

Very fast. On a recent trip to Barcelona we saw a almost hysterical woman at a restaurant after she discovered her wallet stolen from her purse. A purse that she had casually hung on the back of her chair while eating. Those are the kinds of common sense things that you just can't do while in a place known for pick pockets and other petty crime.

 

[Dug720]

Very fast. On a recent trip to Barcelona we saw a almost hysterical woman at a restaurant after she discovered her wallet stolen from her purse. A purse that she had casually hung on the back of her chair while eating. Those are the kinds of common sense things that you just can't do while in a place known for pick pockets and other petty crime.

Yep. I always keep my bag on me in restaurants. And I NEVER put it in the grocery cart even at home. That is just stupid IMHO.

 

[cruiser21]

With 91 mass shootings in the USA since January 1st, I think Europe looks pretty safe.

Let's no forget the ten of thousands of christians being slaughtered around the globe each year. That one hardly gets s mention in mainstream media, but yes I agree theirs a lot too be concerned about in world.

 

[tcufrog]

We were originally going to go to England this summer but we changed our mind not because of the terrorist attacks but because my dh is Indian and there's been after Brexit a lot of open anti immigrant sentiment in England. I was worried about the safety of my dh and kids who don't look white like I do.

 

[mmouse37]

I am going to Europe twice this summer. I did not hear anything about Barcelona....I will have to look that incident up and read about it.

I am going on a river cruise through Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and Germany next month. In August we are going to Lisbon for a wedding and then on to Barcelona. I knew about the pick pockets and am planning accordingly with my purse and ID.

I am not afraid to go but if I am honest all these terror attacks do make me pause and think about things more.

Edited to add that my first trip is with Adventures By Disney and even though it is with Disney I know anything can happen anywhere.

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

Our cruise is PIF and I am not cancelling, but I am a little bit apprehensive travelling to Spain after Googling last night. Me bad, I know. There are some warnings posted. I realize most are for tourist areas with beaches etc but it makes me sad that we have to even think about things like that.

Ok, what happened in Spain last night? I can't find anything.

MJ

 

[bbel]

We were originally going to go to England this summer but we changed our mind not because of the terrorist attacks but because my dh is Indian and there's been after Brexit a lot of open anti immigrant sentiment in England. I was worried about the safety of my dh and kids who don't look white like I do.

Don't let the media dictate your life.
I would say this was much more of a problem pre-Brexit. Post Brexit, no one really cares.
Don't know where you were planning on going in England, but the major cities are some of the most multi-cultural places in the world. If you were walking down the street, doing your own thing, in the nicest possible way, I doubt anyone would even take a second look at your family. In the areas around me, it's the 'white people' that's stand out.

Not trying to tell you your wrong, start an argument or anything. Do what makes you happy. Just speaking from experience of someone who lives (most of the time) here and who's good friends come from Pakistan, India and Poland...

 

[tcufrog]

Thanks for letting me know. I used to not even think about since our area is very diverse but now I worry.