WAR - Security

[Kajo]

Hi guys,

We are from Europe. We did the DCL several times.

We now have some nice quotes to do a cruise in march, but we don't know if it will be safe to do the cruise ( and to fly to the usa ), taking into account that a war with Iraq might start soon.

What is your opinion about this ? How do people in the usa think about this ? You think it is a risk ?

Thanks for your advice !!!!!



Kajo

 

[ennazus]

The political state of things right now would not stop me from planning a cruise..... except at the last possible moment.... and who knows, I might still go.

It was a couple months after 9/11 before I felt safe enough to fly again. We cancelled a Nov. trip, but did fly in January. Part of me thinks if it's your time... it's your time.

I would certainly plan a March cruise if I had the opportunity!!

 

[jfeasel]

As an American, I can honestly say that I would not postpone any upcoming trip due to war. I'm just not that worried about it. After 9/11, we kept our October trip to Disney and went exactly one month after those attacks. Security was very tight at the parks as your bags were checked at every entrance. There were also armed military personel at the airport, something I had only ever seen in Italy.

I would say go and have a great time.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I still believe that my life is in more danger when I drive to work than it is flying or cruising.

 

[Michelle]

Hi Kajo! Security at the port and on the ship increased substantially after 9/11. America has been in wars in recent years and it does not affect cruise travel, at least in the areas where DCL sails.

I would definitely go ahead with your cruise plans and have a great time.

 

[rae519]

If we let THEM (terrorists or whomever) control our actions, then THEY win.

I agree with manchurianbrownbear and ennazus's comments 100%.

As an American veteran, I say - "Plan that trip and enjoy yourself!" (I'm going on May 3 with my DS (7) and Mom (74) - regardless!)

Rae

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

I was flying the first day planes were allowed to fly again after 9/11 - no worries.

Coming from Europe, you are subject to even more security than airports here in the US have - you will have to go thru security twice - once to get into the general gate area (which has always been the case), and then again to get into the terminal that has planes headed for the US (at least that's how it was when I flew thru Frankfurt last May).

It's always been my impression (which may be wrong of course, since it's an impression) that European airports pay much more attention to security in general - seems like the threat of terrorism is much more present in some areas of Europe and hence the enhanced security.

As far as the ship itself goes; DCL screens all passengers boarding the ship - even at ports of call, security is very tight and they require all packages to go thru x-ray (and no deliveries to the ship are allowed).

Plus, to me a cruise ship just doesn't seem like much of a target - granted, it's big, slow moving and carries lots of people, but it's just not in the same catagory as the WTC or the Pentagon as far as symbolism goes (in fact, it's at the complete opposite end of the spectrum). besides which, in the incredibly unlikely event something did happen, unlike the Titanic, there are enough life boats for everyone.

 

[wdwnut76]

I've read that additional security measures have been put in place -- for example, they've increased the distance that other ships need to keep between their ships and a cruise ship. Also, (according to my reading) the US Coast Guard now escorts cruise ships out of port.

I feel comfortable enough with the security to be taking the Wonder on May 11th. And I live in a suburb of NYC, so increased security is something I've very conscious of. In fact, I get more nervous when I have to go into Manhattan than I am about this cruise!

wdwnut76

 

[CruellaDuVille]

I cruised DCL in July. I was impressed with all of the extra security. They even had a rubber Zodiac boat that took out scuba divers in every port. You could see their wet suits on the foreside of the promanade deck. I was told they were swimming underwater, guarding the perifery of the ship.

Some of the tours were done away with, like the bridge tour.

Personally, with all of the security I feel safer traveling now than I did pre 9-11 (and I taken at least 10 trips since then).

 

[Viking]

We flew to the States for WDW and a Disney-Cruise on 09/15/01 on one of the first planes after the restart of traffic. The Security Checks in Frankfurt were extremely tough, but when we switched planes in Philadelphia there were virtually no checks. But on our flight back (4weeks later) in Orlando as well as in Pittsburg the even had National Guards checking the passengers. But again not very thoroughly. We weren't checked at all.

But Disney did a great job - sometimes too great a job: On Castaway Cay we needed about an hour to get back on the ship because of the security checks - As if we could have bought weapons on the island

And we booked again in January 2001 for October 2003. we found so many new friends on that cruise that we will meet again this year.

And as stated by other posters before: I don't let any ragheads take control over my life!!!