CRUISE LINE Additional Security Screenings ??

[JDee]

I am aware of and have read the other post on additional security screenings at airports.

My question is regarding additional security screening for cruise lines.

While flipping through some TV channnels tonight, I just caught a few lines of a story on one the local news channels about some additional security screening for cruise line passengers that is supposed to take effect in six months. Tried to do so search engines, but didn't really find anything definative and gave that up. Anybody heard or know anything about such contemplated security screenings?? Thanks.....

Happy cruising......

[SeaCruiser_1]

Hi JDee

When I opened the original thread on increased security my remark about having to go through a pat down before boarding was in reference to boarding the ship. With a defibrillator/pacemaker I cannot go through metal detectors anywhere. Even this past July when I cruised I was just passed through with my proper documentation. The point I was making was that there is increased security in place now!

The other passengers went through screenings similar to airports. I will also add that passengers are screened again when boarding after a port of call. All of these screenings are done in a professional manner. I have no objection at all!

[tomc]

There is an article in our local newspaper today. Has to do with checking us against lists of known terrorists, or something like that. It's done after the ship sails. Given the atrocities we've seen in the past (that real old senator or congressman with the metal body-part insert being spread eagled in the airport), don't be surprised if you find Great Aunt Tillie tossed out of her wheelchair, face down on the floor, guards surrounding her with attack guns, because her grandnephew married someone from Iran.

[JDee]

SeaCruiser: Yes, I did note your post was in reference to the cruise boarding. However, believe all the other posts kept refering to the airport screenings.

Something new seems to be going on even on disembarkation, as I noted on the RCI boards that RCI is now advising pax to arrive a little later to board due to a slow down in disembarkation procudures. This seems to cause a lot of jams with new pax arriving before the ship disembarks the old. May even mess things up at the garage waiting for parking spots.

Happy cruising....

[tomc]

"...Cruise passengers already are checked against the lists within 15 minutes of a ship's departure. Once President Bush signs the bill into law, it will require passengers and crews to be checked before the ship sets sail. [snip] Critics of the lists content they provide greater opportunity for innocent people to be mistakenly branded. The lists are wrapped in secrecy. The government doesn't disclose criteria for placing people on them, how many names are listed or any of the identities."

This may be what the OP had heard.

[JDee]

Tom C. Thanks. Found a similar article in this morning's paper. I was thinking along the lines that possibly the cruise industry would be required to do a comprehensive baggage exam similar to those required of the airlines. That procedure would preclude giving your bags to the pier personnel for direct transfer to the ship. Would have to go through some type X-ray behind the scenes....

Happy cruising....

[sail7seas]

It is my understanding that all HAL baggage is x-rayed now.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Dec. 11, 2004, 12:07AM

Watch list checks to grow
Screening will cover cruise ship, airport workers

By LESLIE MILLER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Anyone who works at an airport or aboard a cruise ship will have his identity checked against government watch lists, just like commercial airline passengers.

The change, included in the intelligence bill passed by Congress this week, means hundreds of thousands of additional names will be compared with those on two lists — one for people suspected of terrorism, the other for people the government says require additional scrutiny for some other reason.

Cruise passengers, but not crews, already are checked against the lists within 15 minutes of a ship's departure. Once President Bush signs the bill into law, it will require passengers and crews to be checked before the ship sets sail. The procedures must start within six months after the bill becomes law.

Supporters say the changes add another layer of security for the traveling public, but critics of the lists contend they provide greater opportunity for innocent people to be mistakenly branded.

The lists are wrapped in secrecy. The government doesn't disclose criteria for placing people on them, how many names are listed or any of the identities.

In a number of well-publicized incidents, people with names similar to others on the lists were stopped from boarding planes. One that happened to is Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

"To expand the use of something that's already so error-prone is shocking," said Marcia Hofmann, attorney for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington-based advocacy group.

There's no formal procedure for people to correct misinformation that caused their names to be added to the lists. The intelligence bill orders the Homeland Security Department to establish procedures for names to be removed as well as added.

The bill also requires the newly created Director of National Intelligence to set standards for placing people on the list and to report those criteria to Congress.

Tim Edgar, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer, is skeptical.

"The government is more effective and efficient at getting people on the watch list than off it," he said.

Sen. Bill Nelson, who sponsored the cruise ship provision, said as many as 5,000 passengers and 1,500 crew members travel on each ship.

"What you have is a floating city of thousands of people," said Nelson, D-Fla. "You cannot be too cautious."

Michael Crye, president of the International Council of Cruise Lines, said the change could delay ship departures if it isn't handled well.

"We have no objection to ensuring that the government has a chance to properly vet individual's names, but we hope that is not done in a redundant manner," he said.

The bill also orders airport workers to be checked against the terrorist watch list before they are allowed unescorted beyond security checkpoints or on the tarmac. That includes at least tens of thousands of restaurant workers, concession clerks, cleaners, caterers and delivery people.