Hal..how can you still go to mazatlan?

[WINEMANVISALIA]

JUST READ THIS ON NCL BOARD...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/image.php?u=198426&dateline=1198246549 (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/member.php?u=198426) Preds (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/member.php?u=198426) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/statusicon/user_online.gif
Cool Cruiser



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We just got off the Star and were IN the shooting gallery that was the Golden Zone. We were meeting our driver at the Hotel Las Floras (where the shootout occurred) and were next door and about to turn the corner into the hotel parking area when the first shots went off and we ducked for cover with all the locals.

Never again will I step foot in Mazatlan. I'm still ticked at NCL for taking us to an unstable port and then not responding in any way to our concerns about Mazatlan both pre-cruise and on the cruise itself.

We immediately reported being in the shooting zone and hiding in the shops next door with a security guard whose gun was drawn to Hotel Director Jean Michel and I asked for a written statement from both him and NCL regarding the incident which literally scared the hell out of us. We received nothing more than a generic letter stating thank you for your comments.

It was a scary situation, and the 5 kids with us aging from 9-17 were quite shaken, as were we. NCL REALLY dropped the ball on this one.

[mbodamer]

Although I cannot comment on this specific incident, I just got off the Zaandam and we went to Mazatlan and many other mexican ports without incident. The police presence was extremely high and almost seemed military controlled at some times. They drove around in convoys with machine guns at the ready.

Although I do not wish to downplay any of the violence occurring in mexico, I do think people tend to see the stuff on CNN and assume it is the exact same everywhere in mexico. Would it be fair for people from other countries to see shootings in NYC, LA, or Miami and assume the entire US is not safe?

Safety and security was always the top concern for HAL and as with ANY trip to any destination use common sense. Now a shootout happening in front of you at a tourist shopping center, of course there is nothing you can do about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Again I am not trying to trivialize the violence, but hope that most will see there is violence and crime and shooting everywhere, doesn't mean we should lock ourselves in our homes and never travel.

I always felt safe in all the mexican ports and never once did I feel threatened by the any situation. But with all of that said, I think mexico does need to do something about the escalating violence nationwide. A few more incidents and their tourism will be shut down which is a shame.

On the flip side, I wonder why people complain that the cruise lines go to mexican ports when they book a mexican cruise? Book an Alaskan or Hawaiian cruise if you are affraid of mexico.... just my two cents.

[RAYSAN11]

I booked a HAL April cruise which goes to Mazatalan. I chose this cruise for the ports of call and I would very much like to go to Mazatalan.

[GatorV]

[quote=mbodamer;28113280]Although I cannot comment on this specific incident, I just got off the Zaandam and we went to Mazatlan and many other mexican ports without incident. The police presence was extremely high and almost seemed military controlled at some times. They drove around in convoys with machine guns at the ready.

As stated above in the last two lines... if i saw this in an American city or anywhere else in the world I would be back on the ship without delay...I would also hope i had done enough research to be fully informed of the problems in an area...walking into a situation is often an accident....again back to the ship but it does happen everywhere.

St Thomas last year with the young tourist girl caught in cross fire on a jittney as an example. but i still go to ST. Thomas if on the cruise route.

Not going to Lybia right now thoughhttp://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[IRL_Joanie]

.......On the flip side, I wonder why people complain that the cruise lines go to mexican ports when they book a mexican cruise? Book an Alaskan or Hawaiian cruise if you are affraid of mexico.... just my two cents.

HALeDAMluja!!!!

I am scared of what COULD happen to us in Mexico..... BUT, I booked this cruise KNOWING something CAN happen, but also with the hopes that nothing will!!

I cannot understand the Quote from the OP of the NCL Passenger who apparently feels that NCL owes them something for taking them to a port that they knew they were going to.... Come on people, get real. Life happens and it could have happened in our home towns, and does all the time. I do not expect anyone to compensate me for my choosing to cruise to a place I know could be dangerous.

I plan on staying safe as possible by only going to a shop or 2 at the port itself. It is not fear itself keeping me from visiting what I understand is a beautiful area, but the wish for total and complete relaxation with nothing to do:)

Joanie

[Okie1946]

To everyone who complains about what is going on in Mexico. You have that right, BUT also remember that many of us have looked at those same complaints and realize that things like this happen right in our own back yards.

I looked at all of the cruises that were available at this time and this is the cruise that Ichoose to take. Please folks, how about taking some of the responsibility upon yourself. Your cruise line did not twist your arm to choose the trip you took. You are the ones who chose to take it.

Accept some of the responsibility yourself and please stop complaining.

AND LEAVE MY CRUISE ALONE. IT'S MY CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RAYSAN11]

To everyone who complains about what is going on in Mexico. You have that right, BUT also remember that many of us have looked at those same complaints and realize that things like this happen right in our own back yards.

I looked at all of the cruises that were available at this time and this is the cruise that Ichoose to take. Please folks, how about taking some of the responsibility upon yourself. Your cruise line did not twist your arm to choose the trip you took. You are the ones who chose to take it.

Accept some of the responsibility yourself and please stop complaining.

AND LEAVE MY CRUISE ALONE. IT'S MY CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you I wish I was eloquent enough to put my feelings into words like you

[SwissMyst]

I believe the cruise line has responsibility for getting you to a port and caring for you while on their own company's shore excursions. Anything outside of that is a personal choice each passenger makes.

A passenger can choose to go ashore or not or can choose to go under the cruise line's protection or not. But a cruise line passenger cannot hold the cruise line responsible for their own personal choices once they leave the ship.

No one is happy with what is happening in Mexico and I am happy to hear the military is making a strong presence here just as much for the local population which deserves security as much, if not more, than the occasional cruise passenger.

"Recreational" illegal drug use in the US fuels much of this drug lord violence in Mexico. There are no "harmless" illegal drugs when this sort of consequence is part of the illegal drug distribution chain.

[durangoscots]

.... and you can't tell where things will happen. In 1984 I had a group of students in London and we nearly got caught in the cross-fire at the Libyan embassy.... a trip those students never forgot. You have to research, read, make your decisions about going and then keep your fingers crossed no matter where.

Susan

[Arwen]

I do indeed feel sorry for the traumatic experience of the OP and his/her children while in Mazatlan. I do not feel though that it is the responsibility of the Cruise Line in that it happened. However, that being said, I think a little empathy and comfort offered by a HAL Guest Relations person or other, immediately after that VERY scary incident would have been the proper and caring thing to do and better PR. Personally, I would expect just that much.

Yes, danger is everywhere and accidents happen.

However, some of us do choose to be more calculating about our travels. I love Mexico's weather, beauty, birds, and color, but hubby and I have chosen to stay away for now after having taken three past cruises there.

We felt safe on the Yucatan Peninsula a few months back and on previous cruises, Loreto and La Paz. Three years ago, I chose to stay on the ship rather than get off in Mazatlan, because I had already had enough of it. I do not see the charm of Mazatlan and I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[SwissMyst]

I was robbed in Antigua while on our own and only a few blocks from the ship and in sight of other passengers. HAL helped me a lot to access my banking/credit card info once back on the ship and sent a plate of chocolates and their good wishes. I thought they offered splendid care under the circumstances, since we were on our own when this happened. And because of their concerns and offers to help, this unfortunate experience did not ruin our trip.

[lorekauf]

To everyone who complains about what is going on in Mexico. You have that right, BUT also remember that many of us have looked at those same complaints and realize that things like this happen right in our own back yards.

I looked at all of the cruises that were available at this time and this is the cruise that Ichoose to take. Please folks, how about taking some of the responsibility upon yourself. Your cruise line did not twist your arm to choose the trip you took. You are the ones who chose to take it.

Accept some of the responsibility yourself and please stop complaining.

AND LEAVE MY CRUISE ALONE. IT'S MY CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm So with you on this. I just love how people refuse to take responsibility for their actions. Maybe an OBC or half of their cruise fare refunded would make them feel better:rolleyes:. Maybe people should stay home where they will sure to be safe.

[serendipity1499]

[quote=Arwen;28114811]I do indeed feel sorry for the traumatic experience of the OP and his/her children while in Mazatlan. I do not feel though that it is the responsibility of the Cruise Line in that it happened. However, that being said, I think a little empathy and comfort offered by a HAL Guest Relations person or other, immediately after that VERY scary incident would have been the proper and caring thing to do and better PR. Personally, I would expect just that much.

SNIP
quote]

Where did you get the idea that the OP was in Mexico? And
Why are you blaming HAL for not having empathy?.

It looks to me like she is quoting a post from the NCL board & wondering why HAL is still going to Mazatlan...This never occurred to a psgr. on HAL...

I agree with you all, this could happen in our own backyards & it is our responsibility to decide if we want to leave the ship in those ports or not...

[solocanadian]

[quote=Arwen;28114811]I do indeed feel sorry for the traumatic experience of the OP and his/her children while in Mazatlan. I do not feel though that it is the responsibility of the Cruise Line in that it happened. However, that being said, I think a little empathy and comfort offered by a HAL Guest Relations person or other, immediately after that VERY scary incident would have been the proper and caring thing to do and better PR. Personally, I would expect just that much.

SNIP
quote]

Where did you get the idea that the OP was in Mexico? And
Why are you blaming HAL for not having empathy?.

It looks to me like she is quoting a post from the NCL board & wondering why HAL is still going to Mazatlan...This never occurred to a psgr. on HAL...

I agree with you all, this could happen in our own backyards & it is our responsibility to decide if we want to leave the ship in those ports or not...
Betty: I'm with you on this one 100%. My own backyard is a cesspool right now. The Gangs are a real pain in the butt with their drug wars.::eek:

[Krazy Kruizers]

thanks for letting us know what was posted on the ncl board

it must have been very scary for those people