Wondering your thoughts...

[divinggirl]

In Baltimore today they are running a terror drill simulating a hijacking of a cruise ship in the harbor. I know stuff can happen anywhere, but excluding heightened baggage screening, etc., are there any new policies onboard that you've noticed post 9-11 to prevent terror incidents?

I think it would be a logistical nightmare to hijack an entire cruise ship with the passenger #'s of today's ships, but the Achille Lauro proves it can be done...

[spcl4cs_gal]

Ok now since you are on the same cruise I am this month, let's hope that this doesn't happen in real life. :(

[CDRMark]

All cruise lines have increased the numbers of security personnel onboard, both overt and undercover. The biggest deterrent to a sea-jacking is the change in passenger attitude. Passengers now would ensure that there was not enough left of a would-be hijacker to do a DNA analysis.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Since 9/11, luggage is x-rayed in the terminal - not just the carry-ons - but everything.

When you get back onto the ship in any port, all packages, purses, etc., are put through the x-ray machine. Passengers walk through a metal detector.

Passengers must show a picture ID - passport or driver's license.

Probably a couple of more things that I don't remember right now.

:)

[divinggirl]

That's a great point...I guess one of the things that is more likely and that they must be on the lookout for is someone sneaking on the ship to get into a particular country...is immigration much more stringent than it once was? My last cruise was 13 years ago when I was 13, so I dont remember much about it...

[grannynurse]

On our 2 transatlantic trips we have had frogmen in the water at several ports. We noticed them in Stavanger Norway this summer, but there was also a drug bust on board.

In American ports, several times, we have had the Coast Guard escort us out of the harbor. On one occasion they circled the ship continuously warning off small boats in the vicinity. We have noticed CG activity in many foreign ports too. It is very noticeable in Newfounland canada.

The HAL crew, this summer, was more lax than they had been previously. Especially in Amsterdam and Dublin.

Personally, I'm glad to see the Coast Guard, but it's strange to have the dogs walking through the ship. We had many dignitaries on board in small ports that were first-time ports for HAL, and some pax had special permission (much red tape involved) but they were able to get visitors on board in Hamburg and Amsterdam.

I don't know if permission comes through the Captain or Seattle, but there is even a form available for the request.
GN

[localady]

Additionally at the Ports there is heightened security.
I remember being in Juneau and seeing a series of signs that talked about MARSEC (?) levels at the Pier. This is something new to me and I believe also post 9/11.

I agree it is chilling to see these scenarios enacted, but I suppose the best offense for us is preparedness.

[jhannah]

Might that be MARitime SECurity? I'm sure they are at heightened levels, too. I have noticed post-9/11 more Coast Guard presence as well. Also, flashing blue lights on the pier while the ship is entering harbor. (Couldn't tell if they were local law enforcement or federal.)

[elmorejj]

I have seen divers around the ships on several occasions in FLL. I`m glad for any extra security, and I am one pax who will not complain at extra long lines due to security.....jean

[stillfrantic]

Oh please let me have the job as undercover security on a cruise ship......sailing week to week, trying to blend in. Oh darn, must sit on deck and watch the pool users for suspicious behavior. Something might down in the Odyssey so better look into there also. Those air marshalls just have to act like passengers on airplanes, sitting in cramped seats and eating dehydrated sandwiches available for purchase. Give me the marshall job on a cruise ship.:D

[Roboat]

One thing that has bothered me on my past cruises on Celebrity and HAL: The night before debarking, we were told to have all our bags in the hall by midnight.

When we went ashore the next morning, we retrieved our bags from color-coded rows. We proceeded to customs and were aked, "Has your luggage been in your possession since you packed it?" I said no, and explained the procedure, which I'm sure they knew and had heard a thousand times. The customs agent said, "I'm going to ask you again, and if you say No, then I'm going to stop this line while we go through each of your bags. Now, has your luggage been in your possession since you packed it?" So I said Yes.

So if a bad-guy came aboard in Cozumel with a bag of nasty stuff, or drugs, in a black roll-on like everyone has, it would be easy to switch with my bag after midnight. It would also be easy for any passenger to insert contraband into my bag. So i end up carrying it through customs for them, or I get "caught" with contraband.

From now on I'm using my pink, shag American Tourister and sealing it with mauve duct tape.

[Lovebirds]

In the days of the Achille Lauro, a small group could seize control and could easily cut off all communications. With cell phones near shore and satellite phones that work anywhere and are independent of the ship's systems, it should be much more difficult. Some passenger will find a way to get the word out. Also the old attitude of cooperate with them and everone will be OK no longer applies. Everyone now knows that we are dealing with animals and we will fight back.

I know that the security on our Mediterranean cruise in 2002 was much better than on cruises in the '90s. Spain was more lax than the other countries we visited. Hmmmm, wasn't it Spain that got hit by terrorists recently? Wonder if they are tightening their port security?

[obriendan]

A metal barrier was placed in the water about 30 feet outboard from the QM2 when she was docked in FT. Lauderdale before our cruise in March.

[spcl4cs_gal]

One thing that has bothered me on my past cruises on Celebrity and HAL: The night before debarking, we were told to have all our bags in the hall by midnight.

When we went ashore the next morning, we retrieved our bags from color-coded rows. We proceeded to customs and were aked, "Has your luggage been in your possession since you packed it?" I said no, and explained the procedure, which I'm sure they knew and had heard a thousand times. The customs agent said, "I'm going to ask you again, and if you say No, then I'm going to stop this line while we go through each of your bags. Now, has your luggage been in your possession since you packed it?" So I said Yes.

So if a bad-guy came aboard in Cozumel with a bag of nasty stuff, or drugs, in a black roll-on like everyone has, it would be easy to switch with my bag after midnight. It would also be easy for any passenger to insert contraband into my bag. So i end up carrying it through customs for them, or I get "caught" with contraband.

From now on I'm using my pink, shag American Tourister and sealing it with mauve duct tape.


My TA told me to put a lock on my suitcase prior to putting it into the hallway on that last day. She has been on cruises where someone HAS put illegal things into suitcases after they have been placed in the hall and the only way the passenger has found this out is when the officials tell them that the sniffer dogs have zeroed in on their bag during an inspection. And how do you explain your way out of that one???

[divinggirl]

You can also use zip ties to lock your bag through your zippers, and they are easily removed and replaced by TSA...use various colors (pink, purple instead of black or white) so you can tell if it's been replaced, by any chance. But I can't imagine anyone who would try to sneak something in take the time to cut open a zip tie.

[CruisinMatt]

I don't feel like I'm any safer after 9/11 on my cruises. In March, we both walked though the metal detector and it when off each time and they just told us to go......

Watching the ship being loaded with tons of food and beverages, that whole process didn't seem that secure either.

This was at Port Everglades in FLL

I think if terrorists wanted to blow up a ship, they wouldn't have much of a challenge. :(