Gunmen rob tourists on Amazon riverboat cruise

Avalon posted this on facebook:

Early this morning, an Avalon cruise, traveling along the Amazon River, was robbed. Most importantly, all guests and staff onboard are safe and are being escorted back to Iquitos by the Coast Guard. This afternoon, we are planning to fly our guests to Lima where hotel accommodations will be provided for them. Representatives from the ship – as well as counselors – will be with guests for the remainder of their stay. Flight arrangements are being made and we will be providing travelers compensation to cover costs of their journeys home.

The safety of our passengers is always our top priority. Avalon Waterways has implemented extra security measures for this and future Amazon cruises. If you are a travel agent or an immediate family member of travelers affected by this incident, please contact Avalon Waterways at 866.397.6593 or traveleradvisory@globusfamily.com

Okay, so I read the BBC thing just a few minutes ago, but here I now know which boat it is, the one that's operated by Avalon.

This is one of the boats we're considering for a 4-5 day trip next February from Iquitos. I'm sure Avalon will treat its pax very well, but I wonder how the smaller operators would handle it. Many of the boats are much smaller than the Amazon Discovery, and more even luxurious.

I'm reconsidering the whole thing right now. Anyone else in this situation?

Certainly makes you rethink cruises in that area of the world.

When trying to search for more information, I came across 2 other back-to-back robberies in 2009. So, I guess it's not too unusual. I think people in the area are desperate and desperate people do desperate things. :(

Sure love the way Avalon is handling it though! :)

The last robbery, prior to this one, was in 2010.

Certainly makes you rethink cruises in that area of the world.

Yes, it does. There are two ways to think about it: either the boats in the area will take on extra security to prevent a recurrence, and therefore it's safe; or local bandits will think, "oh, that was easy, let's do it again!"

I have to think about this a bit, since we were close to booking, not sure at all now.

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2016/07/articles/fires-1/fire-bandits-plague-amazon-river-cruises-in-peru/ this article gives more details of serious incidents.

robbery is 1 thing but not the only danger it seems.

Yes, it does. There are two ways to think about it: either the boats in the area will take on extra security to prevent a recurrence, and therefore it's safe; or local bandits will think, "oh, that was easy, let's do it again!"

 

I have to think about this a bit, since we were close to booking, not sure at all now.

I have two thoughts on this:

1. Avalon is one of the more high end companies...could be that makes them more of a target since river pirates could figure they would have wealthier passengers on board which means more valuable stuff to steal. and

2. More armed guards could just result in better armed pirates..

I'm usually not the least bit hesitant to travel to Europe and would not cancel a European trip because of the recent terrorist attacks, which while terrible are basically random...but pirates boarding a ship in order to rob passengers in the middle of the night is really scary....that's a specifically targeted prey. You have to wonder if the pirates had someone on board that helped bring this about.

I think the Amazon is off my bucket list! I don't like bugs anyway ;)

I think the Amazon is off my bucket list! I don't like bugs anyway ;)

Should you decide to go someday (and I hope you can), we had absolutely no problems with bugs on a trip up the Amazon to Manaus (we were on a 600 passenger ship not a river boat). We just used a product with DEET and neither of us got a single bite the entire trip including the day we went into the jungle and the night we were out on a tributary in a canoe watching our guides jump off and capture young alligators for us to look at and pet.

I have two thoughts on this:

 

1. Avalon is one of the more high end companies...could be that makes them more of a target since river pirates could figure they would have wealthier passengers on board which means more valuable stuff to steal. and

 

2. More armed guards could just result in better armed pirates..

 

I'm usually not the least bit hesitant to travel to Europe and would not cancel a European trip because of the recent terrorist attacks, which while terrible are basically random...but pirates boarding a ship in order to rob passengers in the middle of the night is really scary....that's a specifically targeted prey. You have to wonder if the pirates had someone on board that helped bring this about.

Yeah, well there are a number of high-end boats in the Peruvian Amazon. Avalon just leases one of them, I believe. The parent company also owns two ultra-luxury boats, the Delfin and Delfin II (more luxurious than the Discovery). There are about 10 high end ones. And out in the middle of the river, they are pretty well like fish in a barrel, at least that's the way I visualize it.

As for Europe, I'm with you. We're off to Rome in September. Fingers crosssed.

We did this trip last fall with Vantage who had chartered the boat through Haimark. Never thought about a security issue. It will be interesting to see how the companies respond to this. The Irrawaddy cruises also just pull up to a riverbank and anchor. With all the cameras, various electronics, phones on board I am surprised that the pirates' bounty was not estimated higher than $20,000. Very scary for those onboard I am sure.

I remember a couple of years ago when a group of tourists were on a horseback excursion in Mexico and were ambushed and robbed.

And then there is Nice........

I think the Amazon is off my bucket list! I don't like bugs anyway ;)

Go to the Brazilian section, rather less of an expedition, but still very much the Amazon and lots to see there.

The bugs are not a big deal most of the time.

Go to the Brazilian section...

If I wanted to avoid crime, Brazil would be just about the last place I would go. I have been to 130 countries and IMO Brazil was the worst for crime. And yes, Brazil has had river boat robberies.

I wouldn't disagree on the level of crime in Brazil, but I also wouldn't give a second thought to cruising the Amazon up to Manaus as the ships are much larger than the expedition ships you tend to find in Peru etc.

If the choice is no Amazon or Brazil Amazon I'd take Brazil, I just wouldn't do it on a very small ship.

We did this trip last fall with Vantage who had chartered the boat through Haimark. Never thought about a security issue. It will be interesting to see how the companies respond to this. The Irrawaddy cruises also just pull up to a riverbank and anchor. With all the cameras, various electronics, phones on board I am surprised that the pirates' bounty was not estimated higher than $20,000. Very scary for those onboard I am sure.

 

I remember a couple of years ago when a group of tourists were on a horseback excursion in Mexico and were ambushed and robbed.

 

And then there is Nice........

That thought occurred to me too and it's one of the reasons I never wear my real engagement/wedding rings when we travel and I never bring my lap top...only my kindle and phone, which have nothing but travel agenda and games on it. We also carry as little cash as possible, just enough for tips, taxis, ice-cream.

That is a good point Hydrokitty, this is of course a horrible event to have happened to anyone and clearly in a different league to the street crime you see in pretty much every large city around the world, but there are some things to consider that we might all benefit from.

Don't take family heirlooms, items of high sentimental value etc. on vacation with you. There are so many opportunities to lose them ranging from accidental to criminal so why take the chance?

Similarly with jewelry, watches etc. that are just simply high value, why take the chance when you are traveling across the world to unfamiliar places, trust me, nobody on the cruise is going to judge you for not wearing your Rolex or failing to have sufficient diamond for the Captains dinner :)

Similarly expensive computers, phones etc. You may want a phone with you, but if traveling as a couple, do you both need your phone with you?

We get so used to these things that we often forget just how much they are worth...

Most phones can be set to wipe their data if someone gets the password wrong 10 times for example, look for that function and use it.

And here's a statement I just got from Delfin, via my TA:

Delfin Amazon Cruises Press Statement – Thursday, July 14th 2016

We regret to confirm that on Thursday, July 14, 2016, in the early hours, there was a

robbery onboard the Amazon Discovery. The vessel’s captain and the cruise director have

confirmed that all guests are safe and none were physically harmed during the incident.

The safety of guests aboard the ship is of utmost importance to Delfin Amazon Cruises,

which owns and operates Amazon Discovery. This isolated incident – the first in the

company’s ten years of cruising the Amazon – is not reflective of the Amazon region today,

which continues to be an increasingly desirable destination for visitors.

Staff onboard the Amazon Discovery and at its Lima headquarters have further advanced

measures to ensure the safety of its current and future passengers. The company is

implementing a Peruvian river cruising protection strategy that includes the presence of

permanent surveillance staff onboard. The vessel will also be accompanied by further

security in a green speedboat marked “Policia de Turismo.”

The Amazon Discovery and its staff have enlisted the support of local and national

government authorities. PROMPERÚ, the tourism and exports promotion board of Peru, is

working with Delfin Amazon Cruises to ensure the security measures described previously

will be implemented effective immediately.

Furthermore, Peruvian police have opened an investigation of the incident to identify and

apprehend responsible parties.

Passenger documents with sensitive information (such as passports) were in the possession

of the cruise director and have been safely returned to their owners.

Guests of the Amazon Discovery have returned safely to the embarkation port at Iquitos

and will fly to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. Arrangements have been made

with local tour operator partners for guests to continue their travels within Peru or to return

home.

For further inquiries, please contact Delfin Amazon Cruises’ media relations team via e-mail

at delfinamazoncruises@aboutdci.com.

And here's a statement I just got from Delfin, via my TA:

 

Delfin Amazon Cruises Press Statement – Thursday, July 14th 2016

 

We regret to confirm that on Thursday, July 14, 2016, in the early hours, there was a

robbery onboard the Amazon Discovery. The vessel’s captain and the cruise director have

confirmed that all guests are safe and none were physically harmed during the incident.

 

The safety of guests aboard the ship is of utmost importance to Delfin Amazon Cruises,

which owns and operates Amazon Discovery. This isolated incident – the first in the

company’s ten years of cruising the Amazon – is not reflective of the Amazon region today,

which continues to be an increasingly desirable destination for visitors.

 

Staff onboard the Amazon Discovery and at its Lima headquarters have further advanced

measures to ensure the safety of its current and future passengers. The company is

implementing a Peruvian river cruising protection strategy that includes the presence of

permanent surveillance staff onboard. The vessel will also be accompanied by further

security in a green speedboat marked “Policia de Turismo.”

 

The Amazon Discovery and its staff have enlisted the support of local and national

government authorities. PROMPERÚ, the tourism and exports promotion board of Peru, is

working with Delfin Amazon Cruises to ensure the security measures described previously

will be implemented effective immediately.

 

Furthermore, Peruvian police have opened an investigation of the incident to identify and

apprehend responsible parties.

 

Passenger documents with sensitive information (such as passports) were in the possession

of the cruise director and have been safely returned to their owners.

 

Guests of the Amazon Discovery have returned safely to the embarkation port at Iquitos

and will fly to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. Arrangements have been made

with local tour operator partners for guests to continue their travels within Peru or to return

home.

 

For further inquiries, please contact Delfin Amazon Cruises’ media relations team via e-mail

at delfinamazoncruises@aboutdci.com.

I am very impressed with the way Avalon and Delfin are handling this...no excuses, no meetings just step up and do what needs to be done.

It's also good to know that security measures will be in place immediately.

When we were on Lake Nasser we had armed guards on board because of the risk of pirates...and the boats always traveled in pairs so you were never out of view of another vessel.

I wouldn't disagree on the level of crime in Brazil, but I also wouldn't give a second thought to cruising the Amazon up to Manaus as the ships are much larger than the expedition ships you tend to find in Peru etc.

If the choice is no Amazon or Brazil Amazon I'd take Brazil, I just wouldn't do it on a very small ship.

Thom

I agree that taking an ocean ship up to Manaus would be about as safe as you can be (and I have been considering such a cruise).

We did it about 4 years ago, it was an excellent trip.

Still managed to get plenty of adventure in despite the size of our ship.

Our canoe almost sank while we were out in the pitch black night looking for caiman (just as we found them).

Also took an unplanned shortcut through the jungle on a different boat trip just before being told it was far too dangerous to cut through the jungle :)

A different experience from the Peruvian end of things but well worth doing.

Viking Oceans has new itinerary for the Amazon in Brazil...looks like a great trip!

Whose ship were you on?

Viking Oceans has new itinerary for the Amazon in Brazil...looks like a great trip!

 

Whose ship were you on?

We were on a Fred Olsen ship (Norwegian cruise line, markets mainly to the UK) Cruised from Barbados on a very similar itinerary to the Viking cruise you mentioned.

Main difference was starting and ending in Barbados and we had an extra stop at a fishing village where the local children showed us around and we visited a few homes.

I wouldn't disagree on the level of crime in Brazil, but I also wouldn't give a second thought to cruising the Amazon up to Manaus as the ships are much larger than the expedition ships you tend to find in Peru etc.

 

If the choice is no Amazon or Brazil Amazon I'd take Brazil, I just wouldn't do it on a very small ship.

For us, that's the whole point of doing the Peruvian Amazon on a small expedition-style ship. No interest particularly in cruising up to Manaus.

We did this trip last fall with Vantage who had chartered the boat through Haimark. Never thought about a security issue. It will be interesting to see how the companies respond to this. The Irrawaddy cruises also just pull up to a riverbank and anchor.

...

I'd be interested to hear about your Haimark trip--was this on the Discovery? We had been actively planning to book one of these trips, and Discovery was on the running, but I had reservations about it. Much cheaper than the other "luxury" boats, but the itinerary doesn't go up into the park really, so I wondered if it would be as good as the others. Of course now we're re-thinking the whole thing, but as my husband likes to say, this boat may be safest one around for the next while.