What do you think about surveillance cameras onboard ships?

[melissa@cruisecritic]

The F.B.I. and Bermuda authorities boarded NCL’s Norwegian Dawn in King's Wharf this week to investigate why Mindy Jordan, a 46-year-old New Jersey woman, went overboard shortly after leaving New York. Part of the process? Reviewing video footage from surveillance cameras monitoring hallways and the exterior of the ship. (Click here for our news coverage.)

Stay tuned to Cruise Critic for a news story about the industry's use of this type of security measure (where cameras are placed, who gets to see the footage and why). In the meantime, what is your opinion on the use of surveillance cameras onboard cruise ships? Vote in the poll above -- and be sure to post your comments!

[Blue46]

I really don't have a problem with it, as long as my room is camera free. With all the recent problems (people falling/jumping off ship, fight, fires, etc) I see this as a way to really know what is going on. It protects not only the cruise line, but travelers as well.

[JediSkipdogg]

I think cameras would be great. They help to provide an aspect to those that aren't there for how a crime occurred. As long as they stay out of the known private areas (cabins, restrooms, etc) then nobody should have any logical reason to complain.

[Spikesgirl]

Security cameras are there for our protection, IMO and I have no problems with them in the public areas and corridors of the ships. I don't feel that it's a violation of my privacy as long as the cabin is camera free.

[kat89447]

I love them! I have worked in casinos, bars and mfg. plants and have yet to do anything but embrace them. They save your butt as well as others. People act different knowing they are there and they take the he said/she said out of issues. As long as they are not inside the staterooms or restrooms and certain spa areas I have no problem. On a side note, I bet the BF of the poor woman on the Dawn is pretty grateful about the cameras. Could have been a longer journey to sort out the truth if they didn't have some footage.

[paul929207]

Seems to me that if you are in a public place, you have no right to privacy.

[cs]

Outside of the cabins, it's great. It makes me feel a little better knowing that there's security around even when I can't see it.

[cloakndagger]

P&O Australia have had them on all their ships for some time now. It only enhances the safety of the passengers. It is not intrusive, and most times you don't even know they are there.

[CRUZIN TOM]

I talked to a security officer on one of NCL's newest ships. He stated that there were over 2000 cameras aboard the ship(not mentioned for security reasons.) Now that's pretty good security. I think it is well needed for those that don't kfollow the right way to cruise onboard a ship.

[irishlizz]

Surveillance cameras not an issue with me as long as not inside my cabin. Always kind of figured the cruise ships had them anyways, and considering the boneheaded actions of some passengers, definately a must. Lucky for the guy with the balcony climbing girlfriend that NCL did have surveillance cameras, otherwise I'm sure he'd be subjected to some heavy duty grilling by authorities, etc.

[spirit rev]

DH and I discussed this over dinner tonight. I was wondering if he had noticed an increase in the number of security cameras between our Dec. 2005 cruise on the NCL Wind and our Jan 2008 cruise on the NCL Gem. I saw a lot more cameras on the Gem than I had on the Wind, or even the Spirit in 2007. He seemed generally unaware of the number of cameras in the public areas.

NCL does seem to do a good job at keeping the cameras as annonymous as possible. I really don't mind them in the public areas of the ship.

[Cuizer2]

I have no problem with cameras in public places, including outside the cabins (both the entry door and the balcony) and outside public restrooms. Nobody as a "right" to privacy in a public place.

In this case the cameras helped to establish what happened and when. It was especially helpful as the boy friend was being raked over the coals when the allegation of abuse was made. Several posters (and the woman's mother) alleged the boy friend threw the woman overboard. The cameras established that he was not in the same room as the woman who fell at the time she fell.

[TravlGrl]

I am TOTALLY ok with it as long as it's not invasive. To me, invasive would be in my cabin. So, if cameras aren't in my cabin, I'm totally ok with that as I do believe it's for my and everyone else's safety.

[bluefintuna]

I have only been aware of the cameras in the casinos, but I will look a little closer in all areas on our next cruise. Bet they've seen some sights on those tapes. We need a crew member to do a tell all!

[JamesEM]

I'll all for enhanced security, may protect the cruise lines from wrongly being sued, and will assist law enforcement in solving crimes.

[cruizinwithkids]

I know someone who worked on the Majesty and loved it. He then went to work on the Dawn and absolutely hated it because of all the cameras. He felt the cameras were there to watch crew. He went back to the Majesty. He is now on another newer NCL ship so must have come to terms with the cameras.

[e150club]

Pictures don't lie. Ever watch Cop's.

[beachchick]

Many cities use cameras to monitor public places. They are helpful for both law enforcement and the public. I don't mind (and would welcome) cameras in pretty much any public space on the ships. Not in the cabins; not in the public restrooms (not even the sink area, although a camera in the passageway by the door into the restroom itself should be a must); not in the spa areas where pax are likely to be naked, such as massage rooms or saunas; not on the cabin balconies (that is still part of my private space; they're advertised as private and need to be treated that way). I think that there should not be cameras in any place where someone is liable to feel vulnerable/embarrassed or where it's an invasion of intimacy. We should not surrender our right to feel secure in places where we normally expect privacy. Other than that, why not have cameras? They have proven particularly helpful in this most recent incident. (I was among those urging that we wait for actual facts before trying, convicting, and hanging the boyfriend. Others decided that because the mother accused him, he must be guilty of killing his girlfriend.) Definitely a plus to have cameras that monitor the ship's exterior (as long as they are not directed into the balconies themselves).

beachchick

p.s. to e150club: Pictures don't lie, but people do, and people can make pictures lie. With the easy to use photo/video manipulation software available today, I rarely trust someone else's photos. However, I think it's safe to assume that cruise lines aren't likely to selectively edit or change security footage.

[psupa]

I believe there should be security cameras in public areas of the ship (promenades, life boats, corridors, pool deck, etc.) for the safety of all passengers. There have been way too many incidents with people falling overboard and it would deter other incidents such as fighting. Some people may think it's an invasion of privacy, but it's for the safety of all, as long as they don't use them in cabins and restrooms.

[RoxyD0823]

I am very grateful that we have cameras onboard for a number of reasons. Safety being one of them. Of course there aer hidden cameras throughout the ship, and I see it as a very necessary thing, this day and age when there's crime all over the place, regardless of where you are. Also, in a situation when there is a missing passenger, it becomes very helpful for the family to go ahead and find out exactly what happened and not remain with false hope of their family member coming back, when something unfortunate has happened.