Would You Take A Cruise in Pirate Attack Areas ??

[cruisead]

I want very much to take a cruise that would go into the areas where there has been pirate activity. My husband says absolutely not, but I think it would be OK. But now that he read an Oceania ship was almost attacked by pirates this past weekend, DH is even more opposed.

Would you consider taking a cruise in that area?

[cb at sea]

Right now, I'd avoid that area like the plague! Why take chances? Those "pirates" are basically terrorists....
What a coup it would be for a pirate ship to overtake a cruise ship!
Why in the world would you want to take that chance? There are so many other beautiful and relatively safer places to go.
Going on a cruise to that area would be akin to vacationing in Iran or Afganistan right now.

[Cruisenouvelle]

No. No port of call or shipboard ambiance is worth the risk- or maybe I'm not that daring.

[Arwenmark]

No I would not, I still remember the Achilli Lauro and what they did to Leon Klinghoffer. and as someone in a wheelchair it hit's home even more, though I am not Jewish and I believe he was.
I am always concerned in the back of my mind about this issue whenever I cruise anywhere.

[sail7seas]

No. I would not sail anywhere near the Gulf of Aden....no where in the vicinity.

[navybankerteacher]

Originally Posted by cruisead

I want very much to take a cruise that would go into the areas where there has been pirate activity. My husband says absolutely not, but I think it would be OK. But now that he read an Oceania ship was almost attacked by pirates this past weekend, DH is even more opposed.

Would you consider taking a cruise in that area?

When you are at sea in an area "where there has been pirate activity", the seascape is going to look very much like any other bit of ocean -- unless, of course you are "fortunate" enough to get the thrill of coming under fire. If that is what you really want - I pity your husband. of course, if you do not get the pirate attack, you will have to satisfy yourself with a port of call like Mogadishu -- lots of luck.

[cruiserbryce]

Uh...no

[eh2zed]

I would consider it if the cruise line could assure me they were paying for an escort like the Prinsendam had.

[dforeigner]

The problem is that people are focused on media sensationalism rather than the actual facts. How many on this thread are aware of current pirate attacks in the Caribbean?

Here is a map showing areas of attacks throughout the world.





This link will take you to a map showing the actual pirate attacks reported in 2008.

http://www.icc-ccs.org/index.php?opt...lbQ8jr4qlxK1J3

[cruisead]

Originally Posted by navybankerteacher

When you are at sea in an area "where there has been pirate activity", the seascape is going to look very much like any other bit of ocean -- unless, of course you are "fortunate" enough to get the thrill of coming under fire. If that is what you really want - I pity your husband. of course, if you do not get the pirate attack, you will have to satisfy yourself with a port of call like Mogadishu -- lots of luck.

That is a very nasty comment and completely uncalled for. My desire to cruise in that area has absolutely nothing to do with looking at the sea or wanting to be shot. The ports of call on that particular cruise is what is interesting. Seeing Egypt, Petra in Jordan, Dubai, going through the Suez Canal and ending in Rome are places that many people want to see, as evidenced by the sheer numbers of cruise ships visiting those places. Only a silly person chooses a cruise to look at the seascape. Most go for the ports. FYI, a number of ships doing world cruises in 2009 are cruising in that area of the world.

[MDSue]

I hate to let the pirates win, but I'd be hesitant to travel in that area right now. On the other hand, so far they have not been successful yet with cruise ships which is reassuring.

[Host Michell]

Originally Posted by MDSue

I hate to let the pirates win, but I'd be hesitant to travel in that area right now. On the other hand, so far they have not been successful yet with cruise ships which is reassuring.

Really? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achille...1985_hijacking I doubt wheelchair-bound Leon Klinghoffer's family would feel reassured.

To answer the OP, nope -- I would not be booking a cruise in those areas right now, even knowing that alone isn't enough to "guarantee" safety. Prior to a week ago, Mumbai and India weren't on the "alert" lists, either. There's really no sure way to predict these things. But when we know certain areas are prone to attacks, I personally would avoid them.

[melana]

Nope...

[PhoenixCruiser]

Originally Posted by cruiserbryce

Uh...no

Uh...double NO WAY...

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[G'ma]

Originally Posted by dforeigner

The problem is that people are focused on media sensationalism rather than the actual facts. How many on this thread are aware of current pirate attacks in the Caribbean?

Here is a map showing areas of attacks throughout the world.





This link will take you to a map showing the actual pirate attacks reported in 2008.

http://www.icc-ccs.org/index.php?opt...lbQ8jr4qlxK1J3

How dare you bring reason and sanity to this discussion........

Now, I would avoid the whole sub-continent of India and Bangkok for a while......

[celle]

Originally Posted by cruisead

My desire to cruise in that area has absolutely nothing to do with looking at the sea or wanting to be shot. The ports of call on that particular cruise is what is interesting. Seeing Egypt, Petra in Jordan, Dubai, going through the Suez Canal and ending in Rome are places that many people want to see, as evidenced by the sheer numbers of cruise ships visiting those places. Only a silly person chooses a cruise to look at the seascape. Most go for the ports. FYI, a number of ships doing world cruises in 2009 are cruising in that area of the world.

We will be cruising through the Gulf of Aden next May, on a repositioning cruise from Singapore, through the Suez Canal to Rome.

At the moment, one of our ports of call is supposed to be Mumbai. We'll see what happens there in the interim - the repo cruise from the Mediterranean to Singapore has cut out Mumbai, and we feel confident that the cruise line will do the same for our cruise if Mumbai is still troubled.

As I see it, the chances of our particular cruise ship being taken by pirates are statistically pretty small, and our chance of being killed in a traffic accident in our home town are much greater.

[PhoenixCruiser]

Originally Posted by celle

We will be cruising through the Gulf of Aden next May, on a repositioning cruise from Singapore, through the Suez Canal to Rome.

At the moment, one of our ports of call is supposed to be Mumbai. We'll see what happens there in the interim - the repo cruise from the Mediterranean to Singapore has cut out Mumbai, and we feel confident that the cruise line will do the same for our cruise if Mumbai is still troubled.

As I see it, the chances of our particular cruise ship being taken by pirates are statistically pretty small, and our chance of being killed in a traffic accident in our home town are much greater.

Interesting thoughts celle....I guess we cannot comment until after your cruise.

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[Go-Bucks!]

Originally Posted by cruisead

Would you consider taking a cruise in that area?

No way! I take vacations to relax as well as visit other lands/cultures. Going into areas with known troubles certainly wouldn't be relaxing and there are plenty of other places to visit. I may never see some parts of the world, but oh well. Better safe then sorry.

[J&K08]

Only if I could be armed.

[ovccruiser]

It would appear from the maps dforeigner posted that many of us already cruise in suspecy areas The Gulf of Aden is cruised through by many of the world cruise ships, and QE2 recently passed through. I would have thought that would have made a prime target for the pirates, but she probably had a very good escort.