Post Cruise Security Screenings

[Muushka]

Phoenix Dream, you get no argument from me for playing devil's advocate, and your points are well-taken. In fact, had I not been present for this ordeal I may have reached similar conclusions. Fact is, I work in a legal environment where detail is paramount, not for dramatic effect, but to convey accurately what happened and when. My words were chosen accordingly. We were not delayed, we were detained. We were not casually escorted from the ship to customs, but ordered to follow a Celebrity security officer of considerable physical girth as he careened through a crowd of waiting passengers rather than walking around them. Therein lies the rub. The demeanor of all concerned reflected a sense of urgency, not an event that occurs with boring reliability. Our account reflects the context of the moment, as accurately as we can deliver it.

 

It's funny. I read what Phoenix Dream wrote and also saw some valid points. I then attempted to re-write what you (OP) had originally written in language that was more just facts rather than the manner in which you wrote it.

I found that that my report (I am not quite as blessed with the written word as you :)) conveyed the same message yours did. It was not quite as exciting to read, but it said the same thing.

Scary as you know what.:eek:

[phoenix_dream]

Phoenix Dream, you get no argument from me for playing devil's advocate, and your points are well-taken. In fact, had I not been present for this ordeal I may have reached similar conclusions. Fact is, I work in a legal environment where detail is paramount, not for dramatic effect, but to convey accurately what happened and when. My words were chosen accordingly. We were not delayed, we were detained. We were not casually escorted from the ship to customs, but ordered to follow a Celebrity security officer of considerable physical girth as he careened through a crowd of waiting passengers rather than walking around them. Therein lies the rub. The demeanor of all concerned reflected a sense of urgency, not an event that occurs with boring reliability. Our account reflects the context of the moment, as accurately as we can deliver it.

Your considered, intelligent response to my comments leads me to believe you did not, in fact, overdramatize what was obviously a difficult situation. Maybe I just wanted to believe you did:)

[Muushka]

Your considered, intelligent response to my comments leads me to believe you did not, in fact, overdramatize what was obviously a difficult situation. Maybe I just wanted to believe you did:)

 

Ah. If every disagreement could end with such grace.:)

[valleyguyva]

Phoenix dream, I appreciate your comments and note you are sailing aboard Solstice soon. I have every confidence you will have a wonderful cruise. Solstice is undoubtedly the most well-conceived and thoughtfully-executed ship in our cruising experience. Her staff and crew were unfailingly attentive and no reasonable request went unfulfilled. While the incident at disembarkation was unfortunate and uncharacteristically crude for Celebrity, we could not in good conscience allow it to reflect negatively on the seven days that preceded it. We will continue to work for enhancements to the security protocols that contributed to our experience, and use that experience to inform and educate where appropriate. It was important to us that our Cruise Critic family, in particular, be a part of that process.

[LeftcoastBC]

A very interesting occurrence.

 

I see the need for the Cruise line to have some sort of excuse made up and ready when the alarm goes off because of a "Random Search" of luggage at disembarkation or any other reason actually.

 

But perhaps "Homeland" is testing the cruise line also.?? So maybe not.

 

Getting to your luggage or where ever you are going as quick as possible is a good thing. In a real situation, ( and which the cruise line likely has/had no idea that this was not) your muscle guy did his job. Once there the US authorities did their job too. Did this have anything to do with too much jewelry scenario or the possibility of that ? Maybe. Maybe something in a drug line ??( Not implying anything about the OP just another possible reason for the test) If it was then there is no need to keep you in the dark at all.

 

That all being said... if it was a test of a "Threat Issue" following in the wake of some guy from a ship to meet the cause of the concern doesn't seem very appropriate either except as an excuse to get you to the appropriate spot to be dealt with by "Appropriate" enforcers.

 

Solution. Because as you say using that "Valet" service anything could have been put in our bags: eliminate the service. But as we all stick our bags outside the night before disembarkation) then the next thing to happen will be, we all have to roll off everything personally...and you know where that will lead. You will have to take it on as well. :cool:

 

at least all here are now informed of the possibility of such an issue.

 

thks

[valleyguyva]

LeftcoastBC, I appreciate your comments. In the past, we have made purchases of jewelry or art onboard that dictated a meeting with customs officials for declaratory purposes prior to disembarkation. Absent any large purchases on this cruise, we were further mystified as to why we were being detained.

 

As you suggest, we were assured the cruise line would have a standard, prepared response and the initial reply from guest relations impressed us as having been composed by committee. A second contact by telephone echoed the original response, but sought to emphasize that we were not harmed, did not miss our flight, enjoyed a lovely cruise, and in the grand scheme of things a thirty-minute delay in the interest of national security was not such an inconvenience. The dismissive tone rendered moot a continuation of the conversation, and we simply agreed to disagree.

[Muushka]

LeftcoastBC, I appreciate your comments. In the past, we have made purchases of jewelry or art onboard that dictated a meeting with customs officials for declaratory purposes prior to disembarkation. Absent any large purchases on this cruise, we were further mystified as to why we were being detained.

 

As you suggest, we were assured the cruise line would have a standard, prepared response and the initial reply from guest relations impressed us as having been composed by committee. A second contact by telephone echoed the original response, but sought to emphasize that we were not harmed, did not miss our flight, enjoyed a lovely cruise, and in the grand scheme of things a thirty-minute delay in the interest of national security was not such an inconvenience. The dismissive tone rendered moot a continuation of the conversation, and we simply agreed to disagree.

 

:eek: