ABC News Article

[Annefran]

Interesting ABC article about danagers of cruising.

 

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/story?id=2990674&page=1

[SForman]

Thanks for posting the link.

[Cruising89143]

You can tell that the Anna Nicole Smith crap is over with. The news agencies are now digging for any kind of news. :rolleyes: When does it become the passengers responsibility to watch the amount that they drink? The last part of the article makes the most sense as it states to pack your "common sense". Isn't that what we should all do in everyday life?

[pickleo]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

[BillfromWV]

That was a very interesting article. The advise that is given should be used in everyday life whether on vacation on a cruise, another country or in the States. The advise also in applicable from the big cities where folks live to the smallest of towns. Everyday life requires common sense and personal responsibility.

Bill

[vator90]

Most of the article made sense and there are a lot of points most of us already imploy. Two things stand out, one of them is carrying a cell phone and help is only a few buttons away. Who are ya gonna call in the middle of the ocean to come to your aid in a few short minutes? Besides one or two ships the phones dont work anyway. Second, never leave children unattended, so I guess some parents who let em run wild all night should rethink their position on curfew. IMHO

[Annefran]

That was a very interesting article. The advise that is given should be used in everyday life whether on vacation on a cruise, another country or in the States. The advise also in applicable from the big cities where folks live to the smallest of towns. Everyday life requires common sense and personal responsibility.

Bill

I totally agree Bill, mostly common sense we need to all do. Happy Cruising!

[traveling1969]

This quote from their "security expert" seems chosen specifically for it's sensationalism

 

 

 

 

Because it's hard to prosecute a crime that happens in international waters, Lipcon believes sexual predators and other dangerous people flock to cruises.

 

"It's a great place to murder somebody and nothing will happen," he said. "Nobody investigates."

 

And that line about sexual predators and dangerous people, while not a quote, is certainly irresponsible and an example of using someone's biased opinion for shock value only. It makes you wonder when he was fired from his job with cruiseline security.

 

It's a good idea to be vigilant no matter where you are but once again, the media drop the ball regarding balanced reporting.

[julieanne]

Most of the article made sense and there are a lot of points most of us already imploy. Two things stand out, one of them is carrying a cell phone and help is only a few buttons away. Who are ya gonna call in the middle of the ocean to come to your aid in a few short minutes? Besides one or two ships the phones dont work anyway. Second, never leave children unattended, so I guess some parents who let em run wild all night should rethink their position on curfew. IMHO

Agree with that. In fact, this article was just so stupid I wrote them an e-mail. I love how they're quoting "Michael Menckmyer" about the dangers of cruising. The man imbibes mass quantities of alcohol with some "medication" he was taking and then throws himself off the ship in front of his 16 year old godson and we're supposed to consider the "dangers" of cruising? I do not think I would place myself in the same category as that bozo or the couple that chose to perform trapeze acts on the balcony railing! Of course, they haven't stated whether alcohol was significant in the latest debacle, but I am sure it played a part!;)

[newbeestl]

This year, more than 12 million people will book trips on cruise ships

 

According to the International Council of Cruise Lines, there were 178 complaints of sexual assault, four robberies and 24 missing persons aboard cruises between 2003 and 2005.

 

Wow, 206 incidents in 3 years. Call it 10 million cruisers a year, that's 206 incidents out of 30 million cruisers. We should ALL be VERY scared. :rolleyes:

 

The media is a joke and I feel sorry for anyone that pays any attention to them.

[wakelover]

I really dont see why they single out cruising. My mum had her bag stolen by the hotel pool in Tenerife....and she was sitting on the lounger when it happened!!! :eek: These people are clever...you only need to close your eyes for a nap and your bag's gone!

 

As for criminals going on board to committ a crime - darned expensive way of doing it! More like opportunism if you ask me....leave your possessions vulnerable and someone will think its their lucky day.

 

I have always felt that people stick together on a cruise! I am sure that most people look out for others and if they saw something untoward would report it.

 

We followed a chap off a ship once and I noticed his wife's purse was sticking way out of her handbag. I tapped him on the shoulder and pointed it out to him. He told her off severely for being so stupid and thanked me for my concern. I hope others would do the same for me:D

 

All in all I think it comes down to common sense and being aware of who is around you. Judging your own vulnerability too....I would never go out on deck in the wee hours without my hubby...just in case!

 

Happy safe cruising everyone....:)

[Pomperaugrr]

Maybe the disappearances are the cruise lines tossing folks overboard for wearing shorts to the dining room on formal night, after drinking smuggled booze and smoking on their own balcony. ;)

[sandy toes]

The ratio land assults vs cruise assults is really way tipped for cruise lines being a safe vacation bet. That is a story ABC won't run.

[Pomperaugrr]

I manage a criminal courthouse, that serves a population of about 400,000 people. We average well over 450 to 500 new criminal cases every month, plus another 1,500 motor vehicle offenses (ok, MV cases are not really applicable to cruise ships ;)) This is a fairly affluent area in my state, yet no one is immune to becoming a victim in a crime. The statistics shown regarding cruise related crimes looks good to me. Keep your wits about you and don't take unnecessary chances, whether on a cruise or at home. I will reserve comment on media hype.

 

Eric

[glgolfer]

Nice of them to let an attorney try to solicit business in the article.

[Arizona Laura]

For ABC news not a well written article.

Nothing none of us here did not know.

Ditto to everyone..common sense important anywhere.

You know there are going to be drunk people on a ship just like you know there are drunk people in bars. Sometimes drunk people do stupid things.

MM definately blaming med for his actions..I see lawsuit in my crystal ball.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[cruisnfool]

Thanks for posting the article...always good to be reminded of the common sense issues and there are newbies on this board as well.

 

Unfortunatly the people that need to read this kind of article wouldn't.

 

The only answer is to invoke penalties for any action performed under the influence of alcohol or drugs that alters the normal flow of a cruise ship or endangers anyone.

 

ZERO tolerance!

[kingsgirl]

"Apparently, the alcohol took over with the medication I was on."

Anyone who mixes alcohol with drugs has the chance to run into problems. On a cruise ship or anywhere else! :eek:

[TXSailor]

Thanks for posting the article.

 

As for nothing happening when a crime is committed while at sea, that is completely false.

 

I was on a Carnival cruise a couple of years ago and I was physically assaulted by another passenger at 2:00am. I went to security to report this and they took it very seriously. They put 2 security guards outside the assailant's cabin until the next morning. The night of the incident, security had me fill out a form and explain in writing what had occurred. They contacted Corp. offices in Miami. The next morning, security told me that Corp. had been notified and that they wanted to know from me whether I wanted to press charges. I asked security what would happen to the assailant if I decided to press charges. They told me that the assailant and everyone in their reservation would be escorted off the ship in Cozumel(next port), and that the Mexican Federal Police would then arrest the assailant at the pier and take them into custody. Being a native of the South Texas/Mexican border, I have heard my fair share of nightmares of being in a Mexican jail. I thought about it and decided not to press any charges against the assailant. A Mexican jail was too much punishment, IMHO, for the crime committed. I wasn't injured in the crime and definately not traumatized, just a little surprised that a total stranger did this to me. I feel that the fear of being thrown in a Mexican jail really made the assailant sober up. The assailant later approached me,apologized and thanked me for not pressing charges. No hard feelings and the rest of the cruise was nice.

 

Lesson learned: If someone intoxicated approaches you in a bar and begins to talk about politricks, RUN!!!

 

Fausto

[Happy ks]

The best part of the article was the advise for parents to always watch their children. That would be absolutley lovely :)

[Merion_Mom]

I agree with traveling1969.

 

"They don't understand the dangers," he said. "They mistakenly believe they're in a totally safe environment and nothing could be further from the truth. It's quite dangerous for themselves and for their children."

Stupid, without basis remark. "quite dangerous"? Idiot.

 

Because it's hard to prosecute a crime that happens in international waters, Lipcon believes sexual predators and other dangerous people flock to cruises.

This has to be the MOST inane and insipid remark of all. "flock to cruises"??? Give me a break!

 

"It's a great place to murder somebody and nothing will happen," he said. "Nobody investigates."

I'll keep this in mind in case I ever want to murder an obnoxious plaintiffs' lawyer. :rolleyes:

[SherriZ366]

Wow, 206 incidents in 3 years. Call it 10 million cruisers a year, that's 206 incidents out of 30 million cruisers. We should ALL be VERY scared. :rolleyes:

 

The media is a joke and I feel sorry for anyone that pays any attention to them.

.002% incident rate