RHAPSODY review 10/24-10/31 see message

[bh2359]

I tried several times to post a very long review of this cruise for you. Each time, even when cutting it up into parts, I was told it was still too long. I gave up!

 

I have since posted the entire very long detailed review of this cruise in the cruise review section and they say it will be available in a day or two. If you want to read my review, kindly check there a day or two after this post appears. Thanks.

[springtxbill]

How long was it? Can you give a "Reader's Digest" version here?

[Sophie]

How long was it? Can you give a "Reader's Digest" version here?

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[bh2359]

Hi again.

 

I just checked and the review has not been posted in the reviews section as yet. On here, you are limited to 10,000 characters, my review was about 30,000 which is why it wouldn't fit.

 

Anyway, I just remembered an incident on the Rhapsody that wasn't in my review so I'll share it here.

 

We had talked another couple into cruising with us on the Rhapsody and they loved it and are saving for their next cruise. One afternoon, the four of us went into the card room and began playing Texas hold-em for quarters.

 

We had been playing for about 30 minutes and John and I had been winning the most when a security guard walked in and said we had to stop playing or risk arrest! He said we could play in the casino at their tables but we could not gamble anywhere else on the ship. He also said that we were in international waters and the ship's law was the law. We smiled and stopped playing.

 

Just thought you'd be interested in what happened. I don't think the card room was one of the security guard's regular stops so I firmly believe that someone else in that room had notified him.

 

Anyway, if you want to gamble on your own, do it in your cabin.

[thefish]

I may be wrong but I thought that the laws on a ship were defined by maritime and international laws and perhaps affected by the laws of the country providing port. I was not aware that individuals could make laws outside these guidelines.

 

I know that there are "rules" that can be made on a ship and enforced by revoking a persons passage if necessary and putting them off the ship but not by arresting them. I know that some States have regulations such as a ship must visit a foreign port before returning if gambling is allowed but if the ship's casino is operating then the regulations should have already been met.

 

I find it strange that the security person would call public gambling on a ship outside of gambling sponsored by the cruise lines against ship law and enforceable by arrest.

 

Is there anyone that is familiar with maritime law that can shed some light on this?

 

Is public gambling on a ship in international waters breaking some standard law for which you can be arrested?

 

If it is not, can someone on the ship make "ship laws" at will that could cause a guest to be arrested and confined?

 

 

 

Thanks - no big thing, just curious

[springtxbill]

A ship can make any laws it wishes and enforce them in international waters.:)

[Marlena777]

I can't wait to see the review!

[thefish]

A ship can make any laws it wishes and enforce them in international waters.:)

 

Thanks for your answer, even though it's a little disturbing. I am not an expert or even a little knowledgeable about this and would like to become more familiar with this practice. Can I find this in the Maritime Laws, Admiralty Laws, International Laws or UN Law of the Seas or some other documentation or ruling?

 

Thanks