Topic: Armed Guards?

Well that would be just two ships to protect then. With Carnival breaking with years of tradition and re flagging all the Cunard ships then there would only be the Hebridean Princess and the Saga Ruby that still fly the red ensign, the other two Saga ships fly flags of convenience.

I know armed Security Guards are necessary nowadays but they don't contribute much to a happy, relaxed atmosphere do they ? I very much doubt that I would choose a cruise where they were necessary.
Anyway I understand policemen and soldiers are trained to shoot to kill - not to aim at legs. So if there were armed guards they should have weapons superior to those of the bandits - maybe hand grenades would solve the problem. But it seems hire powered water hose pipes could also be effective

I agree with spartan. Does that mean ships registered in Bermuda/Bahamas wherever? I have also heard of trouble in the Carribbean. It would not worry me if there were armed guards onboard in dangerous places.

In a bar in Djibouti last December chatting with the crew of a large USA cargo ship. "We have armed guards, extra to crew. Two shots allowed; the second one over the head."

you have the hose pipe and i will have an AK47 and a RPG i think i would have the upper hand.

QUOTE:

I know armed Security Guards are necessary nowadays but they don't contribute much to a happy, relaxed atmosphere do they ? I very much doubt that I would choose a cruise where they were necessary.
Anyway I understand policemen and soldiers are trained to shoot to kill - not to aim at legs. So if there were armed guards they should have weapons superior to those of the bandits - maybe hand grenades would solve the problem. But it seems hire powered water hose pipes could also be effective

QUOTE:

I really don't think it is a good idea to continue this thread it could give information away

I believe the pirates have a first class intellegence service and they wont learn much from us

QUOTE:

I believe that P&O's Azura is UK registered (I may be wrong) but apart from that one are there any other UK registered cruise ships?

cheers
Harvey

Azura no, Aurora is given as registered in Southampton in the 2010 Berlitz but was clearly showing 'Hamilton' in Quebec three weeks ago.

We were on the first sector of the World Cruise of the Artemis at the beginning of this year. We had a lieutenant-colonel onboard giving us talks about the threat of Somalian pirates. Drills were carried out and the promenade deck was closed whilst we were in the danger areas,plus curtains drawn in the cabins as well as many other preventative measures. Many people were very afraid and wished they had been informed of the danger before booking the cruise.
I personally would like to see armed personnel.
Sailing again in these waters next year, somewhat apprehensively, so hope further measures are taken.

the 2012 edition also has it registered in Great Britain. (which i actualy bought!)

QUOTE:

Azura no, Aurora is given as registered in Southampton in the 2010 Berlitz but was clearly showing 'Hamilton' in Quebec three weeks ago.

QUOTE:

We were on the first sector of the World Cruise of the Artemis at the beginning of this year. We had a lieutenant-colonel onboard giving us talks about the threat of Somalian pirates. Drills were carried out and the promenade deck was closed whilst we were in the danger areas,plus curtains drawn in the cabins as well as many other preventative measures. Many people were very afraid and wished they had been informed of the danger before booking the cruise.
I personally would like to see armed personnel.
Sailing again in these waters next year, somewhat apprehensively, so hope further measures are taken.

I take it they did not read the itinerary for the route the ship took on this world cruise and none of them watch the News channels or read a paper