Topic: How safe are cruise passengers?

With the latest killing of a cruise passenger caused by rival gangs firing at each other in a popular part of St Thomas, should we be more hesitant about cruising in the Caribbean? Should cruise lines abandon some islands where trouble is rife? Or are we just being paranoid about something unlikely to effect us? After all hundreds of thousands of cruising passengers visit these islands every year and it can only be a very small percentage of passengers affected.

So what are we aware of, what events have happened? In Jamaica we have heard of continual muggings, some parts described as no go areas and being on your guard there is a must. Antigua, two recent deaths, I believe, causing huge concern along with cases of mugging. Nassau, in the Bahamas, a taxi tour held up at gunpoint and the occupants robbed, of all valuables, also a ship’s excursion on segways were robbed and even more were held up and robbed in broad daylight. Trinidad and Tobago are two islands on which crime is rife.

Yes it is true that crime is rife throughout the world, The Mediterranean, The Far East, London, Paris and St. Petersburg all have crime against tourists, should we worry or just be careful wherever we are keep cruising? . ….Neil

I think its very worrying, and such a shame that you can't visit these beautiful countries without fear of being robbed or attacked. Unfortunately it seems to be the way its going now, so i guess if you want to see these places you just have to be as careful as you can be and try to enjoy yourself..........................Carol

I ,think you just have to be sensible don't go sightseeing decked out in desinger stuff and jewellery, with two or three camera's hanging around your neck. Either go with organised tours ,if not stick to the recommended tourist places,don't wander off the beaten track .CG

I have been going out to the Caribbean for more than 20 years and have never felt threatened.

Like anywhere today you just have to be aware of what is happening around you and not wander off the beaten track.

What happened in St Thomas could have happened in any of the UK's major cities, who can predict if we will be in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was very sad that innocent people were caught up in this but it certainly wouldn't put me off visiting these beautiful Islands.

I think its one of those things that if you follow the guidelines given by the cruise line , no reason why you should not be OK. The occurrence like the one reported are very few and far between, and can happen anywhere. We were in Israel early this year, walking the streets of Jerusalem, lots of Soldiers around, was a concern to some, but then I am one of those people, who tend not to worry, over something I can do very little about.

QUOTE:

With the latest killing of a cruise passenger caused by rival gangs firing at each other in a popular part of St Thomas, should we be more hesitant about cruising in the Caribbean? Should cruise lines abandon some islands where trouble is rife? Or are we just being paranoid about something unlikely to effect us? After all hundreds of thousands of cruising passengers visit these islands every year and it can only be a very small percentage of passengers affected.

So what are we aware of, what events have happened? In Jamaica we have heard of continual muggings, some parts described as no go areas and being on your guard there is a must. Antigua, two recent deaths, I believe, causing huge concern along with cases of mugging. Nassau, in the Bahamas, a taxi tour held up at gunpoint and the occupants robbed, of all valuables, also a ship’s excursion on segways were robbed and even more were held up and robbed in broad daylight. Trinidad and Tobago are two islands on which crime is rife.

Yes it is true that crime is rife throughout the world, The Mediterranean, The Far East, London, Paris and St. Petersburg all have crime against tourists, should we worry or just be careful wherever we are keep cruising? . ….Neil

These sort of things have always gone on it just depends on what news is reported at the time.

Like any city or country you visit just keep to the main streets

I agree with Neil's last paragraph and just take more care. We have dropped Jamaica; Trinidad & Tobago from our schedule, so if we do this no doubt others maybe are doing the same, but it will impact on their tourist trade. Although they are expensive we still prefer the ship's excursions normally in a large air conditioned bus, still believing in safety in numbers, but now having been fairly often to some islands we just do a bit of shopping, so we run a possible higher risk on these occasions. All the islands on our list I have to say we have never seen any problems, but go down the Hilltown in Dundee on a Saturday night, well a different story.

As others have said, I think in this day and age we have to be careful wherever we go. I was born and lived my early years in London. In my youth, having been out dancing, I would stand at a bus stop alone at The Elephant and Castle in S.E.London at midnight waiting for the bus, then have a 15 minute walk to get home. It never entered my head that I would be at risk.
These days, I would not recommend it as times have changed out of all recognition.

Likewise with some of the ports abroad I should imagine. We have been advised to take a ships's excursion when we stop in Trinidad en route to Brazil next year.
I wonder if it was a safe place 50 years ago?

I've been pickpocketted twice, in Liverpool and Spain. I was assaulted once- not too badly- in the USA. I live in an area which has one of the lowest crime rates in the UK, and a madman shot people to death outside my door. It's life- it may or may not happen. It will never stop me travelling, but may make me more cautious.
Jo.

Caution is the correct word to use. I'm only 44 (that sounds old), I'm 6'1" and on the thin side (stop laughing). We have visited many of the caribean islands and enjoyed most of them freely doing our own thing, shopping, remember that whilst you are on holiday, not all those around you are, remember that you may be peceived as being relatively wealthy by the very nature that you have just exited a luxury cruise ship and therefore keep your guard up and whits about you.

Incidences and very few and far between.

Vinny