Cruise Talk: Security On Ships

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Topic: Security On Ships

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 06-13-2000 12:19 PM

I read an article on another BB that Celebrity/RCCL line is implementing a security system call A PASS that takes a digital photo of each passenger and encodes it with your boarding pass.This will be used when embarking and returning from ports. My question(s) are: are we overreacting about terrorist threats or is this added security a necessary "evil" so to speak. Also, I wonder how this might affect the timing in boarding. With some ships now carrying over 3000 passengers, this may cause a definite problem. I'm American and wonder if this is viewed differently in other countries. Any opinions or observations? Thanks:-)

regards,Bob(cn6)

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 06-13-2000 01:05 PM

Hi..Princess has had this system in operation for the past couple of years and it doen't slow things down any more than any other. The ship these days has to know who is actually on or off it at any time 24 hours a day. Just think what would happen if there was an emergency and they didn't know..just what the bottom-feeders love.
The London Times just called Athens one of the most dangerous cities in the world for terrorists and lots of cruise ships go there.
Being an American makes you a prime target around the world, so much so that others travelling with you can actually suffer from the increased security you require.
Be happy you've got the best security they can provide....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Skyhawk
First Class Passenger
Member # 427

posted 06-13-2000 01:12 PM

We just finished our trip on the Crown Princess. The picture taken was as easy as looking into the screen and didn't take a second. When returning to the ship it was as easy as showing a crewmember you boarding pass. You just insert your card in the slot and barely have to pause to do it. It uses bar codes A crewmember along the side is looking at a monitor to verify that your face goes with the picture, without interferring with your passage. It really is a good way to go.

Posts: 54 | From: San Angelo, TX USA | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-13-2000 01:54 PM

I think increased security is a sign of the times. This applies to all walks of life, not just ships.

It's not a new threat - I recall that the QE2 had a bomb scare, prehaps a decade ago?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Terry
First Class Passenger
Member # 448

posted 06-13-2000 02:07 PM

Talking of security perhaps some professional can tell me whether modern ships still carry firearms, particularly in areas like the Sulu Sea where pirates are still a threat?

Terry Donegan

Posts: 391 | From: Brandon, Norfolk, UK | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 06-13-2000 02:24 PM

The general answer is no, they do not carry firearms as it is considered that crews are not trained in their use nor are they sufficient in numbers to be effective. It would only escalate a bad situation...there is some evidence that some of the pirates are moonlighting Navy personnel who obviously have access to heavier stuff than any ship could legally carry.
The best thing that could happen is for the governments in that area to crack down on the pirates, especially the PRC where a lot of the ships end up.If the Phillipines and Indonesia in particular, actually paid their Navies it would help....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Caronia
First Class Passenger
Member # 1312

posted 06-13-2000 02:32 PM

A similar system has recently been installed on the Cunard/Seabourn ships and is certainly an improvement for crew and passengers.

All crew and passengers have a card with a bar code for scanning by the gangway crew, as already described, the computer screen comes up with the card holder's file, complete with photo.
This in a effective system to use, as the passengers are more responsive to a scan card, and the use of the computer, than the old simple boarding cards. They view it as much more important and crew members get a better response when asking for this new card, than when it was just a piece of paper, of which many passengers failed to see the relevance.

Posts: 31 | From: England | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 06-13-2000 06:57 PM

The Grand Princess had this system when we sailed on her two years ago. It took only a second to have your photo taken when you first embarked and you just swipe your car thru when you leave and when you return. Did not slow down the process of getting on or off the ship. The thing that slows done getting off the ship are when the photographers are standing at the gangway and try to stop everyone to have their picture taken!

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

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