"Security Guards" are now actively pushing people away from the piers. The only place left you can view the ships is from between the piers at top level or down below.

For example, we have not had a single trash can within the London Underground (Subway) train system, for years now. This is because the IRA used to use regularly them as part of their bombing campaign.

Regarding ports, the same situation is happening much of the world over. An amateur photographer at Southampton was told to put is camera away last year while photographing ships.

The funny thing is that if you pay the cruise line a few thousand dollars you are welcome aboard as a passenger. Now I do not believe for a moment that they do not carry out intelligence checks on every passenger. Terrorists have passports too!

All this is a sad reflection of the world we live in. The fear and paranoia that terrorism causes is so much more wide spread than the actual incidents warrant.

[ 03-07-2004: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

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Originally posted by gohaze:
This isn't just P&O, it's world wide tightening of PORT security. The Port of Vancouver is going the same way. There has to be security of cargo from origin to destination or costs of checking will sky-rocket.

.....peter

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I didn't say it was just P&O all over the world, but I do think it is bullsh*t!!!

[ 03-07-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

Malcolm, I know what you mean about the trash cans in the Metro! Try living in DC!!! There are so many security checks here that you have to be careful what you carry with you. I don't even carry a back pack anymore because I got tired of emptying it out everytime I went anywhere.

We not only don't have trash cans in our Metro system, but you are hard pressed to find a newspaper machine. And if you are looking for a mail box near the White House, forget it!

Recentley they erected a huge green chain-link fence across the entire area in front of the White House. Now the public can't even walk by it and the pedestrians have to go blocks out of thier way just to navigate around the damned thing!

Awe, for the days when the shipping lines used to "welcome" Joe Public onboard thier ships!

I'm just glad I am old enough to have been able to take advantage of those more trusting days.

In the olden days, bon voyage parties in the cabin, with logistics pre-arranged by the stewards, were a delightful part of sailings. From NYC to Bangkok, any time we sailed from a port at which friends were in the vicinity, we threw a bon voyage party.. It was a blast..not drunken, just a helluva good time before "all ashore that's going ashore" was sounded. I don't remember the French announcement on MM but it was equally delightful.
Who remembers the last time they heard that call?

My parents, sailing on APL to Japan in 1955 reported that at Honolulu there was an additional announcement on the PA. "All hands check for stowaways." True, Nevadaflip can probably verify.

Then there was the time we had to smuggle ice aboard in Bangkok for our Bon Voyage party on,yes, "Cambodge.". I told this story on Midships lounge, back when, but I will repeat it if requested.

[ 03-07-2004: Message edited by: Cambodge ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Matts:
...This contrasts sharply with nearby Manchester airport which has decided that some of the best security comes from enthusiasts who are adept at spotting unusual activity. Such is their belief in this idea that they have opened a wider visitors space and put notices out asking enthusiasts to phone a hotline with anything suspicious. I hope the scheme is successful because then maybe ports can be persuaded to do the same.

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Interesting concept. Do these enthusiasts have IDs issued by the airport authorities? If not, how can they monitor who is there? Need security on top of security. Paranoid isn't it?