Disney closed all of its operations yesterday. There was talk on one of our national networks about whether Disney would continue its cruises. It was an ambiguous statement.

Unfortunately, cruise ships are targets.

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SECURITY HEIGHTENED ABOARD THE SHIPS OF HOLLAND AMERICA LINE AND WINDSTAR CRUISES

Seattle, Sept. 11, 2001 -- The management and employees of Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises extend their heartfelt sympathy to all persons who have been affected by today's acts of terrorism in the United States.

Although the company has no reason to believe its ships are at risk, in response to these events, the company is taking every possible precaution to protect its passengers, employees and ships. Holland America has a comprehensive on-board security program.

Company management is in continual communication with all ships, where all operations and on-board programs are proceeding as scheduled, although with heightened security in effect. All cruise itineraries currently are being maintained as published.

Nondenominational memorial services are being conducted today on all ships. Guests on board all Holland America Line ships and Windstar's Wind Surf are being provided with complimentary Internet access to communicate with friends and loved ones.

The company also is working on alternative travel arrangements for any current or future guests who may be affected by current air travel disruptions. The Air/Sea Department will be staffed 24 hours a day.

Guests and travel agents with concerns may call the Holland America/Windstar help desk at 1-800-577-1728.
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quote:

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Originally posted by Cunardcoll:
Were there any ships in New York when it happened , and if so , are they damaged or dirty by the cloud of the collaps ???

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quote
All P&O Cruises' passengers currently on land tours and stays around New York and Washington have now been safely accounted for. All Aurora's crew has also been safely accounted for.

P&O Cruises' Aurora is presently en route to Boston, where she will arrive later today. Her next scheduled cruise is due to depart from New York on Saturday. P&O Cruises is continuing to monitor the situation to assess whether this cruise will embark in New York as planned, or whether an alternative port will be used, in which case all passengers will be informed.

P&O Cruises has provided a telephone number for people concerned about friends and family on P&O Cruises or Princess Cruises holidays in the areas, travel agents with P&O Cruises' or Princess Cruises' passengers due to travel to the affected areas today or tomorrow, and P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises customers themselves due to travel to the affected areas today or tomorrow. The number is 020 7800 2255.

Swan Hellenic's Clipper Adventurer cruise is currently in Newport. The scheduled call at New York has been cancelled and the ship will depart for Philadelphia later today. Any queries regarding this revised itinerary should be directed to 0207 800 2200.

Princess Cruises is working with the airlines to minimise disruption to passengers due to travel on other Princess Cruises fly-cruises around the world, and will be informing passengers if any changes to their flight arrangements become necessary, as soon as these are known.

The safety of passengers and crew is the prime concern of P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Swan Hellenic, and security on all ships is being operated at the highest level.

11th September 2001

Unquote:

I don't think I will be able to get into the secure dock area in Greenock either to see the Norway on Friday, I will just have to see her from afar.

Who is interested in such an crime?

Here's an announcement we just received from HAL....

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HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CANCELS SEPT. 13 SAILING OF MS WESTERDAM

Seattle, Sept. 12, 2001 -- Due to the continued suspension of air traffic by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in the aftermath of Tuesday's tragic events on the East Coast, Holland America Line has cancelled the Sept. 13 sailing of the ms Westerdam from Vancouver. This is the only cruise affected at this time.

The ship -- with 1,477 guests on board -- currently is enroute southbound from Ketchikan and scheduled to arrive on time in Vancouver, where it will remain in port instead of sailing on its next seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise Thursday evening.

The guests on board the Westerdam are being advised that all who have air connections may stay on board at no charge until alternate travel arrangements can be made. Guests who remain on board will be responsible for their individual expenses, including telephone, beverages, shop purchases, etc. The company is sending a Passenger Programs team to Vancouver to assist guests with travel plans.

In addition, Holland America Line is working with Canadian officials to keep the ship in port for several days and to provide guests with the most comfortable experience possible.

"Holland America Line wishes to assure our guests that their safety, security and comfort remain our top priority. We ask for patience and cooperation during this difficult situation," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales.

All guests who are scheduled to board the Westerdam for the Sept. 13 cruise will be notified and receive 100 percent future cruise credit in the amount they paid for the cancelled cruise. Travel agent commissions will be protected.

Guests scheduled to sail on the Westerdam on Sept. 13 who purchased air transportation through Holland America's Home City Air Program are requested to return their tickets to Holland America in order to receive future cruise credit in the amount they paid for their air transportation. Guests who did not purchase their air ticket through Holland America are requested to contact their travel agent or the airline that issued the ticket to request a refund or credit.

Guests and travel agents who have questions about the Westerdam's cancellation may call Holland America at 1-800-577-1728.
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I did notice that Royal Caribbean has announced that they have temporarily halted port stops in Morocco and Kusadasi,Turkey as a precaution.

quote:

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Originally posted by sympatico:
From TomC on board the HAL's Amsterdam in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. "A letter from the Captain was put under each cabin door outlining the company's stand. Basically: highest level of security, no visitors, double ID for getting on or off the ship, all bags searched (manually or by x-ray).
He says they really don't expect a problem, but want to be on the safe side.

Message from Marco Polo enroute from Berlin to Amsterdam tomorrow, also on high alert, NO visitors are being allowed on board - have a friend from Hawaii on board this ship & just heard from her. A very close friend of hers who lives in Amsterdam and was a 2nd Maitre'd with HAL for many years, will NOT be allowed on board. This is how strict they will be.

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Looking back on my most recent CARNIVAL VICTORY cruise, while checking in was done properly (x-raying of hand carried items), they NEVER checked my knapsack during port visits in Canada - I even offered to show them, they just waved me on). And on top of that, many of us were allowed to carry our luggage off the ship if we were able. Ok, fine, but NO ONE FROM CUSTOMS EVEN BOTHERED TO CHECK ANY OF IT!! I mean, if I were a terrorist, I could have made contact with someone in Halifax or Saint John, picked up whatever, returned to the ship (and blown it up if I wanted to), and debarked at New York with no problem. It was very convenient to get off the ship this way, by damn, after Tuesday's events, it's obvious that this needs to be changed...it's a miracle that a cruise ship hasn't been overtaken yet, ACHILLE LAURO notwithstanding...

In 2000, before Christmas, our Police picked up an Group of Islamic Terrorists, who wants to bring an Bomb to Explosion in Strasbourg
(France) on Christmas Market in Front of the Cathedral.

I think, US Secret Service was on sleep and the Control for Inland-flights is not good.

Before someone asks, -They did not bring their horses.

Seriously, all aspects of security MUST be tightened in both Canada and the States. Leaving San Diego in February this year on an early morning flight, I can't recall experiencing much security - following a stop over and plane change in Denver for our flight to Toronto, security was equally lax. Our checked baggage may have been x-rayed but nothing was done with our carry on stuff.

I don't care if I have to check in 4 hours before departure - better to be safe than sorry!. That said, the bottom line really is that nothing will deter those set on hijacking or, at worst, suicide.

More to the point, security was significantly tightened as soon as we returned to the ship.

We have highest regard for RCI and Capt. Trym Selvaag for their care and handling of the situation.

..We went through 4 security gates to return to the ship at the next port (San Juan.)
..Two special memorial services were held.
..Constant information was available.
..Free phone and internet access for those in need.
..Much hightened security. (non-U.S. citizens of the crew were not allowed to get off the ship thereafter.)
..Security was so tight at disembarkation that we got off the ship at 12:00 noon instead of the anticipated 9:-9:30 am, mostly due to Custom's extra care.
..Many special care-and-considerations for those stranded by air problems or the like.