Cruise Talk: How safe are you on shore excursions????

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Topic: How safe are you on shore excursions????

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 02-27-2012 10:21 AM

Recently 22 passengers on a ship sponsored shore excursion were robbed. Where else but Mexico.
You all know my feelings for the Western Carribean.
Seems like more cruises go there than Eastern or Southern Carribean.
Some ports have been bypassed. It's surprising that piracy hasn't sprung up off the Cenral American coast.
What do you think? Should excursions have security on the buses?
I would never do a tour on any taxi/bus and those that hawk passengers where you get off the ship.
You might pay a few $$ more for ship sponsored excursios but maybe there is safety in numbers and knowing you'll get back to the ship if a problem comes up.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2366 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 02-28-2012 05:06 AM

This was last week's 'news' which the websites seem to have re-reported on for some reason, and not in the Caribbean. If by security on buses you mean armed guards, then no, I do not consider that a good idea. The majority of citizens anywhere in the world are honest and hard working, but there are always the bad apples to be wary of anywhere, in Illinois too! Why visit anywhere if one wants to be cocooned from reality. The locals are no doubt as mad and fed up with the types who hold up tourists as anyone else.
There is piracy off the Central American coast, but a tanker load of crude or a few thousand containers of goodies guarded by a handful of crew is far more lucrative and easier 'prey' than a vessel with hundreds of passengers perhaps carrying some $$ and trinkets.
Pam

Posts: 11640 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Globaliser
First Class Passenger
Member # 4153

posted 02-28-2012 09:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
What do you think? Should excursions have security on the buses?
I would never do a tour on any taxi/bus and those that hawk passengers where you get off the ship.
You might pay a few $$ more for ship sponsored excursios but maybe there is safety in numbers and knowing you'll get back to the ship if a problem comes up.

If any port of call has such a security problem that shore excursions need to be routinely accompanied by security guards (armed or otherwise), I would rather expect the cruise line to drop that port instead. Cruise lines are, after all, some of the most risk-averse travel companies in the whole world. This reflects the world view of many of their passengers.

Personally, I don't change my security approach merely because I happen to be travelling on a ship. Why should I shy away from a taxi in Hong Kong, Dubai or Sydney when I use them routinely on other trips?

And neither do I suspend my critical appraisal of value when looking at ship-sponsored excursions. They are almost always poor value for money. I'd take them if they were the only way of doing what I want to do, or if arranging an alternative way is just too much hassle for which I don't have time or (as is often the case) I'm just feeling too lazy to do anything. While some of the extra money buys a little security in relation to getting back to the ship, it's always an open question as to whether it's worth it - and the answer to that of course depends in part on the individual's outlook on life and travel.

Posts: 1774 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 02-28-2012 10:01 AM

It's a matter of chosing wisely as to itinerary.
This May we will be doing the British Isles. I feel confident that this will be a great cruise.
If anyone has done this cruise,it would be nice to hear what you chose to see there.
!2 days on the Carribean Princess. We looked at the shore excursions offered by Princess. A lot of them seem to mirror each other-city and church tours mostly.
Have not selected anything yet.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2366 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 02-28-2012 11:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
It's a matter of chosing wisely as to itinerary.
This May we will be doing the British Isles. I feel confident that this will be a great cruise.
If anyone has done this cruise,it would be nice to hear what you chose to see there.
!2 days on the Carribean Princess. We looked at the shore excursions offered by Princess. A lot of them seem to mirror each other-city and church tours mostly.
Have not selected anything yet.
Frosty 4

Guatemala, Jamaica, and much of Mexico is dangerous. I lived in the 25th most dangerous neighborhood of NYC for 11 years. No guarantees, but always be aware of your surroundings, wear no jewelry or flash cash. Stay in groups too. Some of my neighbors had mugging money.

Posts: 5557 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

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