Cruises to places with travel warnings can still be safe, experts say

Amid a travel warning, two Carnival Cruise Line passengers were allegedly sexually assaulted in the Bahamas, and some travelers may be wondering whether to visit ports under the advisory. unknown.

Two female guests from Kentucky said they were drugged and raped while stranded on Grand Bahama Island. Bahamian police arrested two men last week on suspicion of sexual assault.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued the following statement: security alert In late January, alerting about recent murders in Nassau, the State Department Level 2 advisory The popular island nation has been in force since 2018, urging travelers to be “extremely vigilant” against crime. However, such warnings do not necessarily mean that the visit is dangerous.

“It all comes down to personal risk assessment,” said Jared Feldman, owner of travel agency Jafeldma Travel. “You’re not going to give up on travel completely either. That’s just a recommendation. Be aware.”

Is it safe to take a cruise to a location with a travel advisory?

Cruise operators monitor potential safety issues well in advance of departure. “Security is a top priority for cruise lines, and we always consider concerns from terrorism and other threats,” Feldman said.

Feldman said cruise lines typically distribute safety warnings to guests through onboard announcements and daily planner notes distributed in cabins.

Nicholas Gerson, the attorney for Carnival guests Amber Shearer and Donguila Dobson, told USA TODAY last week that his clients were unaware of the Bahamas warning at the time and that “the warning issued by Carnival I didn’t know anything about it.”

Carnival spokesman Matt Lupoli said in an email Tuesday that the line’s “onboard teams regularly share guidance with guests to help them stay safe while ashore,” but Gerson said He did not particularly comment on the statement.

Miami admiralty attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey said this was more than just a spontaneous move. Cruise lines have a legal obligation to warn guests about dangers “of which the cruise line knew or should have known.”

“They have a duty under common maritime law to inform passengers of these risks,” he said. This includes any risks during port calls, which Hickey said are “part of” the cruise.

However, travel advisories are “fluid”. According to Carrie Pasquarello, his CEO and co-founder of Global Secure Resources Inc., a company focused on risk mitigation and threat assessment planning, they depend on geopolitical developments, the environment, and other factors. It may change accordingly. It may also contain more nuance than a single number can express.

For example, Mexico different warning levels For various states. “Even though there are so many different risks in Mexico, so many people still travel to Mexico and enjoy great trips and vacations,” Pasquarello said.

The Bahamas also postponed a crime alert shared by the U.S. Embassy, and the Prime Minister’s Office noted that the Level 2 rating remained unchanged. The Bahamas has been listed at Level 2 since the travel advisory system began in 2018 (temporarily raised to Level 3 in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

office stated in a statement The incident, described in the Crime Alert (which warns of near-homicidal incidents in Nassau since the start of the year), “raises concerns about the general safety of the Bahamas, a country of 16 tourist destinations, and many more islands. It is not a reflection.”

“Our law enforcement agencies have taken stringent measures to maintain the reputation they have earned, including increased police presence and additional police resources (including facial recognition CCTV surveillance technology) and training,” the statement continued. Ta.

Will cruise lines cancel ports of call due to travel advisories?

Feldman said cruise lines are “trying to be as undisruptive as possible to the passenger experience” and are unlikely to change policy due to advisories like those currently in place for the Bahamas and Jamaica. Ta.

“We will only revise the itinerary if there is a truly serious and bona fide threat to the safety of the passengers, or if it is unsafe for passengers to disembark the ship or to navigate certain areas,” he said. That will change,” he said. Many cruise lines have recently canceled or rerouted sailings away from the Red Sea amid continued attacks on commercial and naval ships.

“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and as part of our routine safety measures, we regularly monitor the local destinations our ships visit and communicate with government and law enforcement authorities. We are in close contact,” Carnival spokesperson Lupoli said. He added that the line will “react quickly” if changes are needed.

The contract that passengers agree to when they book a cruise allows the operator to change ports of call if necessary without paying compensation (though it may be offered as a goodwill gesture).

Tips for staying safe at cruise port

There are ways cruise passengers can protect themselves while traveling.

Pasquarello recommended researching the destination before booking. “We want travelers to be proactive and prepared and to be able to review risk indicators along with level advisories,” she said.

Pasquarello also likes to consider recommendations from other countries for specific destinations, such as Canada or Australia, to get a more complete picture. “Each of these countries has their own level of risk assessment and they look at things differently, so I want to see the big picture of where we’re going,” she added.

Cruise ship crime:What you need to know if you are sexually assaulted on a cruise

Travelers can also register for State Department services. Smart Traveler Registration Programwhich can provide safety information about your destination or help you contact the U.S. Embassy in case of an emergency.

Many health insurance plans do not cover travelers while abroad. Pasquarello urged travelers to call their travel insurance company to check and consider their travel insurance if they are lacking coverage.

Feldman recommended booking an organized shore excursion when you come ashore. “You don’t necessarily have to travel alone, try to travel with others,” he said, adding that other general guidelines include exploring during the day when possible and being aware of your surroundings. Recommended to follow safety practices. Cruise passengers also have the option of remaining on board during port stops.

Pasquarello said there are risks and crimes in the U.S. and on cruise ships, and travelers need to make their own decisions about their own health. “We have to be our best safety advocates,” she said.

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Cruises to places with travel warnings can still be safe, experts say

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