On my way to meet the pirates!

[florisdekort]

Hello,

 

I'll be sailing from Singapore to Athens on Quest in April, passing through "pirate alley" of the Somalian coast. I was wondering if someone who took this cruise in November (in the opposite direction) can share something about which special measures are being taken on board, and if/how these measures impact the cruise experience? Thanks :)

 

Cheers -

Floris

[Project_gal]

Hello,

 

I'll be sailing from Singapore to Athens on Quest in April, passing through "pirate alley" of the Somalian coast. I was wondering if someone who took this cruise in November (in the opposite direction) can share something about which special measures are being taken on board, and if/how these measures impact the cruise experience? Thanks :)

 

Cheers -

Floris

 

Floris

 

Did not do it in November but we were on last year's Singapore to Hong Kong at the time the US captain was being towed behind his boat by pirates in the Gulf. The situation was, I believe, worse then than now.

 

Sensible measures were taken. For a period of a couple of days the outside areas of the deck 5 were out of bounds while the crew set up high pressure hoses. We ran dark for one night - no outside lights, curtains and blinds drawn from dusk to dawn, etc. The Captain was in close contact with the protection tast force. If I remember correctly, a couple of security personal came onboard via helicopter. We were all instructed exactly what to do if there was an attack. At the same time the Captain would use the ship's superior speed and manoeuvrability to avoid boarding. Prior to reaching "Pirate Alley", bridge tours were offered given everyone the chance to see how traffic is monitored.

 

Cruise ships are at a much lower risk that less manoeuvrable cargo ships but the issue was taken seriously. We were kept fully informed of what was happening. At the end of it all, there was a huge "We beat the pirates party" and I can honestly say it in no way spoit the cruise.

 

As we left the Suez canal, we had an escort of Dolphins who are, according to Greek legend, pirates! They were the only ones we saw.

 

Enjoy your cruise and do not worry about it. 24 days at see, 7 of the effectively sea-days, and a "Pirate Alley" passage means that, once you reach Athens, you will feel like you are leaving family behind. Wish we were going with you.

 

Sue

[florisdekort]

Sensible measures were taken. For a period of a couple of days the outside areas of the deck 5 were out of bounds while the crew set up high pressure hoses. We ran dark for one night - no outside lights, curtains and blinds drawn from dusk to dawn, etc. The Captain was in close contact with the protection tast force. If I remember correctly, a couple of security personal came onboard via helicopter. We were all instructed exactly what to do if there was an attack. At the same time the Captain would use the ship's superior speed and manoeuvrability to avoid boarding. Prior to reaching "Pirate Alley", bridge tours were offered given everyone the chance to see how traffic is monitored.

 

Cruise ships are at a much lower risk that less manoeuvrable cargo ships but the issue was taken seriously. We were kept fully informed of what was happening. At the end of it all, there was a huge "We beat the pirates party" and I can honestly say it in no way spoit the cruise.

 

As we left the Suez canal, we had an escort of Dolphins who are, according to Greek legend, pirates! They were the only ones we saw.

 

Enjoy your cruise and do not worry about it. 24 days at see, 7 of the effectively sea-days, and a "Pirate Alley" passage means that, once you reach Athens, you will feel like you are leaving family behind. Wish we were going with you.

 

Thanks Sue! I greatly appreciate your detailed feedback!

 

It sounds like the measures indeed were very sensible. I was expecting the ship to run dark from dusk to dawn; happy to read it was only on one night though!

 

I'm greatly looking forward to the 14 (!) sea days on this cruise... it should be very relaxing.

 

If Internet is available, I might do a "live from" report on Cruise Critic.

 

Again, thanks!

 

Floris

[Project_gal]

Floris

 

Sorry, of course I meant "effectively 7 consecutive sea days". There were 14 in total and they were all wonderful.

 

Sue

[Jade13]

Hello,

 

I'll be sailing from Singapore to Athens on Quest in April, passing through "pirate alley" of the Somalian coast. I was wondering if someone who took this cruise in November (in the opposite direction) can share something about which special measures are being taken on board, and if/how these measures impact the cruise experience? Thanks :)

 

Cheers -

Floris

 

Please let is know about it. We are considering going from Dubai to Athens next year. I just wish it was a 14 night instead of 2 night with 2 days in Eqypt instead of one since it is the only port day.

[katkell]

Where exactly is "Pirate Alley". We are going Dubai to Singapore. Think we are in the safe zone?

[Project_gal]

Where exactly is "Pirate Alley". We are going Dubai to Singapore. Think we are in the safe zone?

 

Kakell

 

It is part of the Gulf of Aden along the Somali coast. You will not pass through it between Dubai and Singapore.

 

Sue

[florisdekort]

Hmmmm... This hit the news on a different cruise website today:

 

In the next few weeks, at least six major cruise lines will be repositioning their (relatively) large ships through the Gulf of Aden -the scene of many pirate attacks- as they transition from winter to summer programs.

Coincidentally, the US Maritime Administration this week issued a warning to mariners of an expected increase in pirate activity between now and the end of May in the area off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. In an incident today, pirates fired on the USS Nicholas in the Indian Ocean. The navy ship sank the skiff from which the pirates were firing, and then pursued and captured the mother ship.

 

Best,

Floris

[Project_gal]

In the next few weeks, at least six major cruise lines will be repositioning their (relatively) large ships through the Gulf of Aden -the scene of many pirate attacks- as they transition from winter to summer programs.

 

Floris

 

Please do not worry about this. It will not spoil your cruise. By the end of ours, people were worrying much more about the swine 'flu outbreak than the pirates.

 

We actually had everything in the lead up to our cruise last year - a bad winter for Quest [illness, bad tides, abnormally cold weather and obstructive authorities], terrorism in Mumbai and riots in Greece in addition to pirates in the Gulf. By the time we reached Athens, swine 'flu [unheard of before we left] had infected most parts of the world except the area we had just covered.

 

Sue

[Bollinge]

When you leave Singapore you will have to transit the Straits of Molucca, a hive of pirate activity.

 

The route from Bombay to Dubai goes through the Gulf of Oman.

 

There is no risk of piracy there, however, you will pass through the Straits of Hormuz, about twelve miles from Iran.............

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Straits%20of%20Hormuz&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

 

And then through the Gulf of Aden. Be sure to pack your cutlasses (in your checked baggage)!

[Project_gal]

The route from Dubai to Singapore passes through the Gulf of Oman, not the Gulf of Aden.

 

There is no risk of piracy there, however, you will pass through the Straits of Hormuz, about twelve miles from Iran.............

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Straits%20of%20Hormuz&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

 

Yet when you approach the Malay Peninsula you will have to transit the Straits of Molucca, a hive of pirate activity, so be sure to pack your cutlass in your checked baggage!

 

Floris' cruise is from Singapore to Athens via Dubai and the Suez canal and passes through BOTH the Straits of Oman and Aden.

 

Sue

[florisdekort]

Can't wait. I'll be sitting on my aft balcony, on the look out for pirates. Now that's a refreshing change from trying to spot a dolphin or whale :D

 

Thanks for your words of encouragement Sue... it sounds like you guys truly had the worst possible luck last year, yet still managed to have a great time. Wow!

[Bollinge]

Floris' cruise passes through BOTH the Straits of Oman and Aden.

 

Sue

 

You were quick off the mark. I made the post, re-read the thread and realised I had made a mistake.

 

So I edited it and re-posted within two or three minutes but you had already spotted and commented on my error! :(

[Project_gal]

Can't wait. I'll be sitting on my aft balcony, on the look out for pirates. Now that's a refreshing change from trying to spot a dolphin or whale :D

 

Thanks for your words of encouragement Sue... it sounds like you guys truly had the worst possible luck last year, yet still managed to have a great time. Wow!

 

Floris

 

It was the best and you will truely be hooked on leaning over the rail of your aft balcony.

 

I hope that you have a great hotel in Athens. It takes some weaning off the balcony leaning. We luckily booked the Electra Palace Hotel in the Plaka and had a view to die for.

 

Sue

[Blue Lagoon]

Does anyone know if there is a code for pirate alert?

 

There are codes that we hear thru the PA for medical emergency (alpha) and fire (bravo) so would the passengers ever hear something from the Bridge if there were pirates approaching?

 

Doubt it would be 'Sparrow, sparrow, sparrow'.;)

[Bollinge]

Does anyone know if there is a code for pirate alert?

 

"Skull and Crossbones!"

[Albert Ross]

Floris - where are you...?!

 

[a] having a really good time

no internet access

[c] kidnapped by pirates

[Project_gal]

Floris - where are you...?!

 

[a] having a really good time

no internet access

[c] kidnapped by pirates

 

Albert

 

Floris should be in Pirate Alley about now! No news is good news?????

 

Sue

[Robb]

Please say 'hi' to Captain Carl, CD John Howell, F&B mgr Ken Yap and purser Maia for Robb and Tony, they are the greatest.......

 

Have a wonderful cruise.....

 

Robb and Tony