pocket knife confiscated

[Seal]

On board Caribbean Princess. Coming on board from a day in Boston, my husband's 3 inch pocket knife was confiscated. We were treated like criminals. The security guard went as far to tell us, "You Americans are obsessed with guns & knives". Mind you, we are Elite. He has carried this knife on & off the ship the last 3 days. Much less the last 20 plus cruises. Now we are criminals. How-ever Security guard Phil said we could have brought on board a sheaf knife, with 3 times the blade length, just not a pocket knife. We might attack his crew. We were told it would be waiting for us as we disembarked. RIGHT. With all the masses leaving, they will have his pocket knife, at the machine that takes our picture. Sure!! What is cruising coming to?

 

Okay--they will send it to your cabin the last night--been in your shoes--on a Sapphire coastal a few years ago--we were somewhere in Oregon and went to a wine tasting--I bought a 3-piece cheese combo--nothing too dangerous in that you would think--put it through the scanner and they stopped me as I went to the end to pick up my belongings--after my "are you kidding??" they explained they weren't--I did need to sign some paper---but--during the last afternoon it appeared in the cabin--still had time to use it if that was my intent--I would imagine that's what will happen with you.

 

Nancy:D

[mytime53]

"What some call "Multi Purpose" tools can be used as weapons.

 

Bob

 

So can parts of formal wear (neckties, stiletto heels), beverages (a full bottle of wine, a broken beer bottle)...

If someone wants to find a weapon, they will. Unless we live in a world of foam rubber (oh, wait, you can suffocate someone with that), items that can be used as weapons can and will be readily available.

 

The blade on a small multi-purpose tool is far less of a "weapon" than many ordinary items that could be picked up around a ship.

[spongerob]

The only thing in danger from my knife is a bottle of wine. The blade is used to cut the foil or plastic over the cork, the corkscrew is used for its intended purpose.

[kendon]

It's the world we live in, and I can't stand it. When shopping, the list grows longer everyday of the items that are either locked up (spray paint, medication, razor blades...) or the items that you must show id for (cigarettes, medication, and Sharpies....yes, you may decide to take them home and get high by sniffing). Went to buy Abreva at Walgreens for a cold sore and it took 15 minutes to find the key to unlock it, then I had to be escorted up to the register. Unbelievable, right? That's what freedom gets you, the abuse of products so that we must all be treated like criminals or young children. What is this world coming to? (I just sounded like my parents!)

[maxxedout2]

On board Caribbean Princess. Coming on board from a day in Boston, my husband's 3 inch pocket knife was confiscated. We were treated like criminals. The security guard went as far to tell us, "You Americans are obsessed with guns & knives". Mind you, we are Elite. He has carried this knife on & off the ship the last 3 days. Much less the last 20 plus cruises. Now we are criminals. How-ever Security guard Phil said we could have brought on board a sheaf knife, with 3 times the blade length, just not a pocket knife. We might attack his crew. We were told it would be waiting for us as we disembarked. RIGHT. With all the masses leaving, they will have his pocket knife, at the machine that takes our picture. Sure!! What is cruising coming to?

 

Sorry to hear of your predicament.

 

The world is a different place since 911,

but the crew member handled the situation wrong

and should be debriefed.

 

Regards.

:cool::cool:

[Coracii]

"What some call "Multi Purpose" tools can be used as weapons.

 

Bob

 

So can just about anything else. I'd guarantee I could do more damage with the carbon-fiber monopod or tripod for my camera gear than a 3" blade on a multi-tool could, but I've never been stopped to have either of them confiscated. There should be some sanity to the security process but unfortunately thanks to events in recent times people prefer the illusion of security, even if it's only an illusion.

[Colo Cruiser]

Keith,

Don't forget that divers use knives as tools in the water...not weapons.

I recall on EOS (the other cruiseline!!!) on a Caribbean itinerary, my US Diver's knife was packed in my suitcase with mask, etc etc.

 

Guess what? The knife arrived no problem to my stateroom...no call from ship's security staff. So I had this in my possession (8 inch blade and strong enough to drive a railroad spike) and as I walked off the ship in Cozumel (because I was going diving) I had it strapped to my leg.

 

Well you should have seen the eyes go agog when I slapped my card in to go ashore as I was surrounded by ...you guessed it, ship's security staff, who grilled me and asked me how I brought the "weapon " onboard. I advised them that I had the knife in my possession since embarkation in Miami and that if they Xrayed the luggage as they said they do, they wouldn't have had to ask the question.

 

I did turn it in on re-boarding, but RCCL unlike Princess make you go ashore and pick up your "contraband" at the far end of the pier in MIA...a true inconvenience at time of disembarkation.

 

I suppose that the OP should be lucky that at least it was at the Princess gangway for reclamation at the end of the voyage. A good reminder!!!

 

Ciao for now!!!

 

 

The OP asked about pocket knives.

 

Not referring to a divers knife. I am talking about the passenger that has to have one on his hip or in his pocket at all times. :rolleyes:

[Colo Cruiser]

I carry a medium sized Swiss Army knife all the time. Embarkation it’s buried in the checked luggage and stays on the ship on port days.

 

Other than the knife, the screwdriver, tweezers and bottle opener have been used several times on every cruise.

 

Some of us cut our duct tape rather than tear it.

 

 

As I stated we bring a leatherman. It too is in checked luggage. I never carry it out and around on the ship or into a port. If it gets confiscated it gets confiscated. No biggie. Actually the last cruise I did not even bring it because 99% of the time I never get it out to use it. ;)

[Coracii]

As I stated we bring a leatherman. It too is in checked luggage. I never carry it out and around on the ship or into a port. If it gets confiscated it gets confiscated. No biggie. Actually the last cruise I did not even bring it because 99% of the time I never get it out to use it. ;)

 

My Leatherman is always in the checked baggage and has never been confiscated, but the only time it leaves the ship is when we disembark at the final destination. It's there in case it's needed in the room, like you I don't even carry it with me on the ship. I do always bring my "backup" Leatherman (much less expensive than the one I use daily at work) just in case it disappears.

[SeaTheWorldBySea]

I asked this before, but my post was removed .......:confused: so I did not get an answer.

 

Why is it OK with ship's security for "weapons" to be in checked luggage but not in carry-on? The day you board, your luggage is deivered to you - with the "weapons" inside. You have access to it/them all of the time you are onboard.

 

If they are going to confiscate a 2" to 3" blade pocketknife, it seems to me they should be scanning every piece of checked luggage more carefully, for similar items.

 

A carry-on to a cruiseship, is not the same thing as a carry-on for a plane and should not be treated in the same way. For example, all the bomb making liquids and gels that can not go in an airplane carry-on would be delivered to our cabin later in the afternoon, packed in our checked luggage.

 

Don't get me wrong - I DO want ship's security to be diligent (and not rude in the process) Perhaps they need to evaluate their guidelines and make them specific for boarding a ship, where passengers will have access to many things that they would not have accessible when on a plane.

[gooch47]

Not much to do with this thread, but I had a scare in Beijing last July.

 

I was taken aside at the airport and the security lady kept insisting I had a knife in my purse. Her English wasn't good, but I could tell she wasn't happy.

 

It turned out it was my metal nail file that I usually pack in the checked luggage.

 

Moral of the story? Be very sure what is packed where.

[dw64]

You guys are really tough!!

 

The knife was returned to us, as we disembarked. Once Rob put his card into the slot, an alarm rang. We were pulled to the side. The knife was returned.

 

The reason Rob always carrys a knife in his pocket: May 18 1987 Rob was accosted in Portland, Or. He was beat up, mugged & robbed. He lost 4 teeth, and the cornia of his right eye was damaged. This happened in broad daylight.

 

While walking the Freedom Trail that day in Boston, Rob was approached twice. Having a knife in his pocket is his safety mechanism.

 

When he flys, it's in his checked baggage. When he goes ashore, his knife is always in his pocket. This time, it was confiscated.

 

I feel the security person was unjustified in saying to us " You Americans are obsessed with guns & knives". I feel he was rude.

Rob did tell the security person, it's his job. He sells Knives for a living. When the security person said to us , " I don't care". We were offended.

 

After reading all these comments, I also feel you missed the point about being Elite. This was not our 1st rodeo.

I had expected & still expect to be treated with common curtisy. Princess failed in my opinoin.

 

Less learned, leave knife on board the ship. Or be prepared to have the knife confiscated, if the X-ray people see it.

[SeaTheWorldBySea]

You guys are really tough!!

 

The knife was returned to us, as we disembarked. Once Rob put his card into the slot, an alarm rang. We were pulled to the side. The knife was returned.

 

The reason Rob always carrys a knife in his pocket: May 18 1987 Rob was accosted in Portland, Or. He was beat up, mugged & robbed. He lost 4 teeth, and the cornia of his right eye was damaged. This happened in broad daylight.

 

While walking the Freedom Trail that day in Boston, Rob was approached twice. Having a knife in his pocket is his safety mechanism.

 

When he flys, it's in his checked baggage. When he goes ashore, his knife is always in his pocket. This time, it was confiscated.

 

I feel the security person was unjustified in saying to us " You Americans are obsessed with guns & knives". I feel he was rude.

Rob did tell the security person, it's his job. He sells Knives for a living. When the security person said to us , " I don't care". We were offended.

 

After reading all these comments, I also feel you missed the point about being Elite. This was not our 1st rodeo.

I had expected & still expect to be treated with common curtisy. Princess failed in my opinoin.

 

Less learned, leave knife on board the ship. Or be prepared to have the knife confiscated, if the X-ray people see it.

 

Thanks for letting us know how this turned out for you. Did you report the rude behavior by the security person? I too would have been offended by his comments.

 

I know this question is off topic for this thread, but ....We leave soon for Boston with plans to walk the Freedom Trail. In what way was your DH approached? What do we need to be on the lookout for?

[notentirelynormal]

You guys are really tough!!

 

The knife was returned to us, as we disembarked. Once Rob put his card into the slot, an alarm rang. We were pulled to the side. The knife was returned.

 

The reason Rob always carrys a knife in his pocket: May 18 1987 Rob was accosted in Portland, Or. He was beat up, mugged & robbed. He lost 4 teeth, and the cornia of his right eye was damaged. This happened in broad daylight.

 

While walking the Freedom Trail that day in Boston, Rob was approached twice. Having a knife in his pocket is his safety mechanism.

 

When he flys, it's in his checked baggage. When he goes ashore, his knife is always in his pocket. This time, it was confiscated.

 

I feel the security person was unjustified in saying to us " You Americans are obsessed with guns & knives". I feel he was rude.

Rob did tell the security person, it's his job. He sells Knives for a living. When the security person said to us , " I don't care". We were offended.

 

After reading all these comments, I also feel you missed the point about being Elite. This was not our 1st rodeo.

I had expected & still expect to be treated with common curtisy. Princess failed in my opinoin.

 

Less learned, leave knife on board the ship. Or be prepared to have the knife confiscated, if the X-ray people see it.

 

I got the Elite comment.... you were referring to "in the past" I've done X amounts of cruises and this never happened. :eek: The rules are the rules - whatever they are .... we all (including you) get that. I think the bottom line here isn't that your knife was confiscated BUT the manner in which it was done. You need to report the rude employee and accept that the knife will/was confiscated (which I think you DID accept).

[Passin Thru]

AHHH! Such a big discssion about a little thing. I had a Swiss Army knife taken along with my nail clippers from checked luggage at Baltimore Airport. I also had to wait while security made the plane safer for everyone by dumping out 1 oz of Pepto Bismol from a 4.5 oz bottle. I carry a Swiss Army knife because I am a mechanic and can find 2 or 3 uses a day for one, loose screws, cutting tiewraps off luggage, cleaning a battery compartment, opening wine bottles and all kinds of stuff. I also know there are about 100 ways to do a person in with bare hands, lamps, chairs, bottles, and stairs so weapons policies are like a joke to me.

[ruatha65]

The Princess Passenger Contract sez:

 

"You may not take on board firearms, controlled or prohibited substances, inflammable or hazardous items, any other items prohibited by applicable law, or any other item Carrier deems in its sole discretion to be detrimental to the safety or comfort of any person. You agree Carrier has, at all times with or without notice, the right to enter and search Your stateroom, personal safe or storage spaces, or to search You, Your baggage and/or personal effects at any location."

 

So it's at Princess' discretion that the knife was confiscated. And I agree that they will get the knife back at the end of the cruise. It may take them some time and will be a lesson learned. :)

 

Just to play devil's advocate......By that vague policy language, they can confiscate cigarettes! After all, they are items that are detrimental to the comfort of many people.:D:D:D:cool:

[maxxedout2]

Here, in my country (United States of Ame Rica-stan), hehehe,

there are some old pocket knife collectors who are glad they didn't

have, say, their 'transition Pal Blade/Remington', 3" bone handle

in their pocket...and have to pitch it into the trash...or have some

over-zealous, righteous crew member take it home (and sell it on Ebay

for a $k!

Pal Blade produced some knives with both Pal stamp and Remington stamped

blades after company was bought out before WWII. These are valuable

and so I also carry a Swiss pocket knife day-to-day...never the 'transition'

or the MK2's.

 

:cool::cool:

[d34567]

...

While walking the Freedom Trail that day in Boston, Rob was approached twice. Having a knife in his pocket is his safety mechanism.

...

 

Besides the obvious reason (your physical safety) I am thankful he did not need to use the knife, I am doubly glad that he had no need to use it since carrying a knife with a blade longer than 2.5" is prohibited in Boston. Fortunately it does not carry a jail term but it is punishable by a fine of up to $300. Now if he had carried pepper spray, that is punishable by up to 2 years in jail :eek: in Massachusetts without a firearms ID. Yes, this is the birthplace of America but it has changed drastically over the last 200+ years.