RCI's ships that stop at Cozumel, do the passengers feel safe?

[Ladysilver]

We've been to Cozumel many times and have always felt safe. :)

[yogimax]

You can find examples of crime in every country and every city in the world. Cozumel is by far among the safer.

[rwdnj]

Watch out for Senor Frogs, they might rob you, especially if you let them pour shots down your throat. They add up fast.

 

Other than that, you'll be ok.

LOL... been there, done that. Even bought the shirt!!!!!

[tankwastheworldsbestdog]

Very interesting. The U.S. State Department has issued no travel warnings that I could find for the Bahamas.

 

I have copied and pasted a portion of the U.S. Embassy's information regarding Nassau for your reference, and as I mentioned previously, RCI's Cruise Compass for the day we were in Nassau listed the same warnings on the front page of the Cruise Compass. I'm including the link for your reference (this only relates to Nassau).

 

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/the-bahamas.html

 

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

As visitors, you should exercise caution and good judgment at all times. Do not engage in high-risk behavior such as excessive alcohol consumption, as it greatly increases your vulnerability to accidents or opportunistic crime. Do not accept rides from strangers or from unlicensed taxi drivers.

CRIME: The criminal threat level for New Providence Island is rated as critical by the Department of State. New Providence Island has experienced a spike in crime that has adversely affected the traveling public, with a spate of more violent criminal activity between 2009 and 2012. The U.S. Embassy has received multiple reports indicating tourists have been robbed at gunpoint or knifepoint in tourist locations in the downtown areas of Nassau, to include the cruise ship docks and the Cable Beach commerce areas; several of these incidents occurred during daylight hours. Burglaries, larcenies and “snatch-and-grab” crimes happen in Nassau and U.S. citizens have been victims of these crimes as well. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as in casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships. The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape in the Caribbean according to a 2007 United Nations report on crime, violence, and development trends. The majority of sexual assaults reported occurred after excessive consumption of alcohol. The loss of ability to remember facts and details due to alcohol consumption makes prosecution of sexual assaults more difficult. Much of the violent crime occurs outside tourist spots, such as in the “over-the-hill” section of Nassau (the area inland from Bay Street, to the South of Bay Street, behind the tourist district), but can occur anywhere, including in areas frequented by tourists. Home break-ins, theft, and robbery are not confined to any specific part of the island.

The upsurge in criminal activity has also led to incidents which, while not directed at tourists, could place innocent bystanders at risk.

Armed robbery remains a major criminal threat facing U.S. citizens in The Bahamas. The Royal Bahamas Police Force issued a message citing concerns about the increased number of armed robberies in Nassau. A U.S. citizen was fatally shot in Nassau in May 2013 during an armed robbery. Between January 1, 2013 and April 15, 2013, there were 328 armed robberies, 111 robberies, and 660 house break-ins, according to statistics available on the Royal Bahamas Police Force website.

Criminal activity in the outlying family islands does occur, but to a much lesser degree than on New Providence Island. The Embassy has received reports of burglaries and thefts, especially thefts of boats and/or outboard motors on Abaco and Bimini.

The Embassy has received no reports of harassment or hate crimes motivated by race, religion, or citizenship. Visitors have reported harassment of persons based on sexual orientation; some women have reported verbal harassment and unwanted attention. Some organized criminal activity is believed to occur in The Bahamas, primarily related to illegal importation and smuggling of illicit drugs or human trafficking. The Bahamas, due to its numerous uninhabited islands and cays, has historically been favored by smugglers and pirates. As a tourist, you would typically not have noticeable interaction with organized crime elements; however, those operating their own water or air vessels should be alert to the possibility of encountering similar crafts operated by smugglers engaged in illicit activities on the open seas or in air space near The Bahamas.

You are advised to report crime to the Royal Bahamian Police Force as quickly as possible. Early reports frequently improve the likelihood of identifying and apprehending suspected perpetrators. In general, the Royal Bahamian Police Force is responsive to reports of crime and takes the threat of crime against tourists very seriously. However, the police response is sometimes slowed by a lack of resources or by physical constraints imposed by geography and infrastructure.

There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself. Beware of your surroundings at all times. The U.S. Embassy reports that victims of crime are often those who have let their guard down to individuals who appeared overly friendly or became victims after criminals targeted them as easy prey due to the visitor appearing excessively drunk or unaware. Take some time before travel to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States. Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law too.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). If your passport is stolen, we can help you replace it during normal Embassy hours. For violent crimes such as assault and rape, we can help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and help you get money from them if you need it. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

It is important to stress that if you are the victim of a crime and you choose to depart the island in order to not miss your cruise ship, or you are not willing to return to The Bahamas to testify in court, the U.S. Embassy cannot serve as your representative or go to court on your behalf. Victims of crimes must file a police report and be willing to do file the necessary legal and paperwork if they want charges to be brought against the perpetrator of a crime. In several instances, U.S. citizens have left the islands and requested that the U.S. Embassy follow up on their behalf while not being willing to return to The Bahamas. Without the direct involvement of the victim and a local attorney, it is much more difficult for the perpetrator to be prosecuted and convicted.

[Thetrail]

The RCI Cruise Compass had a very large warning on the front page for the day we were going to be in Nassau regarding the U.S. Embassy's recently published warnings about the increase in non-violent crimes in Nassau (such as robbery of personal items). It was a very prominent area on the front page of the Cruise Compass. Before leaving on this last weekend's trip I had gone into the U.S. Embassy's website for Nassau based on warnings I had seen in other Cruise Critic boards for the Bahamas regarding the increase in crime there, and yes, the U.S. Embassy went into great deal about where to go, and what areas to stay away from due to lack of police and security in almost all areas except the two main streets near the cruise port. I've been to Nassau on cruises at least 7 times in the past 15 years, and hadn't been back for a while. I knew to be careful when we left the ship, from reading the tricks (on Cruise Critic) that the current criminals were using in Nassau (New Providence Island, I don't know about Paradise Island). So I already knew to not allow anyone to get too close, or "bump" into us, to keep wallets in front pants pockets (men), and for women to keep purses in front (not the sides, and fanny packs only on the front). My daughter's fiance had three different people come right up in his face (before and after we went to Hard Rock for lunch) and shoved necklaces over his head and wanted money, I immediately removed the necklaces and told the people to "go away". When we got back on the ship, a lady sitting next to us in a lounge said her adult son had him wallet stolen when he had come out of a jewelry store (daytime) and thankfully his ID & Sea Pass card were on a lanyard around his neck, not in his wallet. When I was coming back on the tender from Coco Cay, the man sitting next to me said someone had stolen his camera out of his back pocket when he was near one of the restaurants (daytime again) near the ships. It is best to be safe and careful with your belongings no matter what port you are in, anywhere in the world.

Really? You just answered your own post with your last sentence, congratulations!...:rolleyes:

[gb_cruise]

Very interesting. The U.S. State Department has issued no travel warnings that I could find for the Bahamas.

 

The U.S State Department has multiple travel warnings for the Bahamas. Here is the latest summary:

 

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/the-bahamas.html

 

I have personally never had any problems in the Bahamas and have enjoyed visiting Nassau.

Edited January 17, 2014 by gb_cruise
Another poster - posted the same info