Security on River Cruises anyone concerned?

[suzyluvs2cruise]

He has been focused more on where boats are vulnerable from potential security threats...not crew theft, etc. One of the big issues he has found is the "rafting" or "double docking" where passengers from different boats pass thru other boats.

 

My best friend is a retired Secret Service Agent who was in charge of the VP security for many years. He is the main security consultant for one of the largest riverboat lines and cruises with them incognito on a regular basis to update potential issues and view current practices. So they are very aware of security and we don't see a lot of what goes on behind the scenes.

 

We just returned from Viking Grand European from Budapest to Amsterdam. Guests went to Munich, from Regensburg, Germany (79 miles) the day before the Munich attack on a Viking sponsored excursion.

 

We boarded in Budapest on June 15 and disembarked in Amsterdam this a.m. I did not see any changes onboard relative to ship access after the attacks in Germany. The doors were wide open.....especially when we were rafted. I'm sure there are some behind the scenes things we don't see but feel it's very easy for someone to come onboard. As long as you look like you belong no one says anything.

 

I know things can happen anywhere and never felt afraid but did feel access was very easy if someone wanted to come onboard.

[philw1776]

Staying away from Europe for a while?

 

Yes, an we are putting away our plans to visit the USA, seems there's no safety there.

Gun fights in major cities between police and madmen, slaughter in a nght club, bombing at the Boston marathon, it's just too dangerous!!!

 

Advise UK tourists to stay away from Boston & New England around Patriots Day 19 April. Emotions still run high here from that tea tax business in 1775.

[philw1776]

He has been focused more on where boats are vulnerable from potential security threats...not crew theft, etc. One of the big issues he has found is the "rafting" or "double docking" where passengers from different boats pass thru other boats.

 

I'm situationally aware and noticed when our Viking ships were rafted that they had personnel posted at the passageway watching thru traffic. I assume you were stopped if you tried to turn and get past them into the ship. I didn't try. :)

Edited July 30, 2016 by philw1776

[travelcs]

I am concerned!

 

We just returned from a Vantage river cruise down the Rhone in France. On the second night 2 terrorists simply walked onto the ship and up the stairs to the top deck. They were walking around bothering everybody. I confronted them and told them to get the F&%& off the boat. After insuating each other for about 10 minutes, some passengers went down stairs to get some help. The two terrorists then also went downstairs and eventually left the ship. The problem with The Vantage boats is that there is no security for the top deck. You need a room ket to get onto the inside of the ship from land, but not for the top deck. I complained the threatened for 2 days and finally vantage hired a security firm to secure the top deck 24/7. I wrote to the president of Vantage but havent received a reply.

 

has anyone else had the same experience?

[SCHappilyRetired]

I am concerned!

 

We just returned from a Vantage river cruise down the Rhone in France. On the second night 2 terrorists simply walked onto the ship and up the stairs to the top deck. They were walking around bothering everybody. I confronted them and told them to get the F&%& off the boat. After insuating each other for about 10 minutes, some passengers went down stairs to get some help. The two terrorists then also went downstairs and eventually left the ship. The problem with The Vantage boats is that there is no security for the top deck. You need a room ket to get onto the inside of the ship from land, but not for the top deck. I complained the threatened for 2 days and finally vantage hired a security firm to secure the top deck 24/7. I wrote to the president of Vantage but havent received a reply.

 

has anyone else had the same experience?

 

I see this is your first post. Welcome! I do have to ask...What do you mean by "terrorists"? Did they have guns or any other weapons? Did they hold anyone hostage? Threaten anyone?

[philw1776]

I see this is your first post. Welcome! I do have to ask...What do you mean by "terrorists"? Did they have guns or any other weapons? Did they hold anyone hostage? Threaten anyone?

 

I believe he was being facetious.

 

Unless maybe he confused a couple lost Frenchmen who wandered aboard by mistake as being terrorists. :)

[capriccio]

I see this is your first post. Welcome! I do have to ask...What do you mean by "terrorists"? Did they have guns or any other weapons? Did they hold anyone hostage? Threaten anyone?

 

I was thinking they gave out a business card...

 

If 2 non-passengers were bothering folks on the sun deck I have two questions for the OP: 1) were there no staff on the deck? and more importantly, 2) why did it take 10 minutes for someone to bring them to staff's attention especially if they were seen by a number of passengers?

Edited August 16, 2016 by capriccio

[SCHappilyRetired]

I believe he was being facetious.

 

Unless maybe he confused a couple lost Frenchmen who wandered aboard by mistake as being terrorists. :)

 

Probably so. I tend to be sensitive when someone says terrorist. A friend of mine died on board the AA flight out of Boston on 9/11. I'll be on the Rhone with AMA in 2 weeks and I'll be on the lookout for those Frenchmen!

[philw1776]

Probably so. I tend to be sensitive when someone says terrorist. A friend of mine died on board the AA flight out of Boston on 9/11. I'll be on the Rhone with AMA in 2 weeks and I'll be on the lookout for those Frenchmen!

 

I was a regular commuter on Flight 11. Obviously not on that day.

Good travels! Enjoy & yes watch out for Frenchmen!

[travelcs]

I see this is your first post. Welcome! I do have to ask...What do you mean by "terrorists"? Did they have guns or any other weapons? Did they hold anyone hostage? Threaten anyone?

Here is the dictionary.com definition of terroist. "A person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism" That is what I mean. They did not have visable guns nor suicide vests, but they were threatening people, and right before they left the deck, one of them spit in my face.

[travelcs]

Probably so. I tend to be sensitive when someone says terrorist. A friend of mine died on board the AA flight out of Boston on 9/11. I'll be on the Rhone with AMA in 2 weeks and I'll be on the lookout for those Frenchmen!

These were not confused frenchmen. I am not trying to be funny.

[travelcs]

I was thinking they gave out a business card...

 

If 2 non-passengers were bothering folks on the sun deck I have two questions for the OP: 1) were there no staff on the deck? and more importantly, 2) why did it take 10 minutes for someone to bring them to staff's attention especially if they were seen by a number of passengers?

There were no staff on the top deck. If so, they would probably have intercepted the intruders. For your question # 2, I don't know. There were not a lot of people up there. I have the same question.

 

I am still hoping to hear from any of you who might have had similar experiences.

[KathyK13]

There were no staff on the top deck. If so, they would probably have intercepted the intruders. For your question # 2, I don't know. There were not a lot of people up there. I have the same question.

 

I am still hoping to hear from any of you who might have had similar experiences.

 

What cruise were you on? What action was taken by the Vantage crew? Were the police called to report the intrusion?

[travelcs]

What cruise were you on? What action was taken by the Vantage crew? Were the police called to report the intrusion?

 

We were on the July 23 Vantage trip to France. Down the Rhone. The Vantage crew told the intruders to leave the ship but did not physically accost them. They did say that they called the French Police (who never arrived). I believe that the intruders thought that the police were coming and then left on their own. Several of us called the Vantage headquarters in Boston who 2 days later hired a security firm to guard the entrance 24/7

[TravelerThom]

Here is the dictionary.com definition of terroist. "A person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism" That is what I mean. They did not have visable guns nor suicide vests, but they were threatening people, and right before they left the deck, one of them spit in my face.

And terrorism is generally defined as violence for political or ideological ends. I fail to see that documented. What I read was that your first interaction with them was to tell them to get the f*** off the boat. Even drunks who don't speak any English recognize that as an insult. I wasn't there and don't know the whole story, but so far IMO the word terrorist has been extremely loosely used.

[Got2Cruise]

Is vantage different than other ships in layout? How did these two get to the sundeck without walking past the front door?

[Pyroforyou]

I have not been on a Vantage riverboat but looking at the pictures the bridge is right next to the stairs unless these guys walked all the way thru the ship to the back then upstairs. Someone would be in the bridge at all times.

 

Getting back to general riverboat security, a locked gate would do nothing for a determined attacker but might make a hobo look elsewhere. Your on a riverboat with rowboats on the shoreline all the time as you cruise. Not too hard to get onboard a boat. Be aware and hope the your wife/husband locked the sliding door to your stateroom after they took that great picture of sights you passed a few hours ago.

[travelcs]

have it your way

[CPT Trips]

The stairs, on most Vantage and GCT ships, to the sun deck are outside reception area on both sides. There is no need to enter the ship to go up to the sun deck; or, if you prefer, you have to go outside to access the sun deck stairs. That was also the design on the several ships we rafted with over the years.

ETA: my experience does not include Viking.

Edited August 17, 2016 by CPT Trips

[capriccio]

We were on the July 23 Vantage trip to France. Down the Rhone. The Vantage crew told the intruders to leave the ship but did not physically accost them. They did say that they called the French Police (who never arrived). I believe that the intruders thought that the police were coming and then left on their own. Several of us called the Vantage headquarters in Boston who 2 days later hired a security firm to guard the entrance 24/7

 

I am glad you are no longer calling them terrorists since a) it seems to be a totally inaccurate description and b) it seems that the term was used to rile up and possibly frighten people.

 

In order to understand the incident better, can you please share with us the port you were in and

 

 

• Their physical actions: What exactly were they doing? You mentioned 'bothering everyone.' Were they trying to rob passengers? Where they accosting passengers? Where they threatening their well being?
  
• Their verbal actions: Were threats made? In what language? If not English, could one of the passengers understand them?
  

In your original post you wrote "I confronted them and told them to get the F&%& off the boat. After insuating (insulting?) each other for about 10 minutes, some passengers went down stairs to get some help." This still baffles me that anyone would forcefully argue with an intruder (or a terrorist) for 10 minutes before someone in the crowd thinks it might be wise to get staff assistance. Why confront them at all? Just get immediate assistance.

 

 

Finally, why would you think that the Vantage crew should physically accost them if they didn't physically hurt anyone?

[pully8]

what a bizarre tale. in July the top deck would be popular because of the fine weather.

 

we have seen over our 8 European river cruises people on board who are not staff/passengers but they are usually wearing name tags, or escorted by staff. we did have a German dance group who performed on the top deck when docked in Roth during opening a landing dock celebrations for locals and passengers. staff supervised some locals who also boarded to see the ship and passengers were informed that cabins were not being viewed.

 

we are all vulnerable anywhere, short of private armed security or a personal AK47 we must all take care.

[squarevanman]

I did not put two and two together until re reading this thread. Last week on my CroisiEurope Seine cruise the outside doors were kept locked whilst ship was docked. Everyone was told the entry code but many forgot. This ship also has stairs to the sundeck on the outside. This year I noticed every time I went on the sundeck in port there was a member of crew in the wheelhouse sometimes a sailor, sometimes a member of the hotel side. On reflection I have never seen this on my previous cruises and can only assume this is an additional security measure.

In Paris I noticed a lot of police on foot, bicycle, motor cycle and car patroling the quay side.

[travelcs]

I have not been on a Vantage riverboat but looking at the pictures the bridge is right next to the stairs unless these guys walked all the way thru the ship to the back then upstairs. Someone would be in the bridge at all times.

 

Getting back to general riverboat security, a locked gate would do nothing for a determined attacker but might make a hobo look elsewhere. Your on a riverboat with rowboats on the shoreline all the time as you cruise. Not too hard to get onboard a boat. Be aware and hope the your wife/husband locked the sliding door to your stateroom after they took that great picture of sights you passed a few hours ago.

 

Nobody is in the bridge when the boat is docked.

[travelcs]

The stairs, on most Vantage and GCT ships, to the sun deck are outside reception area on both sides. There is no need to enter the ship to go up to the sun deck; or, if you prefer, you have to go outside to access the sun deck stairs. That was also the design on the several ships we rafted with over the years.

ETA: my experience does not include Viking.

 

You are exactly right. That is the problem.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Actually, not true on our cruise on AmaWaterways in Bordeaux last week; in port there was always an officer on the bridge.

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

 

Nobody is in the bridge when the boat is docked.