How "safe" is the ship?

[NMTraveller]

On 12/1/2022 at 10:34 PM, chemmo said:

If you are threatened to hand over valuables just do it.

 

Or hand over a wallet with expired credit cards,  expired ID, and a bit of cash.

 

I suppose it depends upon where we are travelling.

Nice places or ... places.

 

The state department website does an excellent job of describing threats in each foreign country.

Edited December 4, 2022 by NMTraveller

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This question must be on the minds of many for a cruise line to feel the need to post ( in 3 languages) that a passenger that feels threaten in any way need only to bring it to the attention of any staff member.

Many offices have emergency notification systems.  No surprise here.

 

I’ve learned that what I assume is common sense is not agreed on by everyone.  I find a surprising number of people who ask “what do I do if I’m in trouble?”.

[NMTraveller]

Cruise ships are for the most part fairly safe.  The risk of theft is reduced while on the ship.

 

We did witness someone being taken off of the Edge in port and handed over to the local police.  

Edited December 4, 2022 by NMTraveller

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

56 minutes ago, zitsky said:

And no one else noticed the ship going down?

I'd at least wait until the signal to go to your muster stations sounded before jumping to worst-case scenarios.

[zitsky]

53 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Not a single soul. New Years Eve and the bubbly was flowing throughout the ship. Maybe too much celebrating on the bridge caused an officer to lean against the ship's 'joy stick' that caused the ship to make such a sharp turn  causing everything not batten down to come crashing down. No one could care that evening , it would appear, had we hit an iceberg in the Caribbean ?

What?  Did you say you hit an iceberg?  Kidding.

[morpheusofthesea]

24 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

I'd at least wait until the signal to go to your muster stations sounded before jumping to worst-case scenarios.

Not in the condition this group was in. They were oblivious to falling out of their seats.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

10 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Not in the condition this group was in. They were oblivious to falling out of their seats.

But again, if there is no signal to go to muster stations, there is no reason TO go to muster stations.

[morpheusofthesea]

25 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

But again, if there is no signal to go to muster stations, there is no reason TO go to muster stations.

And again...In an emergency situation things can go wrong, alarms and signals may not work or fail. A fire on board the Regent Sea knocked out emergency lighting and all power, we were bobbing around the sea and could not go back to our cabins. An SOS was put out and a freighter pulled up within yards of the ship. Captain passed out word via crew to prepare to abandon ship should he give the order. Passengers, prior to the freighter, panic, fighting over loungers  on deck, no air conditioning.

   And what if no real emergency? Here is a post...

Pattycruise

Members

 2k

Posted April 11

On Anthem last week the Emergency signal sounded, for quite some time, in the middle of a sea day.   It took a bit for someone to come over the speaker and announce disregard. (Only once and it was barely audible over the sound of the alarm).   In the meanwhile kids were panicking on where to go, staff had different reactions, some ran to what I assume were their stations, others stayed where they were, continuing their work. Someone in the spa reported to the clients it must be an error because “there’s nothing on the computer”. Guests were saying “it’s only a drill” (I guess they are unaware drills occur on port days). I happened to be near my muster station so stepped over to it.  
my takeaway: a lot of people were unaware of what they should be doing and staff failed to communicate clearly, leaving people panicked. 
the following day at the Captains corner it was mentioned there was a malfunction and had it been a real emergency there would have been additional announcements.

I hope this helps anyone who finds themselves on a ship with a muster signal mishap.

Edited December 4, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[BridgeMates]

Before, you leave the cabin on the last day, Always double-check the drawers and cabinets!

I thought I had, but a few cruises back, I left my small jewelry bag and a bag with medicines in one drawer intending to put them in my carry-on that morning.  Rushing back from breakfast, I grabbed the carry-on and didn't discover the missing items until we got home and unpacked the next day.  Contacted Celebrity lost and found of course and filled out some forms.  By then the ship had sailed again.  I went on the roll call for that cruise but couldn't contact anyone.  Did manage to reach someone on the following cruise who went to GR to check for me,  but no luck.  No jewelry/medicines were ever retrieved.  Other than one or two good pairs of earrings, it was all costume jewelry.   

Another time, on a B2B, we came back to our cabin on turnaround day and a crew member was putting all of the bathroom stuff into a big brown bag.  The cabin steward knew we were on a B2B but apparently they get extra help on that day.  Now on a B2B, I move my stuff into a safer place.  Replacing all the stuff in your bathroom before the ship sails again would be a nightmare, especially if you're in a foreign port.

[MMsteffey]

 

On 12/2/2022 at 10:01 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

The OP did state this is their first cruise and based on their name, guessing they're from the Philippines and perhaps have not vacationed much in or around North America

 

On 12/2/2022 at 10:34 AM, Tierun said:

They didn’t say upside down… lol

The OP is Canadian (look under their screen name).  Understandable why she’s wary.

excellent advice here for the OP, you do not need your purse at the pool or anywhere on board.

 Carry your phone, get a pocket for the back to slip in your cruise card.  Phones have little value to thieves these days because they are trackable and lockable.  

Take all the advice you were given in port.  Have a great trip! 

[rmalbers]

I think the X ships are about the safest place you can be but: I've got a couple of things:  On a X holiday cruise a 30 something from europe did something, I'm not sure what, that was caught on a camera, there are cameras everywhere, and escorted to a room where security read him the riot act.  He took that real serious, I think that security is real good at their job.  Another thing, a woman who was on that costa? ship that 2/3 sunk in the med., she said that as everything was going on NO ONE followed instructions and it was a serious mess until everyone (almost) got off the ship.  If something crazy happens, just keep your cool.  

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

On 12/2/2022 at 3:34 PM, Cachecara said:

Simply not true.  
We cruised to Bermuda from Cape Liberty July 2018.   A male was detained in his stateroom across from ours and was under security watch 24/7 until arrival in Bermuda at which time he was escorted off and flown back to NJ under police supervision.  
That same cruise, we observed security immediately attend to a couple obviously inebriated, cursing loudly, throwing drinks at each other and swinging arms at each other.  
it can happen anywhere.  X is not immune. 

From New Jersey, you say? I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell you!

 

(Jersey accents are momentarily stuck in my head like "It's a small world")

Edited December 4, 2022 by 4-2-N-8

[PTC DAWG]

I don’t understand the folks that carry a purse/wallet around the ship…what’s the point? 

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

15 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

Or hand over a wallet with expired credit cards,  expired ID, and a bit of cash.

 

I suppose it depends upon where we are travelling.

Nice places or ... places.

 

The state department website does an excellent job of describing threats in each foreign country.

Nah, I'll just poke the perp in the eyes like Moe used to do to Curly. In case that doesn't work, I'll hit 'em in the head with my frying pan (which I have with me at all times).

[C-Dragons]

16 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I don’t understand the folks that carry a purse/wallet around the ship…what’s the point? 

I carry a “wristlet” to hold my pen, note paper, key card, and sometimes my cell phone.

[Reel Love]

On 12/1/2022 at 9:09 PM, PineappleTraveler said:

 

 

If another passenger was threatening to you in some way, do you believe the ship security would respond helpfully to a request for assistance? Any safety tips you recommend? 

Yes in our situation security was very responsive.  We reported someone in the cabin next to us for constantly smoking on their balcony (this cruise was shortly after another ship had a fire aboard which of course the cruise lines take VERY seriously).  My husband happens to be a firefighter and naturally noted the dangers of a fire on a ship when he called.  Security came immediately and spoke with both DH and the guy next door who then started yelling at my husband and was quite nasty. 

They promptly moved this guy and his wife to another cabin and charged them cleaning fees (and a fine I believe) as they had to wash the walls down etc. -  turns out they had been smoking in their stateroom as well as on the balcony (Sorry - I'm getting off topic).

As an aside, DH is 6'2" and can "handle himself" in a difficult situation and he commented afterwards that there was no way in he11 that he would ever mess with this security person lol.  He was not a large man but it was obvious that he was well trained, very physically fit, he de-escalated the situation well, and was extremely calm and professional.  BTW of note is they wear body cams.  In our case as soon as the guy next door started yelling, hubby noticed security turn it on.

Edited December 4, 2022 by Reel Love

[zitsky]

3 hours ago, MMsteffey said:

 

 

The OP is Canadian (look under their screen name).  Understandable why she’s wary.

excellent advice here for the OP, you do not need your purse at the pool or anywhere on board.

 Carry your phone, get a pocket for the back to slip in your cruise card.  Phones have little value to thieves these days because they are trackable and lockable.  

Take all the advice you were given in port.  Have a great trip! 

What surprised me was the question would security help if I’m in trouble?  Well I would hope so!

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

5 hours ago, BridgeMates said:

Before, you leave the cabin on the last day, Always double-check the drawers and cabinets!

 

And the safe, including checking under the mat in the safe. Once on a cruise on another line, I was putting something in the safe and it was not laying flat. I pulled my stuff out and tried to flatten the mat and discovered a couple of rings. I took them down to Guest Services to turn in, and when they were entering the cabin information a note popped up about a guest from 2 cruises prior in that stateroom who had reported rings missing after their cruise. I guess either my cabin had been unoccupied the cruise prior or the occupants didn't use the safe - or didn't notice things not laying flat.

[NCteacherlovescruising]

On 12/1/2022 at 9:52 PM, cluso said:

 

It's amazing how many women carry their purse everywhere onboard (and I am a woman).  We see this on every cruise.  We use the safe for passports, wallets, and cash.  I am not into many jewels.  Electronics and prescription drugs we just leave in the drawers or on a charger.  First "Celebrity" cruise was on the Chandris Amerikanis in 1985.  No problems at all. We are in our 60's and 70's.   

If I have my purse it’s because I don’t have a pocket for my phone. 

[Lastdance]

A friend of mine was just in Paris taking a taxi to her new hotel outside the city.  The driver loaded her suitcases, but she did not check and make sure that they werre both there before the trunk was closed.  When she arrived at her destination, one of her bags was gone; the new one with her most important clothes, shoes and accessories.  She felt extremely violated, but realized that she always keeps her eyes on her luggage, but this time she did not. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to ruin your vacation.  

[ArmyCop42]

7 hours ago, Reel Love said:

Yes in our situation security was very responsive.  We reported someone in the cabin next to us for constantly smoking on their balcony (this cruise was shortly after another ship had a fire aboard which of course the cruise lines take VERY seriously).  My husband happens to be a firefighter and naturally noted the dangers of a fire on a ship when he called.  Security came immediately and spoke with both DH and the guy next door who then started yelling at my husband and was quite nasty. 

They promptly moved this guy and his wife to another cabin and charged them cleaning fees (and a fine I believe) as they had to wash the walls down etc. -  turns out they had been smoking in their stateroom as well as on the balcony (Sorry - I'm getting off topic).

As an aside, DH is 6'2" and can "handle himself" in a difficult situation and he commented afterwards that there was no way in he11 that he would ever mess with this security person lol.  He was not a large man but it was obvious that he was well trained, very physically fit, he de-escalated the situation well, and was extremely calm and professional.  BTW of note is they wear body cams.  In our case as soon as the guy next door started yelling, hubby noticed security turn it on.

Was this on a Celebrity Cruise?

[Reel Love]

10 minutes ago, ArmyCop42 said:

Was this on a Celebrity Cruise?

Yes.  Celebrity Eclipse back in 2017.

[ArmyCop42]

Cool, I have not yet sailed Celebrity but soon...I usually get to know the Security when i get on board..They find out my previous experience in LE and Security and we get to talking...I am not talking about Celebrity, but the cruise lines that have short cruises are going to have to up their Security programs game with the world what it is today....But the OP asked about ship safety...Its not as good as you think in a lot of aspects...

[dlh015]

24 minutes ago, ArmyCop42 said:

..Its not as good as you think in a lot of aspects...

Care to elaborate? Folks here have a vested interest in such things...and this phrase is a bit of a cliffhanger...

[Reel Love]

ArmyCop42 - I hope that you have a fabulous cruise and enjoy Celebrity!  '

Thankfully this was the one and only time out of eight Celebrity cruises (plus a couple of cruises on a couple of other lines) where we had a situation to call security but certainly understand that issues can and do occur.  

My brother was career military and finished his career as a sea trainer for safety with Canadian Navy so the one time he took a "pleasure cruise" with us I received some impromptu safety lessons haha (which I shouldn't laugh....some pretty great advice was provided!)

And thank you for your service!

Edited December 5, 2022 by Reel Love