Ship security personnel onboard!

[DAHMAN]

I was talking to a friend of mine about our cruise in January 2006 on Rhapsody and was trying to get him and his wife to join us on our next cruise. He had never cruised before so he had lots of questions which I answered and told him what a good time we had. Then he asked me if there was alot of security around (the bars/pools/casinos etc.). I asked my wife and neither of us could ever remember seeing anyone who we thought might have been security anywhere on the ship. I know they have security onboard and we never saw an occasion where they might have been needed. I was just wondering what do they wear? Did anyone else not notice security when they were on their cruise?

[Sheffie]

We sure did. My DH even talked w/ one of the guys and he said the ship had extra security because it was Spring Break.

[DAHMAN]

We sure did. My DH even talked w/ one of the guys and he said the ship had extra security because it was Spring Break.

 

I can definitely see why they might need more security around spring break but I was really suprised not to see any in the casino with all that money floating around.

[Tenbyman]

Lots of security on Navigator in February especially outside the teen areas late at night.

[wraithe]

Most of the security that I saw was during excursions, they were running the computer terminals that you had to pop your Sea Pass in to get off and on the ship, and of course the X-ray machine. On the routine part of the cruise, I'm sure they do their best to remain invisible. Good security will do just that, blend in, you have no idea if the guy sipping the soda at the bar or the girl reading in the sun on the pool deck is security or another tourist. Not to mention cams in the common areas monitorred from a remote location.

[rjg41]

I was talking to a friend of mine about our cruise in January 2006 on Rhapsody and was trying to get him and his wife to join us on our next cruise. He had never cruised before so he had lots of questions which I answered and told him what a good time we had. Then he asked me if there was alot of security around (the bars/pools/casinos etc.). I asked my wife and neither of us could ever remember seeing anyone who we thought might have been security anywhere on the ship. I know they have security onboard and we never saw an occasion where they might have been needed. I was just wondering what do they wear? Did anyone else not notice security when they were on their cruise?

 

Of course there is security on board and they have access to guns if necessary.

 

"Then he asked me if there was alot of security around (the bars/pools/casinos etc.)."

 

What does he expect/hope to see, a bunch guys in dark outfits standing around with ozzies or side arms? You are on vacation. When is the last time you saw a problem at the pool or in the bar or casino that needed security? Their are no bar fights. The cruise lines keep their security forces low key. If your friends are worried about the Smith case, give them the data about their safety on a ship vs in their hometown. Also get them the quote from the FBI agent who testified before Congress about personal safety on ships. If all that doesn't convince them, they should not go because they will not enjoy themsleves, worrying about their safety.

[DAHMAN]

Of course there is security on board and they have access to guns if necessary.

 

As I stated in my original post which I assume you read since you posted about it... "I know they have security on board".

 

What does he expect/hope to see, a bunch guys in dark outfits standing around with ozzies or side arms? You are on vacation. When is the last time you saw a problem at the pool or in the bar or casino that needed security? Their are no bar fights. The cruise lines keep their security forces low key. If your friends are worried about the Smith case, give them the data about their safety on a ship vs in their hometown. Also get them the quote from the FBI agent who testified before Congress about personal safety on ships. If all that doesn't convince them, they should not go because they will not enjoy themsleves, worrying about their safety.

 

I don't think he hopes or expects to see any of that. In fact I am pretty sure he was just asking a question. So I am positive that quoting pointless stuff about FBI agents testifying before Congress is going to be unnecessary.

 

I also stated in my first post that I didn't see an occasion when security might be needed. (guess you missed that too) That is probably a testament to how secure I felt while cruising. I was never wondering where security was and why they weren't handling some situation that was happening onboard.

[grangermom]

rjg41, give the OP a break. Why the attitude? These are discussion forums. And yes, there are bar fights on cruises. My mom and I sailed on the Sovereign in December and a fight broke out right behind us when we were at the Quest. The security guard, who was in the bar working, was right there to break it up.

[CruisingCatherine]

On our most recent cruise onboard the Enchantment there was an altercation in the Viking Crown Lounge. It was very late at night and most of the people had been drinking quite a bit. Two men began verbally arguing with one another. This escalated in a matter of minutes to a physical alterction. In two minutes or less from the time we felt those two guys were going to become physical security arrived from everywhere. There were both security dressed in uniform and those "under cover". The situation was difused immediately. Before all was said and done the two guys were shaking hands and apologizing to each other. All of this happened very quietly. Others in the lounge didn't even know anything had happened until they saw the security leaving. We only noticed because we were sitting very close to the guys who were fighting. I was impressed with how it was handled. We felt the situation was very volitile because the groups that both guys were from were large with many other guys. Security managed to calm everyone down quickly, quietly, and without being mean or arrogant about it.

[megessey]

Of course there is security on board and they have access to guns if necessary.

 

"Then he asked me if there was alot of security around (the bars/pools/casinos etc.)."

 

What does he expect/hope to see, a bunch guys in dark outfits standing around with ozzies or side arms? You are on vacation. When is the last time you saw a problem at the pool or in the bar or casino that needed security? Their are no bar fights. The cruise lines keep their security forces low key. If your friends are worried about the Smith case, give them the data about their safety on a ship vs in their hometown. Also get them the quote from the FBI agent who testified before Congress about personal safety on ships. If all that doesn't convince them, they should not go because they will not enjoy themsleves, worrying about their safety.

 

Cranky Poster Alert

[tommoore1]

I agree--VERY cranky poster! If I ever saw a bunch of people running around with Ozzies, I'd wonder where in the world all the Harriets had gone (not to mention David and Ricky)!

Woof, Snarl

[rjg41]

Cranky Poster Alert

 

 

Sorry, but maybe I'm having a bad day and yes I did see the things the OP said. I was talking about his friend. My point was of course there is security and it is responsive and effective as those who have seen altercations can attest and they can deal with even far more serious incidents. There is a brig on board all cruise ships, for those that may not know it. Because it is a vaction environment, you will not overtly see security till they're needed.

 

I am bothered by the sensationalism on TV on the Smith case by the likes of Nancy Grace, Scarbough, Rita Cosby, et al and of course a Senator whom I really use to admire, Christopher Shays, who is now playing to his rich contributors in Connecticut, where the Smith family lives. I am sure improvements can be made but those that suggest that the cruise lines are covering up, especially in the Smith case, is obsurd. This nonsense is what tends to prompt peoples' concerns like the OP's friend.

[jwlane]

If I ever saw a bunch of people running around with Ozzies,

We can only hope Harriet will be there, too.;)

[tommoore1]

After I posted that, I wondered if anyone would know what I was talking about...

--Tom

[jwlane]

if anyone would know

Are we showing our age?

[tommoore1]

Proudly!!!

[Nliedel]

They are there, mot assuradly, on every cruise. They are just not obtrusive. Even on the largest ships they don't have far to go to be at an emergancy.

 

Yea when I hear "Ozzie" I don't think Black Sabbath! I am getting old.

[Treven]

Of course the ones under 30 wouldn't have a clue. I'm sure they would immediately think of Black Sabbath as well.

[tommoore1]

Black WHO?!!

[39august]

My husband, who just retired recently from the security buisness, went to Guest Relations a couple of years ago on Brilliance and asked to speak to the Security Director, as he had concerns over a possible problem in the casino the previous night. About 3 hours later, he was invited to meet with the ship's Security Director in his office. After my husband explained his concern, they watched casino tapes from the previous night together and ascertained that the possible problem did not in fact exsist. There's lots of security on board. You just don't always know it!

[Pharley]

In my experience, seeing security often depends on the ports you are visiting and the cruise line. The more of a security risk a port is, the more you will see them - both on the ship and at the port. And I'm not talking about just terrorism risks but also drug smuggling. I sometimes see security roaming the casino.

 

In Turkey we found that security was so tight both on the ship and at port that I was amazed.

 

I've also noticed that since Sept 11th, the Coast Guard often boards the ships in Miami pre-embarkation and stays on board until the ship gets far enough away from the port. They hop off onto a Coast Guard ship once the ship is underway. Pre-Sept 11th was a compeltely different story - zero security anywhere. At the end of the cruise our last stop before disembarking in Tampa was New Orleans. There was no immigration/customs and we just walked right off...I looked at my husband and asked him what was to keep people from buying cuban cigars in Grand Cayman and shipping them home from New Orleans if there's no customs agents and also a good way to beat going over your duty allowances.

 

I've been told that one cruise line uses former Mossad agents to run their security department and another cruise line staffs their security personnel with former Ghurkas. Supposedly every cruise ship has a brig and at any given time there is at least one person jailed.

[PeterR717]

Of course the ones under 30 wouldn't have a clue. I'm sure they would immediately think of Black Sabbath as well.

Oh shush... I'm 25 and I knew exactly what you all were talking about! :) You're not that old. Of course if you start talking about gas being a quarter/ gallon...then you'll be showing your age! ;)

 

As for security, do they have a "brig" on board? I've been teasing my friend about drinking too much. I told him if he gets caught "drinking and walking" they might throw him in the brig! Don't think he bought it though.

[tommoore1]

Yup, they DO have brigs on the cruise ships!

By the way, I remember pulling up to the pump, and telling the attendant (who actually came out to the car!) to give me 50 cents worth of Ethel, and check the water, oil and tires, please--and you're right, I'm NOT that old (in my heart)!

PS: "SHUSH"?!!!

[PeterR717]

Yup, they DO have brigs on the cruise ships!

By the way, I remember pulling up to the pump, and telling the attendant (who actually came out to the car!) to give me 50 cents worth of Ethel, and check the water, oil and tires, please--and you're right, I'm NOT that old (in my heart)!

PS: "SHUSH"?!!!

 

:( No disrespect meant... Sorry if you took it that way I just meant I hope no one thinks that they're that old. I don't think I've seen one person on these boards I'd consider "old" by any definition or stretch of the imagination. You all seem like such great people.

 

...None of which I'd ever see in the brig!! :p (Back to the topic...no hijacking here!)

[SakeDad]

... but I was really suprised not to see any in the casino with all that money floating around.

 

Being from Vegas maybe I'm just used to there ALWAYS being an "eye in the sky". But even if someone WAS to take a few chips from a table exactly where would they GO with them? The security tapes would show who it was and unlike Vegas where you could be from anywhere, on a cruise ship you only have so many cabins to go to. And trust me, security KNOWS which cabin you are in when they see you taking a few extra chips away from the table! Yes, there is alot of money "floating" around but so are all the passengers including those that think they can take the house!