Cruise Diva's FOCUS
is on
Cruise Travel Safety & Security
Safety &
Security in Ports of Call
Getting away from
it all isn't supposed to mean getting into trouble. One advantage of
cruise travel is the safety aspect—there is very little crime on
board most ships.
|
Unaware
of local customs and dangers, tourists are attractive
targets for scam artists and petty thieves.
|
However, all too
often passengers are lulled into a false sense of security by the
cocoon-like atmosphere of their vessel. The port cities they
anticipate with such enthusiasm can sometimes be intimidating, if
not downright unfriendly, places.
Whether it's
hair-braiders in Jamaica or gypsies in Barcelona, your first line of
defense is preparedness. Knowing what to expect and how to deal with
it, not to mention using common sense, should save you a lot of
grief. Unaware of local customs and dangers, tourists are attractive
targets for scam artists and petty thieves. With their friendly and
trusting natures, Americans are particularly vulnerable. This is
especially true overseas where tourists' attention is riveted on the
sights they've come so far to see. Often they do not even notice the
stranger who brushed by them and, incidentally, just emptied their
pockets.
Fear of the unknown
shouldn't discourage anyone from traveling. It's that very unknown
that is most appealing. So, how can you accomplish both objectives
-- travel abroad and remain safe? Planning and awareness are
primary.
Some things to
consider:
- Make two copies
of your passport, driver's license, and credit cards before
leaving home. Leave one set of copies in a safe place on your
ship. If the ship's purser holds your passport (which is often
the case, to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports), carry
the passport copy ashore with you. Leave the other copies with a
friend or family member at home.
- Use an
under-the-clothing style money pouch. Waist packs and handbags
are prime targets for cut and run thieves (who cut the strap and
disappear into the crowd).
- Don't carry
valuables in your waist pack, but do thread the strap through
your belt loops.
- Carry a handbag
with a shoulder strap across your body and keep it in front of
you.
- The handsome
local offering to exchange your dollars at a better than market
rate is probably a hustler.
- Never leave your
camera or tote bag on a chair in a restaurant. Keep valuables on
your lap.
- Wearing
expensive jewelry and flashing a wad of money is an invitation
to pickpockets.
- Men should carry
wallets in their front pockets and divide their money, keeping a
little in each pocket. In fact, why carry a wallet in your
pocket at all if you don't have to? Far preferable is a wallet
that attaches to your belt and tucks inside your slacks.
- Don't use an ATM
in a dark or deserted area, particularly if there are obvious
loiterers nearby.
Dress to blend in,
not stand out. While my favorite pastel polo-style knit dresses were
comfortable for sight-seeing in the Mediterranean, they stood out
and identified me as an American woman in Europe. Subdued colors and
styles are preferable. Experienced travelers recommend clothing and
accessories by TravelSmith
Outfitters,
a catalog merchant specializing in garments with hidden pockets and
such items as waist packs with metal cable in the strap to
discourage cutting.
Safety is often
found in numbers, and it's never a good idea to venture into some
unfamiliar areas on your own. Evaluate your own comfort level
regarding shore excursions versus independent touring. If you do
your homework and educate yourself about your destination, it's
possible to explore your ports of call safely and with confidence.
Back
to Cruise Diva's FOCUS
on Safety & Security
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