attydallas3: "Staying Safe on the High Seas" - some prudent travel trips when on cruises , by a former CIA officer who has published several books and appeared on different T.V. shows re: personal safety.
Staying Safe on the High Seas
Elisha C. was a valued, ten-year employee of Princess Cruise Lines.
She had recently been promoted to the position of senior purser. This position handles all the financial matters on a cruise ship.
Pursers share information about the ship to both passengers and crewmembers and the Purser's Desk is typically centrally located in the ship for easy accessibility to passengers and crew.
The problem was, this position as purser gave Elisha the opportunity to line her own purse by stealing $400,000.
After the crime was discovered, Elisha was removed from the Princess Cruise ship upon $400,000 being found in her cabin.
The Australian citizen had access to more than $1.5 million in cash according to a criminal complaint.
She stole $400,000 in U.S. cash, $40 in Canadian cash, $4,660 in U.S. travelers checks and $9,700 in credit card payment slips.
She took the money from the ship's safe and stored it in a cardboard box in her cabin.
The investigation unfolded after senior crewmembers of the ship noticed the financial book numbers didn't add up, and began looking into where the funds had gone.
When arrested, Elisha’s passport was seized and given to U. S. Customs.
According to what the Elisha told investigators, over the course of several weeks she noticed the ship's computer records were not showing the correct totals of the cash that was actually on hand.
So, she took the extra money out of the safe to her cabin, stored it in a cardboard box, and placed it near the foot of her bed.
After her arrest, Elisha's lawyers negotiated with prosecutors, and she agreed to plead guilty, at a reduced charge, resulting in a four-month prison term.
She also agreed to be deported from the U.S. at the end of her four-month jail stint.
In 2017, U.S. federal authorities reported a total of 106 crimes, including 76 sexual assaults, 13 serious assaults, eight thefts of more than $10,000 and two kidnappings that occurred aboard cruise ships that were reported to U.S. authorities.
With that in mind, one of the issues when it comes to prosecuting criminals, is maritime law establishes that a ship is subject to the laws of the country whose flag it flies.
The problem is, for tax reasons and other legal advantages; few cruise ships are flagged with the countries of their homeport or even their corporate headquarters.
For instance, many popular cruise ships that originate from the U.S. are flagged in countries such as the Bahamas, Panama, Bermuda and the Netherlands.
My point is, if you are the victim of a crime aboard a cruise ship, not only is the crime itself horrific, but you will have difficulty getting justice depending on the legal system of the country that the ship is flagged to.
If you were the victim of a crime, would you rather have police in Bermuda investigate? Or have the full resources of the FBI to investigate and prosecute the criminal?
Since being a victim of a crime while at sea is much more stressful than your everyday pickpocket, I want to share with you a few safety tips for your next adventure on the seas.
Buddy system. I realize we aren’t in elementary school, but if you're a solo traveler, find a friend early on.
That way they can look out for you. You're also less likely to be a target when traveling in a pair than you are solo.
Don't advertise the fact you are traveling alone, and don't walk around solitary areas by yourself late at night.
Take your own alarm. If you've been on a cruise before, you probably noticed that not all cabin doors automatically close, so give them a pull when you leave and a push when you are inside to make sure they click shut.
Also, consider taking your own doorstopper alarm such as the one made by GE. When inside your cabin you can place this at your door in case someone tries to enter your cabin.
Be careful on the balcony. Of course, there is nothing like listening to the sound of the sea while you sleep, but for safety's sake, keep the balcony door locked at night.
In addition, check your balcony before you go to sleep, and don't leave the door open when you are not in your room, especially in port.
Contractors who clean while in port and do maintenance can easily gain access to your balcony.
Take care of your steward. Get to know your steward on day one.
Ask their name and establish a rapport.
With that being said, you want to tip them appropriately, but don't make it seem like you have a lot of cash on hand. The idea is they will hopefully notice if someone other than you is trying to get into your room.
Have a weapon. Before you get on the ship, you're thoroughly screened. However, when you're on the ship, the steak knife from dinner could easily come back with you to your room so you have a knife to protect yourself with.
Bottom line, cruise ships are one of the safest forms of travel and the vast majority of cruises pass without incident.
But, the fact is, on any vacation, it's worth taking basic precautions because there is no question that tourists are often the targets of criminals.
Staying Safe on the High Seas
Elisha C. was a valued, ten-year employee of Princess Cruise Lines.
She had recently been promoted to the position of senior purser. This position handles all the financial matters on a cruise ship.
Pursers share information about the ship to both passengers and crewmembers and the Purser's Desk is typically centrally located in the ship for easy accessibility to passengers and crew.
The problem was, this position as purser gave Elisha the opportunity to line her own purse by stealing $400,000.
After the crime was discovered, Elisha was removed from the Princess Cruise ship upon $400,000 being found in her cabin.
The Australian citizen had access to more than $1.5 million in cash according to a criminal complaint.
She stole $400,000 in U.S. cash, $40 in Canadian cash, $4,660 in U.S. travelers checks and $9,700 in credit card payment slips.
She took the money from the ship's safe and stored it in a cardboard box in her cabin.
The investigation unfolded after senior crewmembers of the ship noticed the financial book numbers didn't add up, and began looking into where the funds had gone.
When arrested, Elisha’s passport was seized and given to U. S. Customs.
According to what the Elisha told investigators, over the course of several weeks she noticed the ship's computer records were not showing the correct totals of the cash that was actually on hand.
So, she took the extra money out of the safe to her cabin, stored it in a cardboard box, and placed it near the foot of her bed.
After her arrest, Elisha's lawyers negotiated with prosecutors, and she agreed to plead guilty, at a reduced charge, resulting in a four-month prison term.
She also agreed to be deported from the U.S. at the end of her four-month jail stint.
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In 2017, U.S. federal authorities reported a total of 106 crimes, including 76 sexual assaults, 13 serious assaults, eight thefts of more than $10,000 and two kidnappings that occurred aboard cruise ships that were reported to U.S. authorities.
With that in mind, one of the issues when it comes to prosecuting criminals, is maritime law establishes that a ship is subject to the laws of the country whose flag it flies.
The problem is, for tax reasons and other legal advantages; few cruise ships are flagged with the countries of their homeport or even their corporate headquarters.
For instance, many popular cruise ships that originate from the U.S. are flagged in countries such as the Bahamas, Panama, Bermuda and the Netherlands.
My point is, if you are the victim of a crime aboard a cruise ship, not only is the crime itself horrific, but you will have difficulty getting justice depending on the legal system of the country that the ship is flagged to.
If you were the victim of a crime, would you rather have police in Bermuda investigate? Or have the full resources of the FBI to investigate and prosecute the criminal?
Since being a victim of a crime while at sea is much more stressful than your everyday pickpocket, I want to share with you a few safety tips for your next adventure on the seas.
Buddy system. I realize we aren’t in elementary school, but if you're a solo traveler, find a friend early on.
That way they can look out for you. You're also less likely to be a target when traveling in a pair than you are solo.
Don't advertise the fact you are traveling alone, and don't walk around solitary areas by yourself late at night.
Take your own alarm. If you've been on a cruise before, you probably noticed that not all cabin doors automatically close, so give them a pull when you leave and a push when you are inside to make sure they click shut.
Also, consider taking your own doorstopper alarm such as the one made by GE. When inside your cabin you can place this at your door in case someone tries to enter your cabin.
Be careful on the balcony. Of course, there is nothing like listening to the sound of the sea while you sleep, but for safety's sake, keep the balcony door locked at night.
In addition, check your balcony before you go to sleep, and don't leave the door open when you are not in your room, especially in port.
Contractors who clean while in port and do maintenance can easily gain access to your balcony.
Take care of your steward. Get to know your steward on day one.
Ask their name and establish a rapport.
With that being said, you want to tip them appropriately, but don't make it seem like you have a lot of cash on hand. The idea is they will hopefully notice if someone other than you is trying to get into your room.
Have a weapon. Before you get on the ship, you're thoroughly screened. However, when you're on the ship, the steak knife from dinner could easily come back with you to your room so you have a knife to protect yourself with.
Bottom line, cruise ships are one of the safest forms of travel and the vast majority of cruises pass without incident.
But, the fact is, on any vacation, it's worth taking basic precautions because there is no question that tourists are often the targets of criminals.
Stay Safe,
Jason Hanson
&:-) Paul