She is having second thoughts after researching crime and assault statistics on cruise ships. It seems whenever a crime occurs, the cruise line easily covers it up and the perps get away with it.
Anyone have first hand accounts, or experiences with any of this?
The only on-ship assaults I'm aware of involved young women being invited to go to a crew member's quarters or other restricted area, or a couple of cases where it appears that the feeling of "love" wasn't mutual for a newlywed couple and the bride or groom mysteriously vanished over a railing at night when nobody was looking.
My wife and I have gone every year for the past 14 years or so, sometimes more than once a year, and have never felt even remotely threatened by anybody or anything, with the exception of Jamaica, which we will not return to.
The large cruise lines are astonishingly concerned with passenger well-being and I would not want to be a crew member accused of
anything. Small, old ships might be a different story. If you're on Carnival, Princess, Norweigian, Celebrity or any of the other big lines, the biggest danger you face will be a hangover from too many umbrella-drinks.
She also has a fear of the ship leaving without her. (I know book your excursion through the ship
The only way the ship will leave without you is if you don't believe the sign on the gangway that says "be back by <whatever>" time, however it's really unlikely unless you're
tremendously late. If the sign says "4PM", just be back by 4PM. It's not hard.
And even if you do get left behind, the ships don't stop anywhere that you couldn't get a nice hotel room, and then find a shuttle or flight to the next island, the next day. My wife and I joke about this all the time and wouldn't consider "being left behind" any more than an interesting adventure and a chance to check out some cool new restaurants. Just make sure you have your drivers licence and credit card when you leave the ship. I also keep a photocopy of my passport.
The world is a much different place depending on whether you're broke that day or not and have ID.
flots.