Travelers are unsure about visiting ports that have active travel advisories after reports surfaced of a sexual assault involving two Carnival Cruise Line passengers in the Bahamas.
The passengers, two women from Kentucky, claimed that while on the island of Grand Bahama, they were drugged and sexually assaulted. Two men were detained by Bahamas police last week on suspicion of the crime.
Since 2018, the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 advisory for the Bahamas, urging travelers to “exercise increased caution” due to criminal activity. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas recently issued a security alert highlighting recent murders in Nassau.
Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson’s attorney, Nicholas Gerson, stated to USA TODAY last week that his clients were unaware of any warnings provided by Carnival regarding the Bahamas.
A Carnival representative, Matt Lupoli, mentioned in an email that the shipboard team regularly provides safety guidance to guests while onshore. However, he did not address Gerson’s statements.
The Bahamas government pushes back stating the country is “safe”
On January 30, the Bahamian Tourism Board’s website issued an official statement from the prime minister’s office assuring visitors that the country is “alert, attentive, and proactive” and that the archipelago “remains a safe and welcoming destination.”
The office added that these incidents “do not reflect general safety in the Bahamas, a country of 16 tourism destinations, and many more islands,” referring to the 18 murders in Nassau since the year’s beginning that were detailed in the most recent crime alert for the Bahamas.
“Our law enforcement agencies are taking rigorous steps to maintain our well-earned reputation, including an enhanced police presence and additional police resources (including facial recognition CCTV surveillance technology) and training,” the statement reads.
How to stay safe in port on cruises
Before making a reservation, Carrie Pasquarello, CEO and co-founder of Global Secure Resources Inc., advises learning about the location. “Our goal is to ensure that our travelers are proactive, well-prepared, and aware of both level advisories and risk indicators,” she stated.
To obtain more context, reviewing warnings from nations like the United States, Canada, or Australia is also advised. “Since every country has a unique risk…
Read full article: Caribbean Travel Warnings Raise Safety Concerns Among Cruise Travelers
The post “Caribbean Travel Warnings Raise Safety Concerns Among Cruise Travelers” by Viktor Vincej was published on 02/17/2024 by www.travelinglifestyle.net