Crime in Nassau Bahamas?

MTSFP · #1 (**permalink**) December 1st, 2009, 07:45 PM

I am booked for a cruise in the near future that goes to Nassau - one of my fellow cruisers mentioned to be aware of the rash of robberies of cruise passengers that has happened recently in Nassau.

Does anyone have any information on this issue? My wife and I were thinking about walking to Cable Beach for the day, but, if robberies are a problem, I would certainly want to reconsider.

Thanks

MTSFP

Mike M · #2 (**permalink**) December 1st, 2009, 07:58 PM

Recently there has been some instances of crime on cruise passengers but I am not sure it is at "epidemic" proportions at this time.

Here is a link to a thread on the Royal Caribbean board that discusses a recent robbery of cruise ship passenger.

Royal Carribean and Disney Passengers Robbed at Gunpoint

Take care,
Mike

Trip · #3 (**permalink**) December 1st, 2009, 08:25 PM

here is another link to a thread on chit chat....

Be Careful in Nassau:(

S.S.Oceanlover · #4 (**permalink**) December 2nd, 2009, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTSFP

I am booked for a cruise in the near future that goes to Nassau - one of my fellow cruisers mentioned to be aware of the rash of robberies of cruise passengers that has happened recently in Nassau.

Does anyone have any information on this issue? My wife and I were thinking about walking to Cable Beach for the day, but, if robberies are a problem, I would certainly want to reconsider.

Thanks

MTSFP

Walking to Cable Beach is going to be quite a hike. Took us about 15 minutes to get there via the jitney.

It beautiful over there btw.

Bill

rosetattoo · #5 (**permalink**) December 2nd, 2009, 09:34 AM

I just read about the robberies on aol.com...Carnival, among other cruise lines, is cancelling some of their excursions due to an increase in armed robberies.

MTSFP · #6 (**permalink**) December 2nd, 2009, 10:23 AM

Thanks for all the info - I will have to re-think my Nassau plans.

ShotoJuku · #7 (**permalink**) December 2nd, 2009, 03:24 PM

Nassau Sucks - Stay Onboard.

ArtByCrawford · #8 (**permalink**) December 3rd, 2009, 02:11 PM

While we didn't see any outright physical crime against cruisers when we were in Nassau in early September, we were accosted several times by people looking to sell us any number of drugs. They were very persistent, wouldn't take "no" for an answer, and insisted on following us at length to make their sales pitches. This happened in several different places on the island--once in plain view of two policemen who turned a blind eye to the goings on. We wound up going back to the ship early because we were tired of being harrassed by the locals. Certainly if you feel you need to go to the beach then do it by local transportation and do not go off walking across the island on your own. Better to err on the side of caution.

Zack Adams · #9 (**permalink**) December 3rd, 2009, 09:19 PM

Just be always aware of your surroundings. Folks that are intent on robbing you or doing you harm will be watching you before they strike. If someone looks like they are watching you a little 'too much' then your spidey sense should be tingling. There is no shame in running from trouble...

Of course things in a foreign place can be harder to predict...

Carry a dummy wallet that has a few small bills in it and maybe some of those fake credit cards in it. If someone asks you for your wallet then throw it in one direction and run the other way if possible.

Don't be flashy. For me to blend in in the Bahama's (and most of the Carribean) it would be difficult, but try not to stand out from the usual tourists on holiday.

I try and blend in myself, but with a severe fetish for Digital SLR's, and camera gear I can sometimes draw my fair share of attention :o

Finally use the above at your own risk, they have worked for me in some 'sticky' situations, but you are not me so use your own judgement!

When we went to Cartagena, Columbia, I was worried about the ports safety, but with all the "Tourism Police" that surrounded the areas we visited I felt more like a visiting general than a criminals target :-)

MTSFP · #10 (**permalink**) December 4th, 2009, 06:32 PM

It looks like we are going to take one of the Atlantis tours with Carnival transportation to/from the ship - that should make things better.

Thanks again

JoeMo · #11 (**permalink**) December 5th, 2009, 03:09 AM

(The Telegraph): A series of armed attacks on cruise ship passengers in Nassau has raised fears about the safety of visitors to the Bahamas. Several Europeans were among a group of 18 tourists held up by two men wielding shotguns during a guided tour of an eco-park close to Nassau last weekend. Their local guide was tied up and a woman hit in the face with the butt of a gun as the robbers took money, cameras, mobile phones and passports from the passengers. Last month, in another daylight incident, 11 cruise passengers were robbed at gunpoint as they stood at the top of the Queen's Staircase, the city's landmark attraction.