I was almost a victim of pickpocketing in Pisa this past fall. Thank goodness one of the tour guides that was headed out of the tower courtyard area as we were walking into it recognized them and once past started yelling "PICKPOCKET ALERT! 2 GIRLS AND THE GUY WITH THE RED UMBRELLA" AND THEN KEPT YELLING, PICKPOCKET SHAME ON YOU over and over. Everyone in both groups (ours and theirs) started the same and they peeled off quickly down a street and closed up their umbrella once they realized we had been alerted and they were recognized. So very grateful to that guide, she saved me as they were coming up behind us.
In many places, there’s one pick pocket very obvious…..while you are looking at him/her the one you didn’t notice just picked your pocket. That was common in NYC.
As a young female & mostly solo traveler I virtually always book the excursions with the cruise line. While of course something bad can happen anywhere and with anyone I’d rather take my chances with them, not to mention the convenience. I’d very much rather pay a bit extra and be overtly precautious.
If you were my daughter, sister, mother or wife I would think it well spent. And yes, even with a well vetted tour by the cruise line, something could still happen but life is a balance of managing risks.
Years ago friends, avid cruisers, were in Mexico. They were middle aged, slightly overweight, and well dressed. They took a cab to sight see. The cabbie drove them out to the middle of nowhere, robbed them, stole everything, jewelry, money, credit cards, passports too, and left them stranded. They managed to get back to the ship, but never got their stuff back. They were badly shaken.
A friend is a pilot with a major U.S. airline. In the 1990s and 2000s, it was common for flight crews to have overnight layovers in Mexican and other Central American cities. But, for more than 10 years, flights to Central America are now all turns, i.e., fly to the city, the turn and fly back to the U.S. hub airport. Management and the unions agree that it's no longer safe for pilots and flight attendants to have overnight stays.
@atcdude067 They still get overnight stays on islands in the Caribbean. Further one of the secrets of the hotel industry is that hotels booked for flight crews get some pretty steep discounts, because the owner/operator knows there will be X number of rooms booked every night, and crews tend to eat in hotel restaurants. When I was a practicing lawyer, I represented an airport hotel that was the crew hotel for the original Midway Airlines. The hotel was an upscale brand, and rooms were going for 60% off rack rates. From what friends of mine who work for airlines, it's not that much different today.
@@atcdude067 Sure, it is all about saving a night's motel in a 3rd world country. Have you thought about the extra crew they have to bring along to make the turn the same day? Crews can only fly so many hours in a day before they have to take a break. It isn't always about the money, except for poor, jealous people who don't understand how the world works.
@RH-cv1rg Flying from Houston, DFW, or Miami to Mexico or other Central American cities are not so far that crews can't do turns. My friend used to do overnight layovers in Mexico City from Chicago. Now, those flights are all one-day turns, with the pilots and F/As working both legs. Again, this is not about saving money. It's about safety. My wife used to work for a company with a large office in Sao Paulo. Every car service was in cahoots with gangs who robbed passengers. So, employees flying to Sao Paulo were given a second, old laptop, with no data, to give to the thieves, and they were told to have a second old or cheap wallet with a few dollars to hand over. This was back between 2000 and 2006.
I'm travel savvy but last time I was in Florence, an elderly lady fainted dead away right in our path. As soon as my husband and I bent down to see if we could help her up. A swarm of teens surrounded us and turned every pocket and tried to grab anything they could. The whole fainting bit was a scam. Until then I was wondering why locals merely stepped over the " poor little ladies."
Another ruse they use to distract you is to shove some kind of fake survey in your face. Just keep walking and don’t even talk to them except to say NO!
That is the biggest worry in Europe. Pickpocketing. Not physical violence or anything more. Just use a money belt or a pouch hanging inside your clothes. Hang on careflly to your phone and camera. Much of the US is far more dangerous.
My husband and I were on Cozumel Island Feb 2024 during Carnavale. Walked everywhere and felt safe, even at night walking home from the Carnavale parade.
I never remove any comments even the troll ones. Though the UA-cam system does automatically place some comments into a “for review” section automatically that they seem as offensive, spam etc. I check those every now and then and other than spam release
@@tipsfortravellers It should be noted that if you don't sort comments by newest, youtube will filter out some comments. It's weird, and I don't know why.
7.34 Regarding gang-related crime: “…If going to Belize as a cruise passenger, a lot of it hinges on which cruise line you are going with”. Yes, if going with Carnival, the gangs are scared and run away.
Once on a cruise to Chile I was "snatched" by a Peruvian flute band and held captive! Thank God I had gotten to know my cabin steward Alejandro VERY well onboard. He rescued me by trading me for a chicken and a Celine Dion CD. Bless you my little Filipino angel!
I know it's not funny,but a chicken and CD,Celine would be so proud,it's th chicken,it shows how desperate these poor folks are,good outcome,he was your angel,thanks
Great tips! A group of men tried to scam/rob me in Paris near the Eiffel Tower. I was rescued by two lovely plain clothes policemen. It could have got nasty because I realised what was happening and started to run! They saw and recognised the police and disappeared! Thank you for the video!
I’ve been overseas in the 80’s & 90’s . Most countries go after the tourists but just about all of them hate Americans. And today it’s probably a lot worse . France is the worst England is a close 2nd
30 years ago, my wife and I felt unsafe in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Our excursion stopped in a local marketplace. We and others on the tour returned to the bus early because of how uncomfortable it was.
We were in Jamaica 15 years ago on a cruise stop, same area, visiting dunns falls. I felt virtually accosted walking out by the vendors. Negative experience. Street vendors there are hyper aggressive.
My husband and I bought a bus ferry pass when we docked in Bermuda. We felt safe. Grand cayman we felt safe also but went by tour. The other places he mentioned including Rome we were very cautious. Saw very questionable people around the colosseum including the train station. Just because you are on vacation, other people are not. Protect your valuables and be aware.
I've been to Bermuda twice on cruises and always felt safe. I've been to Rome several times and the situation around the coliseum and Termini station has always been like that, unfortunately.
@@xr6ladExactly, also pickpocketers aren't gonna hurt you. Yes it might be a pain but it's not like they are gonna pull a weapon on you like they might in the US
Labadee Haiti is quite beautiful, but Haiti overall is definitely not safe right now. What's really sad is that by not stopping there, the folks who had jobs, now have no way to earn a living and so are really suffering. It's a terrible situation.
That is what happens when the government breaks down. Look at San Francisco. It used to be a vibrant, beautiful city. Now it is full of homeless parked on public sidewalks, using drugs and the gutters for their bathroom. Attractions are closing, shops have moved. I no longer go there and wouldn't book a cruise that stopped in San Francisco.
@RH-cv1rg you are generalizing, San Francisco is very clean, the enclaves of homelessness is in areas where there are services, people who are homeless gather in areas where the social workers, clinics, food distribution, are being given. This is the same for Miami, what happens is the areas are far apart in Miami, and due to the vegetation is easier to set up a tent and not be noticed. The crime rate in San Francisco is low, compared to other large cities, because of how many services they have to take care of those in need. Oakland has more of a homeless situation, but within the last year many encampments have been taken away, more mental health in those areas, along with safe areas for homeless families. Those areas are inner city. I have family throughout the areas and go for many walks, hikes, public transport, and never had a problem, petty theft of rental car break ins, absolutely. The schools are extremely safe. Large events can be attended without fear of a mass shooting. I just wanted to share that sometimes the places with a bad rap are a small fraction of an area. Safe travel.
The number of ladies I saw wearing flashy jewelry and carrying expensive hand bags on my last cruise was shocking to me. I wear no jewelry and carry a slash proof, lockable travel cross body bag which is far from pretty but very secure. Like someone else said, even knock off handbags or costume jewelry can make you a target.
In Rome, you look like a target, jewelry or not. With the right precautions, like a crossbody bag, I would still go to Rome, though. You have to be most careful in the subway and the most touristy areas.
Poor people living above thier means love to be flashy. I've never met somone with wealth who's priorities are showing others they actually have wealth.
Just got back from vacation in Jamaica. We stayed at an all inclusive hotel outside Montego Bay. We had arranged several trips while there, snorkeling, a tour to a rum distillery and tubing. We always had arranged for someone drive us to the activity and back. At no time did we feel unsafe. If we just went out wandering around by ourselves it may have been different.
That sounds awful! Not a vacation for me. I go in vacation to explore the country, not only by organised trips. Otherwise I could just stay in my own country.
@@katenl8976 We were only there for a couple of days and this was easier and let us do things we would have missed. Also first time in Jamaica so we didn't have to figure out public transportation. We were in Europe a few years ago and did the exact opposite and did our own thing as much as possible.
It’s up to you if you take notice. Gary is telling you the dangers. It’s not just pickpockets it’s mugging and murders. The foreign office only gives advice if it’s a dangerous place.
@@graceallen4102 There are light scary people too. And some places are worth visiting, even if there's risk - if you can take actions to lower the risk. I would not skip the Acropolis because the metro is dangerous ... I'd use a different form of transportation.
@@xr6lad I don't know how dangerous it is; I've never been on it. But Gary called it out as having a lot of pickpockets. Not that it really matters ... anyone who thinks any metro is 100% safe and completely lets their guard down is in danger. And that applies just as much to my home city's metro in the upper midwest, USA (not Chicago).
@@xr6ladI see the Australian government is warning about Malmö in Sweden, because of the risk of protests. Even places we used to think were safe seem not to be safe anymore.
Exactly. There was a shooting less than a mile a away from me in my generally safe Seattle suburb last night. I've been all throughout Mexico, Lebanon and other "unsafe" countries and have never been close to a shooting.
@@andredupreez5705 Well, that is true one should consider the difference in risk level when traveling to various countries. Your risk level in Tokyo and Singapore is infinitesimal compared to say Manila, Detroit ,Marseille or Belize City
The first rule for staying safe is use common sense. Haiti and Mexico are both high crime countries and probably worse than you may realize as most crimes in both go unreported. In either country I wouldn't go anywhere outside a high security port area. When I was in the navy many years ago, I learned some precautions that I continue to practice to the present day when traveling. I keep only a minimal amount of money in my wallet and no credit cards or ID. Wallets are what pick pockets generally go for. If you get mugged just toss your wallet in their general direction and run. Keep your ID and extra cash spread out over other pockets and hard to get places in your clothes. I used to keep a $20 bill in each of my shoes while on liberty, just in case. ($20 went a lot farther back then.) I never take more than one bank card with me and my passport always stays locked up in the hotel/cabin safe. A photocopy of my passport works for going out.
I have some fake movie money in a money clip to use as bait, if they got it they'll get arrested or beaten for trying to pass fake money. Be sure to throw the money to allow a quick open exit.
I have only been on one cruise many years ago, and the cruise line went over their sponsored excursions, cancelling one going to Tulum, Mexico, because a tour bus going to the site had been recently stopped by armed men who robbed everyone, and a rafting event in Jamaica because of a similar incident. I did "sting-ray-city" in the Cayman Islands, did the island tour at Cozumel and rode in a bus across the top of Jamaica to climb the waterfall at Ocho Rios. One of the selling points of the sponsored tours is that they would not leave you if you did not get back to the ship on time. I visited with a couple who did not do the sponsored tour and were late and missed getting on the ship at the Cayman Islands, chartered a private plane to fly ahead to Montego Bay, where they had to spend the night locked in a room at the airport till the cruise office was open the next day and could straighten things out. Their passports were with the ship.
I noticed a lot of my fellow passengers were advertising their tourist status by carrying a cruise line canvas bag or having their cruise card on a lanyard around their neck. One can't blame the city for not being alert and wise as a traveler.
True. But most of is stick out with dress/mannerisms/language and just in general hanging in the tourist area. Some of the ports only allow employees and travelers access.
I live in a port city. Believe me, none of that matters. They know who lives there and who doesn’t. Doesn’t matter what you have on. The targets are clear.
I once represented a pickpocket and he told me he always looks for the easiest targets. Jewelry, fancy watches and expensive clothes also make you a target. Also make it difficult to get to your wallet and travel documents. I usually carry the necessary documents in a cloth holster under my shirt and I usually wear a jacket on top of that.
Good video. Surprised to learn that Haiti is a cruise destination. In Venice at the end of March. Warm and uncrowded, it cried out to be visited in low-season.
I also gave you a shout out to the person in the stall next to me. Unfortunately, due to the significant flatulence noises emanating from them, they may not have heard me.
We just got back from a Western Caribbean cruise 2 weeks ago. Hubby & I decided that was a one & done itinerary for us. It’s nowhere near as beautiful as the Eastern & Southern Caribbean ports, plus, we only ventured out in Roatán & Belize because we purchased excursions through Princess. We felt safe on those, but wouldn’t have gone exploring on our own like we did in St. Maarten or Antigua.
@@Joanv314 no, I’m saying that we did feel safe getting off the ship & exploring St. Maarten & Antigua when we were there. We didn’t feel safe doing that in the ports on our Western itinerary, mainly because two of them were in Mexico. My brother in law is of Mexican descent (his parents were born there), but he’s also in law enforcement, and he says there is NO way he would go there. He knows too much about how the cartels operate there…
We treat Ocho Rios as a sea day. Funny, the ship was empty until about noon and they all came running back to the ship when they saw the neighborhood. No issues with pier runners at that stop!
As someone with 19 land-based trips to Jamaica under my belt (including 2 at all-inclusives in Ocho Rios) everyone knew to stay away from downtown on cruise ship day. But even when the ships are not in port, the craft market in Ocho Rios can be highly stressful if you aren't prepared for it. The sales tactics are like a sledgehammer and everyone has the same stuff. Remember -- these are people who are just trying to earn a living and this is how they do it, and they're all competing for the same people. Another thing: while in Jamaica, tip EVERYONE. If a guy points you to where the rest room is, tip him. No joke. Not that it's threatening, but it's expected. Honestly? A cruise ship is NOT how to see Jamaica. Book a hotel, get to know your hotel staff and you'll make new friends -- and learn something too.
Thanks for the information. I am traveling to Europe next year, so the warning is appreciated. I am sorry to hear about Cozumel. I haven’t been there since 2018, and it was wonderful then. When I am in areas that might have pickpockets, I take extra precautions. All the zippers on my cross-body purse can be secured. And that purse has wires woven in the body and straps, so it can’t be cut easily. I keep most of my money and cards in a belt pouch. And I keep my passport in a pocketed scarf around my neck. I know this won’t help with a violent theft, but it does deter pickpockets.
I have conflicting feeling about port call on Labadee, on one hand it is indeed in an extreme dangerous country, all it take is one particularly aggressive gang to overrun the security. On the other hand, that means local Haitian lost one of the last safe job in a relatively secured location.
This is exactly what I tell people when they wince at some of our destinations in Mexico. Dude, we visit New Orleans every year, and our last domestic trip was to Philadelphia. Everyone is wonderful and welcoming. Don’t look for trouble and you likely won’t find it.
Knowing pick pockets were a problem in Italy before I went last year, I bought a bag for carrying my wallet, phone, etc that had all zipper closures. I never let it out of my sight either when I sat down. Had no problems and an amazing time in Italy.
Where I live, in a port city in SE Asia, everyone carries sling bags, and carry absolutely nothing in their pockets. What freedom! It's easy to spot the difference between natives and tourists, because tourists don't have them. It's the first thing I look for. Sling bags can be protected by both hands. My 7 year old wallet still looks brand new, because it has never been in a pocket.
I live in the very touristy Gatlinburg TN, right outside the Great Smoky Mountains NP. Pickpocketing and car theft are rampant here. It is to be expected in tourist areas.
For pickpocket defense I like the Clothing Arts (online) brand, with multiple security features, plus they're comfortable for travel. And no, I don't work for them, I just like them. I have two of their pants and one shirt, and am thinking of getting shorts.
Seriously though. Last week I had a friend witness a broad daylight shooting from his Capitol Hill apartment and one of my coworkers got mugged on the way to work. I live in Washington DC. Be safe, be smart, be alert.
It’s a shame to have ports of call where the safER option is stay on board or stay within the secure port area filled with less than authentic cultural experience. That is a failed destination/port in my opinion. Not what I paid for or wanted. It’s a disappointment
Right. I think the generic sandy beach, palm trees and tshirt shops aren't what I'm looking for when I travel to another country. I want to see their nature, cultural restaurants, local-made items, art, and historical areas. (to each their own) But I don't need to take a cruise to see beaches and gift shops, since I can see those in many southern USA coasts within a few hours drive.
I haven’t booked Caribbean cruises for the ports in decades. I book for the weather. Much more pleasant than Canada in the winter. When I was healthy enough to scuba dive I would get off at Cayman and Cozumel for two tank dives, then back on the ship. Another was Saint Martin where we have a favorite restaurant for lunch. Other than that, I enjoy the balcony and having the ship to myself.
At least for Europe, that's alarmist advice. Just keep your cards and money in a travel pouch hanging inside your clothes. I've spent total of 2 months or more travelling in Europe, usually as a solo traveller, with several days in each of Istanbul, Barcelona (two visits, 1 failed pickpocketing-I caught the guy and got my wallet back); madrid, Valencia, Vienna, Paris (lost cash but not cards in my only pickpocketing experience), London (8 times), Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat. In 1994, travelled mostly solo in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. 1988, 5 weeks in Greece (scammed once-my own fault). I always took local transport and went to tourist attractions, always careful, and wandered in markets, ate in local restaurants.
@@granthurlburt4062 It's not just pickpocketing and theft - it's some ports where kidnappings, rapes, and violence have been significant enough to raise a red flag. And remember that these tourist-income places are reluctant to report all their anti-tourist crime, so the stats you see are just the tip of the iceberg. (For example, I used to work at the Key West Chamber of Commerce, and news was definately filtered and suppressed.)
Pickpockets are common in most crowded places and particularly on public transport and at tourist attractions. Just be a bit extra vigilant and don’t flaunt any wealth and it’s fine in Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Paris, London and Western Europe generally etc. Additionally, if going out at night, don’t wander down dark alleyways on your own. Just common sense. Also remember that if you are elderly, as many cruise passengers are, you may be perceived as an easier target than more middle aged people so just take a bit of extra care.
Quite right. I travelled on public transport in London and other parts of England, Paris (5 days), Vienna (6 days), Berlin (4 days), Barcelona (2 separate occasions, stayed several days each time), Istanbul (1 week, local transport daily), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Madrid (1 night), Bordeaux in the past 10 years. Cleverly pickpocketed on the Paris Metro.They took my cash & I got my wallet with credit cards back. Kept my wallet inside my pants after a 2nd failed pickpocketing in Barcelona (I caught the guy). No problems or threats otherwise. 20 yrs ago, a week in Athens (no problems), couple of days in Iraklion. 2 weeks travelling up and down the Nile-trains and buses and local transport in Aswan, and Luxor & a week in Cairo (took subway several times, and also taxis). I've never been on a cruise
My opinion is that it doesn't matter where you go, you need to be careful. But three things I learned from living in a city with crime... Don't flaunt wealth... Any wealth.. The Kate Spade purse may look super cute but they are more likely to steal that than my $40 purse. Have a plan. I've seen confused people in completely safe ports get targeted and ripped off by locals who 'want to help'. An extra one is don't pull your whole wallet out to buy something. When you do this, you put it's contents on display. Have a little purse with maybe a card and a few bills and pull that out instead. If you absolutely have to then put it away immediately. Most people step away from the cash register and then put it away... Don't do that.. You just created an opportunity. And opportunities are what people need to commit crimes.
I stayed at a resort in Montego Bay back in 2014 we stayed on the resort most of the time and only went out with trips booked through the resort. We were right by the cruise ship port had a lovely view from our balcony.
I live in the USA, grew up in New York City, and me and my family have visited Rome every few years for decades. We’ve also been to Florence and Venice several times. And we do lots of touristy stuff even though we’ve done it before. NONE of us have ever been pickpocketed (although once when I was a kid a bunch of other kids did try, one distracted me with a fake survey). You need to be street smart, not carry valuables you don’t need, and secure the ones you do have. Then don’t worry about it and have fun.
I was in Rome and Venice in 2023 and Athens in 2024 and had a great time in all three. I had a secure cross body travel bag that I always kept in front of me (with my hands securely on the bag when in a crowded area). You can easily protect yourself so please don’t avoid those 3 great cities because you fear being pick-pocketed. They are amazing cities.
People think the RCI area in Haiti is miles from anywhere. It isn’t, Labadee is only a few miles from a major city with cathedral, and a road runs straight from the city to the Labadee beach area, just a few miles away. I think though the video is a little alarmist. Cozumel is pretty safe really. As is Nassau and the European resorts. If a shooting of some local/ gang member stops you going, you wouldn’t go to any U.S. city.
I’ve lived in the US for 30 years in the largest cities and never seen a shooting or gang activity. I can’t say the same for a time period measured in DAYS while traveling abroad.
People always make claims like this but in 30+ years out of the 1,000+ of people I know, nobody has been pick picked in the US. In the few days I spend in Europe I manage to meet people who were pickpocketed in the few days I spent in Europe. The difference is just astronomical but clowns want to say “it’s the same everywhere”.
I long ago decided not to get off the ship in Jamaica or Nassau. My daughter lived on Roatan for a year. Highly dangerous. Also a stay on the ship. My daughter renamed Coxswain Hole to Toxin Hole. When I went to the bank you enter a lobby where an armed guard, armed with an M16, requires you to check your gun before they let you into the bank.
Yeah, the bank security! We were in Punta Arenas just a few weeks ago and wife and I went to a bank near the port to break a $100 bill; I was allowed in by the armed guard while wife wasn't and she waited in the sweltering heat outside. They did a metal scan on me as well checked my carryon. That's Costa Rica--one of the supposedly safest and prosperous countries south of the border. Also, there was widespread poverty and broken infrastructure right around the port. PS. The bank was one of the VERY few places with AC to escape the heat/humidity.
@@meengla We loved Costa Rica when there but that was 20 years ago. We felt perfectly safe there. Traveled all over. It has a good economy with a highly literate population. It’s only had one military coup attempt in 1946, it failed and they banned the army. We were in Guanacaste, the northwestern province. Beautiful weather, beautiful people. I hope it hasn’t changed. The source of crime then was from Nicaragua. We also experienced their universal healthcare system. My wife split her elbow and need a couple of stitches. They were free! But they recommended a tetanus shot and profusely apologized for the $10 fee!
@@barryhaley7430 I am sure your experience was great. Costa Rica has been constantly sold as a bright spot south of the border. What I narrated was our very limited exposure to the port area of Punta Arenas. Maybe busy cruise ports attract some 'attention'. Looking at the people around the port, it was easy to see a lot of poverty and there was a general sense of being in an unsafe place. I gave you the bank example.
@@barryhaley7430 Oh, no worries. I understood you fine. We had different experiences and in different eras. I think Costa Rica is probably still a rare 'bright spot' south of the border and I shouldn't let the Punta Arena port area experience cloud my judgments. Thank you for a civil discourse!
I remember going to Nassau in the 80s and as long as you stayed in the city proper, you were as safe as any good city in the US and a lot better than many in the US. In fact, most people were very friendly, and the local community would not tolerate crime against the tourists since that’s how they made their living. In Mexico and Central America, it’s a similar story. Being from Texas we used to go to Mexico to party and have a good time often. Other than the usual tourist scams, it was very safe. Again, they knew where the money came from. Now days, I’m not going to Mexico without a Seal Team for protection. As for Europe, the only place I got pick pocketed was in Paris on the Metro. I didn’t really care, all they got was a wallet with scrap paper in it. My real wallet and credit cards were under a couple layers of clothes. They’d have had to undress me to get to those. Give them an easy wallet and they don’t go looking.
We never felt unsafe when we visited Belize City. Of course we didn’t wander around on our own, we took a cruise ship sponsored excursion to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai (highly recommended). As far as Jamaica, we didn’t go far into Ocho Rios as we didn’t feel very safe. Nassau can be dangerous, but we never had any issues. We have always loved Cozumel. We typically take a ferry to the mainland, but may not be doing that anymore due to all the issues in Mexico.
I’d like to go to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao the Southern Carribean. Not sure I’m meant to cruise. I work grocery retail and meet too many people every workday.
I wonder what rating the State Department would give cities like Chicago, NYC, and SF to name a few. Many of the Caribbean islands are not safe nor desirable. I usually stay on the ship. The ship tours include a lot of wasted time and there is not much to see. The best is Saint Bart's. Grenada, St. Thomas, St. Lucia and many others are dicey. Pickpockets all over. A woman passenger had her wallet stolen in Rhodes. I've witnessed one in the Paris Metro.
@@elisaastorino2881 Yes, I know. I just was suprised, thinking of the low odds of this happening, seeing an actor I had worked with. It was really fun, considering he might still be based in Ukraine and the war is still going on.
I remember, as a child, having holidays in Russell New Zealand where once every other week a c Luise ship carrying Americans would arrive. This was the 70s. All shops doubled their prices but had store window painters "paint half off sale" on the doubled prices every day that the cruise ship was there. So New Zealand.
Before panicking about State Department Level 2 Travel Advisories, take a look at the world in general according to those same advisories. For example, most of Western Europe is under a Level 2 advisory (Increased Caution), as opposed to most of Eastern Europe which is under a Level 1 advisory. The State Department does not give contextual information about those advisories. Just how dangerous is the United States? Is it more dangerous to stay home than to travel to the United Kingdom (Level 2)? You can't tell from the State Department Travel Advisories. Personally, I'm avoiding Level 4 countries and mainly limiting myself to tours in Level 3 countries. But if I'm willing to go on my own in the United States, I'll explore on my own in Level 1 and Level 2 countries.
If you want to ignore the warnings, that's your problem. And I've heard a lot of people like you going on about the safety here at home, usually adding how the US has no business issuing warnings about other countries. Any government, not just ours, has a duty to help its citizens abroad. It's as simple as that and has nothing to do with the situation at home, good or bad.
@@elisaastorino2881I think he’s just saying to be as careful as you are in the USA. No more, no less. Frankly, I watch my purse in my neighborhood. It’s safe, but let’s not be stupid.
The answer to your question is that most American cities are far more dangerous than London and the big cities in the UK. The main danger to tourists is pickpocketing and mobile phone theft.
Thank you for talking about this. When I go ashore I lower the risk of being pick-pocketed, as a man, by wearing pants that make it hard for them to target you. If they see that it would be difficult to pick-pocket you, they will look for an easier victim. Also, I do not take anything in my wallet (or person) I don't think I'll need when going ashore. People need to use common sense when cruising. I call it applying CLR (no, not the cleaner, lol) Common Sense, Logic & Reason. Have you done a video about things to do to lesson your chances of being pick-pocketed and harmed? Happy Cruising!
I lived in Kingston Jamaica in 1980 & 81, married a Jamaican girl, and have regularly traveled to Jamaica for the last 44 years. Practice common sense WHEREVER you go and you’ll be no more in danger in Jamaica than you would be anywhere. Given there was a murder near my Jacksonville Florida home just last week, the concept of “safety” everywhere is a bit ridiculous. Live your life in a padded room if that’s what you want.
Why does all cruise lines go to the same ports? And if there are millions of visitors to the ports and the people who lives there are not benefiting from it you can of course expect problems. Barcelona and Venice haw problem with over crowded and people who work there cant find somewhere to live.I think there have too be a discussion abaut how much tourism a place can sustain so it will be a win win for both parties 😊
I wasn't pickpocketed in Rome, Barcelona or Athens but I agree it's best to be aware that it can happen. In Barcelona one guy touched my backpack at a train station but I jumped out of the way and kept walking. I wasn't going to entertain any requests from someone for asking directions or chit chat from total strangers in a train station.
In 2023 my wife and I went to Jamaica, and hired a car and drove all around the island, including staying in a bed and breakfast in Kingston. We had a great time, and as we were on our own, we relied a lot on locals to help us find things. We did not feel the least bit unsafe. Yes I am sure there is violence, but so there is in UK. It is up to the individual, but I’m not going to limit my visits to interesting places.
@@lngvly22a place where people carry guns safe? I dont understand this reasoning. In some european cities you might get pickpocketed, but at least usually not confronted with armed people
This comment sounds like it's from someone who doesn't live near or visit big cities often, LOLz. We just had a lovely trip to NYC, had multiple good trips to LA and SF. Whatever your complaint is, your issue is just with big cities no matter the country.
In March 2024, before my sister-in-law had disembarked from the bus that had taken her from the airport in Rome to the cruise ship port, her luggage was stolen as soon as the bus driver unloaded it. First day of a 20-day cruise. What a nightmare! Thieves are everywhere.
We were in the ABC islands last week. Curaçao said their crime rate was almost nil. On the bus tour, all the nice, beautiful homes had significant rolled barbed wire on their walls around their property. That’s usually a sign there is serious crime.
I hope these ports (especially those in the Caribbean) become safer again. It was before my time but I understand that even Port Au Prince was once a common cruise port of call! It would be a shame if Caribbean cruises just become shuttles between cruise line private islands.
Interesting observation. Insult to injury, these impoverished nations probably don't get much of an economic boost from the private islands compared to ports where passengers move about the city. The poor get poorer.
We were always careful in the Bahamas and in Grenada, you have to use common sense wherever you go, don’t wander into unsafe areas. Holds true in the U.S. as well as in the rest of the world.
We were in Rome, Athens, Olympia etc last year and we were fine. Just exercise caution keep the bare minimum of things with you. Use a pouch to keep them in so they are not visible.
How are you supposed to know if you’re in what’s unsafe area or not? For example when I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Rotan, Honduras, it seemed like a distressed area even in the port.
Our friends lived on their boat for four years in the Florida Bahamas area they often remarked how the Bahamas has a sinister underbelly where crime is covered up to protect that exotic location identity they treasure so much.
Similar to comments by Verpal on this thread, in addition to the loss of crucial income for locals at manufactured on- land fenced off port stops like Labadee in Haiti; a big part the very reason for travel for many is to experience local cultures in their own environment. While I wholly concur with pragmatics and safety first, it will be a huge shame for many reasons if the Carribean becomes just a series of on-land sterilised extensions of the cruise ship, which was my experience of Labadee.
After our last cruise to the Mexican Riviera we decided that would be our last trip to Mexico by cruise or all inclusive trip. I'm very disappointed about the Italian and Athens situation. We were in pre Covid Rome for our pre cruise stay and never felt vulnerable staying in any of the tourist areas. What a shame. We want to go back.
Thanks Gary. As usual great advice. We went to Cozumel & Honduras at New Year and someone was shot - not from our cruise but a cruise passenger I think in Roatan. In those countries is well worth paying the extra to book a planned excursion either with the cruise company or with a reputable company.
We got back not long ago from a week in Roatan, went all over and never felt unsafe. Wonderful preople and amazing place. People need to use common sense and realize bad things are everywhere and you can't spend your life hiding under your bed😊
I was pickpocketed in Bilbao, Spain a couple of weeks ago during an excursion in the old town. My phone was taken but it was then returned a moment later by locals who saw what happened. So, I got lucky. Someone on the cruise told me eleven people had their phones taken away few weeks earlier in, I think, Amsterdam, sometimes while taken a photo.
The world is a dangerous place. You should always be aware and only take what you need when you are out and about. Also if you are that scared stay home. You will have more control over your surroundings and much less risk. Travel and experiencing new things involves risk.
All these cruise lines have to do is threaten those countries with not stopping there if they don't make those places more secure. Cruise ships stopping in those countries are a huge part of the local economy. Example; say the Bahamas, if the cruise lines tell the government we will no longer come here watch how fast the authorities get rid of the riff raff in that area. The fact of the matter is the cruise lines are doing the minimum on this matter. All they do is say take a cruise line approved excursion of which they get a cut of the money. But, as long as people keep taking cruises the cruise lines have no incentive to do anything else. Again, all they have to do is threaten those countries with no business and watch how fast they clean up those areas.
On a Dec 2022/Jan 2023 MIA to LAX Christmas & New Years Panama Canal sailing, we stopped for New Years Eve in Acapulco. What an armpit that once-icon of North American retreats for the stars & starlettes has become! I'd been there in 1970 with my parents, and recall that glimpse of its former glory when I was 16 staying along the beach in what was then one of Holiday Inn's few stabs at upscale hotels, reveling in the neighborhood shops & hotel overlook where we enjoyed an evening meal regaled by the feats of the Cliff Divers. While the link is dated 22 Aug 2023, I'm wondering more specifically if that specific date was when the US State Dept ascribed "Do Not Travel" status for Guerrero State (Acapulco/Taxco)? On 31 Dec 2022, we were accompanied by Tourist Police everywhere our bus took us . . . and the neighborhood around the hotel which overlooked the Cliff Divers' brave displays was where I felt most in unsafe (even with the armed tourist police) vs. anywhere else I've recently traveled - it was filthy, a stench of sewage permeated the air in places, and public garbage cans overflowed into piles on the sidewalk/street containing more refuse than the cans themselves held. If it wasn't in place when we were there on 31 Dec 2022, the "Do Not Travel" status for Guerrero State should have been added shortly after our visit. As it stands, the current verbiage follows, below - if the US Gov employees are so-cautioned, it should stand to reason that Joe or Jane Tourist should really avoid this area, and I'm surprised they even ascribe any inferred safety in this verbiage to the "tourist areas": Guerrero state - Do Not Travel Do not travel due to crime. Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years. Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following area with the noted restrictions: Taxco: U.S. government employees must use Federal Highway 95D, which passes through Cuernavaca, Morelos, and stay within downtown tourist areas of Taxco. Employees may visit Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park during the day with a licensed tour operator. U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Ixtapa.
Funnily enough I also visited Acapulco in the seventies when it was a safe and luxurious resort. Sadly today it has been taken over by one of Mexico's many warring drug cartels and is a very dangerous place.
I'm surprised you didn't mention Money belts under your clothes. I have traveled to a lot of places in Europe and had nothing taken as nothing is out in the open. I wear a small cross body bag too. My boyfriend had a hand in his pocket in Paris by the Eiffle tower but he had pockets with zippers. most of his stuff except a few euros was in his money belt anyway.
Just got back from an RC cruise that stopped in Ensenada. Not a great port. The shop people in town are very aggressive and you will be approached every few minutes from someone begging for money for an operation. Catalina made up for it though.
Millions of people visit Mexico every year. Those guys were off the beaten track. I'm sad it happened but it more rare than being killed by a lightning strike.
On our Mediterranean cruise bad weather cause us to make an unscheduled stop at Genoa. With no excursions booked we just walked and wandered the city and took the funicular to the high city. The people and shops were friendly and we never felt unsafe. It wasn't crowded. It was very interesting. Hint: don't ask for Genoa salami.
My sister and I went to Barcelona, Florence, Rome and Venice last summer. We didn’t have any problems with pick pocketers at all. It might have been because we dumped everything in our hotel room after a couple hours shopping/exploring
Pickpockets is all over the world not only in the Caribbean. I have been to France and Italy and I heard the tour guide speaking to some people in her language after they left she told us they are pickpockets.
That’s is not, when we talking about the world which should not just mean US, Europe, Caribbean, or Mediterranean. Some Asian countries like Singapore, Japan is ridiculously safe, New Zealand is also very safe.
I really like your tips and know you do cover some excursion highlights where relevant, I’d be interested to see you do some reviews of ports of call to help people decide their itinerary rather than the ship or region. 😊👍
Last time on Falmouth we went on an excursion through DCL. The bus home they pulled us into a 'rest stop' to try and swindle us. Only one guy and his kid got off the bus.
Last couple cruises I hit Belize, Guatemala, and Jamaica. Guatemala they made announcements every 5 minutes about not self-exploring, not going anywhere alone, etc. Of course one of our group had to do the manly man thing and wandered off with a random group he found. He said they walked into a bar and noticed every single guy in the bar had a pistol on his belt. And as they were walking another path a local lady came running out of her house and screamed at them "NONONO GRINGOS! NO! Don't walk that way. Bad men are waiting for you. Very bad men. Turn around!" They did turn around. On the official excursion the rest of us took to a national park, there were several police with automatic weapons and they were adamant that nobody ever leave the group. Naturally one of our party (150 pounds overweight) decided about 20 minutes in she couldn't handle the hill and insisted she had to stop. The poor teenage guide was beside himself. "You can't stop--you have to come with us" "I can't--I'll just walk back down the way we came" "NOOOOO! YOU CANNOT DO THAT". One of the guys in our group said "I'll go with her" and the kid was still freaking and got on the radio. Those two disappeared with the tour guide looking kinda green, but we learned that when the guide radioed home base a couple cops walked up the path to meet them. Clearly they were taking tourist safety to heart. But shortly after, Norwegian quit going there. Belize there were just a lot of police with submachine guns hanging out in pairs. We opted to not leave the area and didn't do any of the excursions. Jamaica didn't feel unsafe, but I was harassed repeatedly by a cop who was very unhappy that a middle-age guy was walking alone. He literally followed me around insisting he would be arresting me the instant he saw me talking to a lone girl or any group of locals not in a trinket stall. Forget reasonable suspicion or probable cause. The third time he reminded me he was watching me I decided they CLEARLY didn't want my $$$ so I just walked back to the ship. (Other members of my group had opted to go do some floofy excursion that sounded terrible to me, so I was just going to wander...instead I hung out on the ship.)
I did a cruise ship walking tour of Nassau and nothing happened to me. Our guide was amazing, she warned us about potholes, sidewalks that disappear, obstacles, etc. Also showed us amazing sights.
@@jnew5274 It's crazy how close-minded cruisers can be. I see so many cruisers saying that Nassau and Freeport are "stay on the ship" ports. Where's their sense of adventure? I saw an amazing jungle walk with an incredible statue, a huge lighthouse, a governor's mansion, etc. I paid $40 and got entertained for 90 minutes.
@@blucolife I've heard people ask questions like do the people on these islands live in thatch houses? 🤦 I've heard that the only in Freeport is what you see at the harbour. It's based on what they are looking to do and are still closed minded about the effects that category 5 Dorian and then C-VID played. Still a long ways to go, in catching up, but it looks way better than it did back then. Take a tour with Mr Forbes who has a charter company.
@@jnew5274 The Bahamas has problems, but it's not Ethiopia or Somalia. People do have running water, flushing toilets, cars, Internet, etc. Nassau was gorgeous, I loved those colorful houses. The streets were a little trashy, but you know what? So is my local Home Depot. American customers throw garbage all over the place, they have no respect for private property.
I took my first cruise in June 1969 and have been an avid cruiser since then. The world has changed, and now I spend most port days on the ship. On my last cruise, I never left the ship and had a lovely time reading and exploring. I like being on a big ship when all the passengers are out and about. I'm 76 now and still active.
We are taking the Mediterranean cruise from msc in August / September. We don’t get off in Barcelona but we do get of in Rome on a group tour. I always have a bag with me that’s in front of my body and I can hold
Nassau has a history as a Pirate Port, and that history has not faded. My father and I nearly got mugged at Nassau but we managed to avoid it and escape to our ship. Subsequently, that was the LAST time we got off at Nassau. Nowadays, when we cruise, the ship itself is our destination. Port days are quite nice for those who stay aboard as you get the whole ship largely to yourself as more than half of the passengers get off. Private Islands are safe though.
Found Roatan very safe when we went with RCCI and went to explore on our own. Sad about Labadee and I’ve know even before all the unrest once it got on the UK “do not travel list”most insurers voided policies. Knew of one chap who’s policy was void from leaving the UK to returning as the ship was docking in Labadee. As the stop in Haiti was planned, many UK insurance companies voided policies for the whole holiday even if you stayed on board. I’ve cruised all over the place and the few times in the Caribbean I’ve felt a little uncomfortable I’ve just kept to the main drag and headed back to the port area. Wherever I travel, some areas of the UK I work, especially London, are just a dangerous as cruise destination.
Gary I have to say this has discouraged me from travelling in the north Caribbean. Pickpockets are one thing, gangs are another. We do go to Cancun area every year but stay within the resort mostly and have never had an issue even when we venture into town.
I've heard how bad Jamaica can be, but I've been to Cozumel 4 times and never really had any issues but I never veered away from a cruise sanctioned excursion or the port. It's sad that the Bahamas are on this list too.
Falmouth and Ocho Rios are fine for Jamaica and the port is right at the town so it’s an easy walk back to the ship whenever you’re ready to go but the Montego Bay port is not an easy walk to town (it’s a taxi ride away) and the town is sketchy so skip that one!
Well here’s an interesting first hand experience in Rome. My wife and I hop into a taxi. She jumps into the back seat to find an high end camera left behind. We know it’s high end because my wife was a professional photographer. The driver says OMG, I remember where I dropped those people off. Do you mind if we go there first? We, of course, say sure. He takes off like a bat out of hell as Rome taxi drivers do and we arrive at a hotel and he runs in to the hotel and finds the previous passengers who are totally grateful. He refuses a tip. Then drives back to the stand where we jumped in and turns on the meter before driving us to our destination. There are still some good people!
So very thankful you are a wise wise traveler. The poverty in the island has got ton even worse! When I traveled to the islands 50 yrs ago it was a lovely place to visit. Never ever put a toe off the ship in Jamaica ,Hattie , The Bahamas, Saint Croix. Actually DONT GO,! If the citizens don’t get you the Sharks will. Anywhere in Mexico, anywhere!.,., the poverty is so horrible, don’t risk it.. Just don’t go ! Stay safe!
I’m a single white Irish girl and I’ve been to Jamaica 5 times and 3 of them were alone! I felt perfectly safe but you don’t flaunt anything and always keep you wits and remain vigilant.
we go to Jamaica every winter for several weeks. It's not a place I would cruise to, mainly because there's not much to see there except the tourist trap places and parks. Like all islands, exploring on your own can be dangerous. We never had any problems
The feeling in the air changes dramatically beyond the gates of the confines of the port in Falmouth Jamaica. That definitely should get a mention in here, especially as Falmouth is becoming more increasingly used due to damage to the port in Ocho Rios.
We docked at some strange area of Ocho Rios,me being a big guy walked until I found a local restaurant and souvenir shop, where I was asked for money and vaguely threatened but then headed back to the ship.
I was almost a victim of pickpocketing in Pisa this past fall. Thank goodness one of the tour guides that was headed out of the tower courtyard area as we were walking into it recognized them and once past started yelling "PICKPOCKET ALERT! 2 GIRLS AND THE GUY WITH THE RED UMBRELLA" AND THEN KEPT YELLING, PICKPOCKET SHAME ON YOU over and over. Everyone in both groups (ours and theirs) started the same and they peeled off quickly down a street and closed up their umbrella once they realized we had been alerted and they were recognized. So very grateful to that guide, she saved me as they were coming up behind us.
Very nice! As it should be.
In many places, there’s one pick pocket very obvious…..while you are looking at him/her the one you didn’t notice just picked your pocket. That was common in NYC.
and th gypsy children than mob u whle th adult is cleaning out your pockets,Milan
And don't check for your valuables when you hear the warning. That shows everyone else how to more easily make you the next victim.
I have huge concerns about Italy. Basically a country of thieves. In contrast Indonesia Vietnam China even France never had the slightest problem.
As a young female & mostly solo traveler I virtually always book the excursions with the cruise line. While of course something bad can happen anywhere and with anyone I’d rather take my chances with them, not to mention the convenience. I’d very much rather pay a bit extra and be overtly precautious.
I do the same especially In places like Jordan but really anywhere.
Makes perfect sense.
If you were my daughter, sister, mother or wife I would think it well spent. And yes, even with a well vetted tour by the cruise line, something could still happen but life is a balance of managing risks.
@@bibibachmd9995 But Jordan really save. May be some hustlers who want to sell stuff, but no violence. Don't hesitate to visit!
Years ago friends, avid cruisers, were in Mexico. They were middle aged, slightly overweight, and well dressed. They took a cab to sight see. The cabbie drove them out to the middle of nowhere, robbed them, stole everything, jewelry, money, credit cards, passports too, and left them stranded. They managed to get back to the ship, but never got their stuff back. They were badly shaken.
A friend is a pilot with a major U.S. airline. In the 1990s and 2000s, it was common for flight crews to have overnight layovers in Mexican and other Central American cities. But, for more than 10 years, flights to Central America are now all turns, i.e., fly to the city, the turn and fly back to the U.S. hub airport. Management and the unions agree that it's no longer safe for pilots and flight attendants to have overnight stays.
Ever consider it’s a money saving for the airline to not pay for their staff to overnight at expensive resorts?
@atcdude067 They still get overnight stays on islands in the Caribbean. Further one of the secrets of the hotel industry is that hotels booked for flight crews get some pretty steep discounts, because the owner/operator knows there will be X number of rooms booked every night, and crews tend to eat in hotel restaurants.
When I was a practicing lawyer, I represented an airport hotel that was the crew hotel for the original Midway Airlines. The hotel was an upscale brand, and rooms were going for 60% off rack rates.
From what friends of mine who work for airlines, it's not that much different today.
Very sad.
@@atcdude067 Sure, it is all about saving a night's motel in a 3rd world country.
Have you thought about the extra crew they have to bring along to make the turn the same day?
Crews can only fly so many hours in a day before they have to take a break.
It isn't always about the money, except for poor, jealous people who don't understand how the world works.
@RH-cv1rg Flying from Houston, DFW, or Miami to Mexico or other Central American cities are not so far that crews can't do turns.
My friend used to do overnight layovers in Mexico City from Chicago. Now, those flights are all one-day turns, with the pilots and F/As working both legs.
Again, this is not about saving money. It's about safety.
My wife used to work for a company with a large office in Sao Paulo. Every car service was in cahoots with gangs who robbed passengers. So, employees flying to Sao Paulo were given a second, old laptop, with no data, to give to the thieves, and they were told to have a second old or cheap wallet with a few dollars to hand over. This was back between 2000 and 2006.
I'm travel savvy but last time I was in Florence, an elderly lady fainted dead away right in our path. As soon as my husband and I bent down to see if we could help her up. A swarm of teens surrounded us and turned every pocket and tried to grab anything they could. The whole fainting bit was a scam. Until then I was wondering why locals merely stepped over the " poor little ladies."
Another ruse they use to distract you is to shove some kind of fake survey in your face. Just keep walking and don’t even talk to them except to say NO!
That is the biggest worry in Europe. Pickpocketing. Not physical violence or anything more. Just use a money belt or a pouch hanging inside your clothes. Hang on careflly to your phone and camera. Much of the US is far more dangerous.
Well, that’s a bad scam not only is it bad for you, but if an elderly lady faints for real, no one’s gonna help her.
Didn’t mean to put this two times I didn’t press the reply very hard or anything
100% immigrant scum, no doubt.
I'm a musician working on ships all over the Caribbean. Heartbreaking to see Cozumel make this list. Always a crew favorite.
I think it’s ridiculous to put Cozumel on there
@@AnnaBanana-rq9vh Someone forgot to send the check to the State Dept. politician.
My husband and I were on Cozumel Island Feb 2024 during Carnavale. Walked everywhere and felt safe, even at night walking home from the Carnavale parade.
Cozumel is fine and shouldn’t be on this list at all
@@fluffytail6355that's not a decision you get to make
I asked our captain on one cruise why we didn't dock in Kingston and he said, "We could, if we wanted our propellers stolen."
It’s disgusting that Gary has removed critical posts.
I never remove any comments even the troll ones. Though the UA-cam system does automatically place some comments into a “for review” section automatically that they seem as offensive, spam etc. I check those every now and then and other than spam release
@@tipsfortravellers
It should be noted that if you don't sort comments by newest, youtube will filter out some comments. It's weird, and I don't know why.
7.34 Regarding gang-related crime: “…If going to Belize as a cruise passenger, a lot of it hinges on which cruise line you are going with”. Yes, if going with Carnival, the gangs are scared and run away.
@@misterg1157didn’t realise that Carnival had such a bad reputation that even the gangs run away!
Once on a cruise to Chile I was "snatched" by a Peruvian flute band and held captive! Thank God I had gotten to know my cabin steward Alejandro VERY well onboard. He rescued me by trading me for a chicken and a Celine Dion CD. Bless you my little Filipino angel!
I know it's not funny,but a chicken and CD,Celine would be so proud,it's th chicken,it shows how desperate these poor folks are,good outcome,he was your angel,thanks
@@robbyfre981 You are too adorable...people like you are so rare, we need to wrap you in bubble wrap and protect you at all costs!
Please stop flirting with me....Alejandro and I are very happy together.
I can only imagine what they did to you with their flutes.
😮
Great tips! A group of men tried to scam/rob me in Paris near the Eiffel Tower. I was rescued by two lovely plain clothes policemen. It could have got nasty because I realised what was happening and started to run! They saw and recognised the police and disappeared! Thank you for the video!
You started running. 😂😂 That wasn’t because you were under attack, it was because of your diarrhea.
@@markreynolds9135 WHAT are you talking about? have you ever been to Europe or outside your home town?
@@granthurlburt4062Europe isn't a country
I’ve been overseas in the 80’s & 90’s . Most countries go after the tourists but just about all of them hate Americans. And today it’s probably a lot worse .
France is the worst England is a close 2nd
30 years ago, my wife and I felt unsafe in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Our excursion stopped in a local marketplace. We and others on the tour returned to the bus early because of how uncomfortable it was.
I’ve been there--loved it
30 years ago, there was much civil unrest in the country
We were in Jamaica 15 years ago on a cruise stop, same area, visiting dunns falls. I felt virtually accosted walking out by the vendors. Negative experience. Street vendors there are hyper aggressive.
@@patty109109 "were" hyper aggressive
My husband and I bought a bus ferry pass when we docked in Bermuda. We felt safe. Grand cayman we felt safe also but went by tour. The other places he mentioned including Rome we were very cautious. Saw very questionable people around the colosseum including the train station. Just because you are on vacation, other people are not. Protect your valuables and be aware.
I've been to Bermuda twice on cruises and always felt safe. I've been to Rome several times and the situation around the coliseum and Termini station has always been like that, unfortunately.
I have walked down back streets at night and spent two weeks in Rome and never felt unsafe. There’s ‘unsafe’ then there’s paranoia.
I wonder if the comparative safety of Bermuda has anything to do with its British colonial ties ? different culture
@@xr6ladExactly, also pickpocketers aren't gonna hurt you. Yes it might be a pain but it's not like they are gonna pull a weapon on you like they might in the US
Bermuda is a British protectorate, not an independent country. Bermuda also is wealthy due to population controls giving its residents land.
Labadee Haiti is quite beautiful, but Haiti overall is definitely not safe right now. What's really sad is that by not stopping there, the folks who had jobs, now have no way to earn a living and so are really suffering. It's a terrible situation.
That is what happens when the government breaks down. Look at San Francisco. It used to be a vibrant, beautiful city. Now it is full of homeless parked on public sidewalks, using drugs and the gutters for their bathroom. Attractions are closing, shops have moved.
I no longer go there and wouldn't book a cruise that stopped in San Francisco.
I thought everyone from Haiti was in Ohio eating cats and dogs.
@RH-cv1rg you are generalizing, San Francisco is very clean, the enclaves of homelessness is in areas where there are services, people who are homeless gather in areas where the social workers, clinics, food distribution, are being given. This is the same for Miami, what happens is the areas are far apart in Miami, and due to the vegetation is easier to set up a tent and not be noticed. The crime rate in San Francisco is low, compared to other large cities, because of how many services they have to take care of those in need. Oakland has more of a homeless situation, but within the last year many encampments have been taken away, more mental health in those areas, along with safe areas for homeless families. Those areas are inner city.
I have family throughout the areas and go for many walks, hikes, public transport, and never had a problem, petty theft of rental car break ins, absolutely. The schools are extremely safe. Large events can be attended without fear of a mass shooting.
I just wanted to share that sometimes the places with a bad rap are a small fraction of an area.
Safe travel.
Thanks, Gary. Great advice, as ever! When we cruise into Nassau, my brother, who lives there, picks us up, and we spend the day with him. It's great!
The number of ladies I saw wearing flashy jewelry and carrying expensive hand bags on my last cruise was shocking to me. I wear no jewelry and carry a slash proof, lockable travel cross body bag which is far from pretty but very secure. Like someone else said, even knock off handbags or costume jewelry can make you a target.
In Rome, you look like a target, jewelry or not. With the right precautions, like a crossbody bag, I would still go to Rome, though. You have to be most careful in the subway and the most touristy areas.
Poor people living above thier means love to be flashy. I've never met somone with wealth who's priorities are showing others they actually have wealth.
What is the brand of travel bag you use- or a link?
@@FrankFox-yu1xf it is a PacSafe brand bag. They also make backpacks. I am very happy with it! It even washes well
@@Loralanthalasexactly
Just got back from vacation in Jamaica. We stayed at an all inclusive hotel outside Montego Bay. We had arranged several trips while there, snorkeling, a tour to a rum distillery and tubing. We always had arranged for someone drive us to the activity and back. At no time did we feel unsafe. If we just went out wandering around by ourselves it may have been different.
You sound soft.
That sounds awful! Not a vacation for me. I go in vacation to explore the country, not only by organised trips. Otherwise I could just stay in my own country.
@@katenl8976 We were only there for a couple of days and this was easier and let us do things we would have missed. Also first time in Jamaica so we didn't have to figure out public transportation. We were in Europe a few years ago and did the exact opposite and did our own thing as much as possible.
Feeling safe doesn't mean you are safe.
It’s up to you if you take notice. Gary is telling you the dangers. It’s not just pickpockets it’s mugging and murders. The foreign office only gives advice if it’s a dangerous place.
@@graceallen4102 There are light scary people too.
And some places are worth visiting, even if there's risk - if you can take actions to lower the risk. I would not skip the Acropolis because the metro is dangerous ... I'd use a different form of transportation.
@@lizcademy4809if you think the Greek metro it’s dangerous we have reached a new level of paranoia.
@@xr6lad I don't know how dangerous it is; I've never been on it. But Gary called it out as having a lot of pickpockets.
Not that it really matters ... anyone who thinks any metro is 100% safe and completely lets their guard down is in danger. And that applies just as much to my home city's metro in the upper midwest, USA (not Chicago).
@@xr6ladI see the Australian government is warning about Malmö in Sweden, because of the risk of protests. Even places we used to think were safe seem not to be safe anymore.
@@graceallen4102 Spoken like someone who's never been out of Sheboygan.
Honestly, I would make this a very short video: No matter where you travel, be street savvy. Anything can happen anywhere in the world.
Exactly. There was a shooting less than a mile a away from me in my generally safe Seattle suburb last night. I've been all throughout Mexico, Lebanon and other "unsafe" countries and have never been close to a shooting.
Statistics matter. Go ahead and live in la la land.
Except maybe Japan. I’ve seen women use their purse as placeholders in Starbucks and go buy their coffee.
Exactly! Right now with everything going on, nowhere is safe!
@@andredupreez5705 Well, that is true one should consider the difference in risk level when traveling to various countries. Your risk level in Tokyo and Singapore is infinitesimal compared to say Manila, Detroit ,Marseille or Belize City
The first rule for staying safe is use common sense. Haiti and Mexico are both high crime countries and probably worse than you may realize as most crimes in both go unreported. In either country I wouldn't go anywhere outside a high security port area. When I was in the navy many years ago, I learned some precautions that I continue to practice to the present day when traveling. I keep only a minimal amount of money in my wallet and no credit cards or ID. Wallets are what pick pockets generally go for. If you get mugged just toss your wallet in their general direction and run. Keep your ID and extra cash spread out over other pockets and hard to get places in your clothes. I used to keep a $20 bill in each of my shoes while on liberty, just in case. ($20 went a lot farther back then.) I never take more than one bank card with me and my passport always stays locked up in the hotel/cabin safe. A photocopy of my passport works for going out.
I have some fake movie money in a money clip to use as bait, if they got it they'll get arrested or beaten for trying to pass fake money. Be sure to throw the money to allow a quick open exit.
Yep, taking passport around in an easily accessed pocket is begging for trouble.
Cabin safes are not safe
I have only been on one cruise many years ago, and the cruise line went over their sponsored excursions, cancelling one going to Tulum, Mexico, because a tour bus going to the site had been recently stopped by armed men who robbed everyone, and a rafting event in Jamaica because of a similar incident. I did "sting-ray-city" in the Cayman Islands, did the island tour at Cozumel and rode in a bus across the top of Jamaica to climb the waterfall at Ocho Rios.
One of the selling points of the sponsored tours is that they would not leave you if you did not get back to the ship on time. I visited with a couple who did not do the sponsored tour and were late and missed getting on the ship at the Cayman Islands, chartered a private plane to fly ahead to Montego Bay, where they had to spend the night locked in a room at the airport till the cruise office was open the next day and could straighten things out. Their passports were with the ship.
I noticed a lot of my fellow passengers were advertising their tourist status by carrying a cruise line canvas bag or having their cruise card on a lanyard around their neck. One can't blame the city for not being alert and wise as a traveler.
True. But most of is stick out with dress/mannerisms/language and just in general hanging in the tourist area. Some of the ports only allow employees and travelers access.
I live in a port city. Believe me, none of that matters. They know who lives there and who doesn’t. Doesn’t matter what you have on. The targets are clear.
I once represented a pickpocket and he told me he always looks for the easiest targets. Jewelry, fancy watches and expensive clothes also make you a target. Also make it difficult to get to your wallet and travel documents. I usually carry the necessary documents in a cloth holster under my shirt and I usually wear a jacket on top of that.
Good video. Surprised to learn that Haiti is a cruise destination.
In Venice at the end of March. Warm and uncrowded, it cried out to be visited in low-season.
Hi Gary! Thanks for the mention! We love your show!
Thanks for watching! Likewise really enjoy all your news and updates !
I also gave you a shout out to the person in the stall next to me. Unfortunately, due to the significant flatulence noises emanating from them, they may not have heard me.
We just got back from a Western Caribbean cruise 2 weeks ago. Hubby & I decided that was a one & done itinerary for us. It’s nowhere near as beautiful as the Eastern & Southern Caribbean ports, plus, we only ventured out in Roatán & Belize because we purchased excursions through Princess. We felt safe on those, but wouldn’t have gone exploring on our own like we did in St. Maarten or Antigua.
I rather agree-eastern and southern are definitely better
So r you saying that St Maarten n Antigua were not safe ? Thanks
@@Joanv314 no, I’m saying that we did feel safe getting off the ship & exploring St. Maarten & Antigua when we were there. We didn’t feel safe doing that in the ports on our Western itinerary, mainly because two of them were in Mexico. My brother in law is of Mexican descent (his parents were born there), but he’s also in law enforcement, and he says there is NO way he would go there. He knows too much about how the cartels operate there…
@@katiesjoyfullife thanks Katie
We treat Ocho Rios as a sea day. Funny, the ship was empty until about noon and they all came running back to the ship when they saw the neighborhood. No issues with pier runners at that stop!
We did the same at Ocho Rios and Cozumel 👍🏼
As someone with 19 land-based trips to Jamaica under my belt (including 2 at all-inclusives in Ocho Rios) everyone knew to stay away from downtown on cruise ship day. But even when the ships are not in port, the craft market in Ocho Rios can be highly stressful if you aren't prepared for it. The sales tactics are like a sledgehammer and everyone has the same stuff. Remember -- these are people who are just trying to earn a living and this is how they do it, and they're all competing for the same people.
Another thing: while in Jamaica, tip EVERYONE. If a guy points you to where the rest room is, tip him. No joke. Not that it's threatening, but it's expected. Honestly? A cruise ship is NOT how to see Jamaica. Book a hotel, get to know your hotel staff and you'll make new friends -- and learn something too.
❤@@jillcnc
I love the place
Ugh pleeeez. Ocho Rios is as safe as you can get.
Thanks for the shout-out to Cruise Scouts, my favorite cruise news channel. 👍
I’ve never cruised, nor do I plan to. But I love your videos. Interesting and you have a nice relaxing voice. Thank you. 😊
Thanks for the information. I am traveling to Europe next year, so the warning is appreciated. I am sorry to hear about Cozumel. I haven’t been there since 2018, and it was wonderful then.
When I am in areas that might have pickpockets, I take extra precautions. All the zippers on my cross-body purse can be secured. And that purse has wires woven in the body and straps, so it can’t be cut easily. I keep most of my money and cards in a belt pouch. And I keep my passport in a pocketed scarf around my neck. I know this won’t help with a violent theft, but it does deter pickpockets.
Your neck is your airway. Don't put anything around your neck because it gives bad players a lot of control! They can grab and easily strangle.
Europe isn't a country. It isn't wot value to say you are going to "Europe"
I have conflicting feeling about port call on Labadee, on one hand it is indeed in an extreme dangerous country, all it take is one particularly aggressive gang to overrun the security. On the other hand, that means local Haitian lost one of the last safe job in a relatively secured location.
As a solo traveller I do pay attention to the alerts which ports are dangerous 🇨🇦
If the US Dept of State had ratings for Galveston, New Orleans, and Miami cruise ports they would also be Level 3 or 4...
Shh…you are not supposed to say that. 😂
No kidding
😅😅😂😂
Rate Chiraq(Chicago) more dangerous than any he mentioned
This is exactly what I tell people when they wince at some of our destinations in Mexico. Dude, we visit New Orleans every year, and our last domestic trip was to Philadelphia. Everyone is wonderful and welcoming. Don’t look for trouble and you likely won’t find it.
Knowing pick pockets were a problem in Italy before I went last year, I bought a bag for carrying my wallet, phone, etc that had all zipper closures. I never let it out of my sight either when I sat down. Had no problems and an amazing time in Italy.
Where I live, in a port city in SE Asia, everyone carries sling bags, and carry absolutely nothing in their pockets. What freedom! It's easy to spot the difference between natives and tourists, because tourists don't have them. It's the first thing I look for. Sling bags can be protected by both hands. My 7 year old wallet still looks brand new, because it has never been in a pocket.
Sling bags. A must. An absolute must. Never put anything in a pocket. A lot happens in transit systems. Easy to deflect.
Pretty sure you’re “family”. I always appreciate your perspective and opinions. Thank you for looking out for us!
No one cares
I live in the very touristy Gatlinburg TN, right outside the Great Smoky Mountains NP. Pickpocketing and car theft are rampant here. It is to be expected in tourist areas.
Thanks for mentioning Travel Scouts. We enjoy them as well.
For pickpocket defense I like the Clothing Arts (online) brand, with multiple security features, plus they're comfortable for travel. And no, I don't work for them, I just like them. I have two of their pants and one shirt, and am thinking of getting shorts.
Seriously though. Last week I had a friend witness a broad daylight shooting from his Capitol Hill apartment and one of my coworkers got mugged on the way to work. I live in Washington DC. Be safe, be smart, be alert.
It is a shame about DC. It is one of my favorite places. We live in Maryland.
Around bIax, never reIax
Luck not many cruises stop in Washington DC.
I wonder if these countries have travel warnings for visiting the US.
@@power4thingssome actually do. And wait until November timeframe to see what the yellow clown and his cult may have up their sleeves….
It’s a shame to have ports of call where the safER option is stay on board or stay within the secure port area filled with less than authentic cultural experience. That is a failed destination/port in my opinion. Not what I paid for or wanted. It’s a disappointment
Unfortunately it’s the real world.
Right. I think the generic sandy beach, palm trees and tshirt shops aren't what I'm looking for when I travel to another country. I want to see their nature, cultural restaurants, local-made items, art, and historical areas. (to each their own) But I don't need to take a cruise to see beaches and gift shops, since I can see those in many southern USA coasts within a few hours drive.
I haven’t booked Caribbean cruises for the ports in decades. I book for the weather. Much more pleasant than Canada in the winter. When I was healthy enough to scuba dive I would get off at Cayman and Cozumel for two tank dives, then back on the ship. Another was Saint Martin where we have a favorite restaurant for lunch. Other than that, I enjoy the balcony and having the ship to myself.
At least for Europe, that's alarmist advice. Just keep your cards and money in a travel pouch hanging inside your clothes. I've spent total of 2 months or more travelling in Europe, usually as a solo traveller, with several days in each of Istanbul, Barcelona (two visits, 1 failed pickpocketing-I caught the guy and got my wallet back); madrid, Valencia, Vienna, Paris (lost cash but not cards in my only pickpocketing experience), London (8 times), Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat. In 1994, travelled mostly solo in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. 1988, 5 weeks in Greece (scammed once-my own fault). I always took local transport and went to tourist attractions, always careful, and wandered in markets, ate in local restaurants.
@@granthurlburt4062 It's not just pickpocketing and theft - it's some ports where kidnappings, rapes, and violence have been significant enough to raise a red flag. And remember that these tourist-income places are reluctant to report all their anti-tourist crime, so the stats you see are just the tip of the iceberg. (For example, I used to work at the Key West Chamber of Commerce, and news was definately filtered and suppressed.)
Pickpockets are common in most crowded places and particularly on public transport and at tourist attractions. Just be a bit extra vigilant and don’t flaunt any wealth and it’s fine in Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Paris, London and Western Europe generally etc. Additionally, if going out at night, don’t wander down dark alleyways on your own. Just common sense. Also remember that if you are elderly, as many cruise passengers are, you may be perceived as an easier target than more middle aged people so just take a bit of extra care.
The Gypsies in Montenegro are the worst.
Quite right. I travelled on public transport in London and other parts of England, Paris (5 days), Vienna (6 days), Berlin (4 days), Barcelona (2 separate occasions, stayed several days each time), Istanbul (1 week, local transport daily), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Madrid (1 night), Bordeaux in the past 10 years. Cleverly pickpocketed on the Paris Metro.They took my cash & I got my wallet with credit cards back. Kept my wallet inside my pants after a 2nd failed pickpocketing in Barcelona (I caught the guy). No problems or threats otherwise. 20 yrs ago, a week in Athens (no problems), couple of days in Iraklion. 2 weeks travelling up and down the Nile-trains and buses and local transport in Aswan, and Luxor & a week in Cairo (took subway several times, and also taxis). I've never been on a cruise
My opinion is that it doesn't matter where you go, you need to be careful. But three things I learned from living in a city with crime... Don't flaunt wealth... Any wealth.. The Kate Spade purse may look super cute but they are more likely to steal that than my $40 purse.
Have a plan. I've seen confused people in completely safe ports get targeted and ripped off by locals who 'want to help'.
An extra one is don't pull your whole wallet out to buy something. When you do this, you put it's contents on display. Have a little purse with maybe a card and a few bills and pull that out instead. If you absolutely have to then put it away immediately. Most people step away from the cash register and then put it away... Don't do that.. You just created an opportunity. And opportunities are what people need to commit crimes.
This is misinformation. Some places are just shitter then others. Some countries are just worse and should be avoided
I stayed at a resort in Montego Bay back in 2014 we stayed on the resort most of the time and only went out with trips booked through the resort. We were right by the cruise ship port had a lovely view from our balcony.
I live in the USA, grew up in New York City, and me and my family have visited Rome every few years for decades. We’ve also been to Florence and Venice several times. And we do lots of touristy stuff even though we’ve done it before. NONE of us have ever been pickpocketed (although once when I was a kid a bunch of other kids did try, one distracted me with a fake survey). You need to be street smart, not carry valuables you don’t need, and secure the ones you do have. Then don’t worry about it and have fun.
I was in Rome and Venice in 2023 and Athens in 2024 and had a great time in all three. I had a secure cross body travel bag that I always kept in front of me (with my hands securely on the bag when in a crowded area). You can easily protect yourself so please don’t avoid those 3 great cities because you fear being pick-pocketed. They are amazing cities.
Just visited Cozumel and Roatan, no troubles. We were in tourist areas and enjoyed our visits immensely.
People think the RCI area in Haiti is miles from anywhere. It isn’t, Labadee is only a few miles from a major city with cathedral, and a road runs straight from the city to the Labadee beach area, just a few miles away.
I think though the video is a little alarmist. Cozumel is pretty safe really. As is Nassau and the European resorts. If a shooting of some local/ gang member stops you going, you wouldn’t go to any U.S. city.
I’ve lived in the US for 30 years in the largest cities and never seen a shooting or gang activity. I can’t say the same for a time period measured in DAYS while traveling abroad.
People always make claims like this but in 30+ years out of the 1,000+ of people I know, nobody has been pick picked in the US. In the few days I spend in Europe I manage to meet people who were pickpocketed in the few days I spent in Europe. The difference is just astronomical but clowns want to say “it’s the same everywhere”.
I long ago decided not to get off the ship in Jamaica or Nassau. My daughter lived on Roatan for a year. Highly dangerous. Also a stay on the ship. My daughter renamed Coxswain Hole to Toxin Hole. When I went to the bank you enter a lobby where an armed guard, armed with an M16, requires you to check your gun before they let you into the bank.
Yeah, the bank security! We were in Punta Arenas just a few weeks ago and wife and I went to a bank near the port to break a $100 bill; I was allowed in by the armed guard while wife wasn't and she waited in the sweltering heat outside. They did a metal scan on me as well checked my carryon. That's Costa Rica--one of the supposedly safest and prosperous countries south of the border. Also, there was widespread poverty and broken infrastructure right around the port. PS. The bank was one of the VERY few places with AC to escape the heat/humidity.
@@meengla We loved Costa Rica when there but that was 20 years ago. We felt perfectly safe there. Traveled all over. It has a good economy with a highly literate population. It’s only had one military coup attempt in 1946, it failed and they banned the army. We were in Guanacaste, the northwestern province. Beautiful weather, beautiful people. I hope it hasn’t changed. The source of crime then was from Nicaragua.
We also experienced their universal healthcare system. My wife split her elbow and need a couple of stitches. They were free! But they recommended a tetanus shot and profusely apologized for the $10 fee!
@@barryhaley7430 I am sure your experience was great. Costa Rica has been constantly sold as a bright spot south of the border. What I narrated was our very limited exposure to the port area of Punta Arenas. Maybe busy cruise ports attract some 'attention'. Looking at the people around the port, it was easy to see a lot of poverty and there was a general sense of being in an unsafe place. I gave you the bank example.
@@meengla Oh, I wasn’t criticizing your comments. I was just hoping it hasn’t become the norm. Costa Rica was one of the few bright spots.
@@barryhaley7430 Oh, no worries. I understood you fine. We had different experiences and in different eras. I think Costa Rica is probably still a rare 'bright spot' south of the border and I shouldn't let the Punta Arena port area experience cloud my judgments. Thank you for a civil discourse!
I remember going to Nassau in the 80s and as long as you stayed in the city proper, you were as safe as any good city in the US and a lot better than many in the US. In fact, most people were very friendly, and the local community would not tolerate crime against the tourists since that’s how they made their living.
In Mexico and Central America, it’s a similar story. Being from Texas we used to go to Mexico to party and have a good time often. Other than the usual tourist scams, it was very safe. Again, they knew where the money came from. Now days, I’m not going to Mexico without a Seal Team for protection.
As for Europe, the only place I got pick pocketed was in Paris on the Metro. I didn’t really care, all they got was a wallet with scrap paper in it. My real wallet and credit cards were under a couple layers of clothes. They’d have had to undress me to get to those. Give them an easy wallet and they don’t go looking.
In Roatan we chose an excursion to the private island of Maya Key. Not too expensive. Well maintained and we felt totally safe
We never felt unsafe when we visited Belize City. Of course we didn’t wander around on our own, we took a cruise ship sponsored excursion to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai (highly recommended). As far as Jamaica, we didn’t go far into Ocho Rios as we didn’t feel very safe. Nassau can be dangerous, but we never had any issues.
We have always loved Cozumel. We typically take a ferry to the mainland, but may not be doing that anymore due to all the issues in Mexico.
You don’t need to go “far” into Ocho Rios. You’re only shopping for souvenirs anyway. Everything else you have on board.
@@fluffytail6355 Ocho Rios sucks.
I’d like to go to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao the Southern Carribean. Not sure I’m meant to cruise. I work grocery retail and meet too many people every workday.
Been to all three; very nice experiences.
I wonder what rating the State Department would give cities like Chicago, NYC, and SF to name a few.
Many of the Caribbean islands are not safe nor desirable. I usually stay on the ship. The ship tours include a lot of wasted time and there is not much to see. The best is Saint Bart's. Grenada, St. Thomas, St. Lucia and many others are dicey. Pickpockets all over. A woman passenger had her wallet stolen in Rhodes. I've witnessed one in the Paris Metro.
Magan's bay in st Thomas is beautiful!! But always go with people
I don’t visit those cities either😂😂
At the 11:30 mark, an actor friend of mine is playing a fake cab driver, LOL!!! Go, Carlos!
It's called stock footage
@@elisaastorino2881 Yes, I know. I just was suprised, thinking of the low odds of this happening, seeing an actor I had worked with. It was really fun, considering he might still be based in Ukraine and the war is still going on.
1:50 - how can anyone possibly enjoy visiting a place that has to be isolated from the locals by razor wire?!
I remember, as a child, having holidays in Russell New Zealand where once every other week a c Luise ship carrying Americans would arrive. This was the 70s. All shops doubled their prices but had store window painters "paint half off sale" on the doubled prices every day that the cruise ship was there. So New Zealand.
Before panicking about State Department Level 2 Travel Advisories, take a look at the world in general according to those same advisories. For example, most of Western Europe is under a Level 2 advisory (Increased Caution), as opposed to most of Eastern Europe which is under a Level 1 advisory.
The State Department does not give contextual information about those advisories. Just how dangerous is the United States? Is it more dangerous to stay home than to travel to the United Kingdom (Level 2)? You can't tell from the State Department Travel Advisories.
Personally, I'm avoiding Level 4 countries and mainly limiting myself to tours in Level 3 countries. But if I'm willing to go on my own in the United States, I'll explore on my own in Level 1 and Level 2 countries.
If you want to ignore the warnings, that's your problem. And I've heard a lot of people like you going on about the safety here at home, usually adding how the US has no business issuing warnings about other countries. Any government, not just ours, has a duty to help its citizens abroad. It's as simple as that and has nothing to do with the situation at home, good or bad.
@@elisaastorino2881I think he’s just saying to be as careful as you are in the USA. No more, no less. Frankly, I watch my purse in my neighborhood. It’s safe, but let’s not be stupid.
The answer to your question is that most American cities are far more dangerous than London and the big cities in the UK. The main danger to tourists is pickpocketing and mobile phone theft.
@@deekang6244 Almost anywhere you go you are more at risk as an outsider than as a local.
@@deekang6244so do I, especially since I work in the city. You're right about that but I still think his remark was uncalled for.
WOW, thank you so much for the "Heads Up" information. Good to know. Well Wishes for you and yours. ❤🧡❤
Thank you for talking about this. When I go ashore I lower the risk of being pick-pocketed, as a man, by wearing pants that make it hard for them to target you. If they see that it would be difficult to pick-pocket you, they will look for an easier victim. Also, I do not take anything in my wallet (or person) I don't think I'll need when going ashore. People need to use common sense when cruising. I call it applying CLR (no, not the cleaner, lol) Common Sense, Logic & Reason. Have you done a video about things to do to lesson your chances of being pick-pocketed and harmed? Happy Cruising!
I lived in Kingston Jamaica in 1980 & 81, married a Jamaican girl, and have regularly traveled to Jamaica for the last 44 years. Practice common sense WHEREVER you go and you’ll be no more in danger in Jamaica than you would be anywhere. Given there was a murder near my Jacksonville Florida home just last week, the concept of “safety” everywhere is a bit ridiculous. Live your life in a padded room if that’s what you want.
Why does all cruise lines go to the same ports? And if there are millions of visitors to the ports and the people who lives there are not benefiting from it you can of course expect problems.
Barcelona and Venice haw problem with over crowded and people who work there cant find somewhere to live.I think there have too be a discussion abaut how much tourism a place can sustain so it will be a win win for both parties 😊
I wasn't pickpocketed in Rome, Barcelona or Athens but I agree it's best to be aware that it can happen. In Barcelona one guy touched my backpack at a train station but I jumped out of the way and kept walking. I wasn't going to entertain any requests from someone for asking directions or chit chat from total strangers in a train station.
In 2023 my wife and I went to Jamaica, and hired a car and drove all around the island, including staying in a bed and breakfast in Kingston. We had a great time, and as we were on our own, we relied a lot on locals to help us find things. We did not feel the least bit unsafe. Yes I am sure there is violence, but so there is in UK. It is up to the individual, but I’m not going to limit my visits to interesting places.
I found Nassau more tacky than unsafe. I was onshore for 30 minutes and had enough
If you book a hotel room near the Atlantis , they will give you wrist bands to get into the Atlantis pool.
They need to add Miami, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles to that list. 😂😂
Differently. The travel list needs to be updated to include our own country. 😂
Miami is very safe - especially in areas south of the Miami River. New York is also pretty safe.
The good part is that when you are a native of NY, you’re to experienced and smart to get your pocket picked.
@@lngvly22a place where people carry guns safe? I dont understand this reasoning. In some european cities you might get pickpocketed, but at least usually not confronted with armed people
This comment sounds like it's from someone who doesn't live near or visit big cities often, LOLz.
We just had a lovely trip to NYC, had multiple good trips to LA and SF. Whatever your complaint is, your issue is just with big cities no matter the country.
In March 2024, before my sister-in-law had disembarked from the bus that had taken her from the airport in Rome to the cruise ship port, her luggage was stolen as soon as the bus driver unloaded it. First day of a 20-day cruise. What a nightmare! Thieves are everywhere.
We were in the ABC islands last week. Curaçao said their crime rate was almost nil. On the bus tour, all the nice, beautiful homes had significant rolled barbed wire on their walls around their property. That’s usually a sign there is serious crime.
I hope these ports (especially those in the Caribbean) become safer again. It was before my time but I understand that even Port Au Prince was once a common cruise port of call! It would be a shame if Caribbean cruises just become shuttles between cruise line private islands.
Interesting observation. Insult to injury, these impoverished nations probably don't get much of an economic boost from the private islands compared to ports where passengers move about the city. The poor get poorer.
We were always careful in the Bahamas and in Grenada, you have to use common sense wherever you go, don’t wander into unsafe areas. Holds true in the U.S. as well as in the rest of the world.
We were in Rome, Athens, Olympia etc last year and we were fine. Just exercise caution keep the bare minimum of things with you. Use a pouch to keep them in so they are not visible.
How are you supposed to know if you’re in what’s unsafe area or not? For example when I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Rotan, Honduras, it seemed like a distressed area even in the port.
Basically wherever there is “diversity” 👨🏿🦱, keep your guard up.
Our friends lived on their boat for four years in the Florida Bahamas area they often remarked how the Bahamas has a sinister underbelly where crime is covered up to protect that exotic location identity they treasure so much.
@@Tolpuddle581 The Bahamas is part of a major smuggling route of narcotics into the US.
Similar to comments by Verpal on this thread, in addition to the loss of crucial income for locals at manufactured on- land fenced off port stops like Labadee in Haiti; a big part the very reason for travel for many is to experience local cultures in their own environment. While I wholly concur with pragmatics and safety first, it will be a huge shame for many reasons if the Carribean becomes just a series of on-land sterilised extensions of the cruise ship, which was my experience of Labadee.
After our last cruise to the Mexican Riviera we decided that would be our last trip to Mexico by cruise or all inclusive trip. I'm very disappointed about the Italian and Athens situation. We were in pre Covid Rome for our pre cruise stay and never felt vulnerable staying in any of the tourist areas. What a shame. We want to go back.
Thanks Gary. As usual great advice. We went to Cozumel & Honduras at New Year and someone was shot - not from our cruise but a cruise passenger I think in Roatan. In those countries is well worth paying the extra to book a planned excursion either with the cruise company or with a reputable company.
Roatan has been dangerous for years outside the cruise port
We got back not long ago from a week in Roatan, went all over and never felt unsafe. Wonderful preople and amazing place. People need to use common sense and realize bad things are everywhere and you can't spend your life hiding under your bed😊
Excellent information! Thanks for the update!
I was pickpocketed in Bilbao, Spain a couple of weeks ago during an excursion in the old town. My phone was taken but it was then returned a moment later by locals who saw what happened. So, I got lucky. Someone on the cruise told me eleven people had their phones taken away few weeks earlier in, I think, Amsterdam, sometimes while taken a photo.
The world is a dangerous place. You should always be aware and only take what you need when you are out and about. Also if you are that scared stay home. You will have more control over your surroundings and much less risk. Travel and experiencing new things involves risk.
There is a difference between uSA “danger” and EU danger…
I will avoid any places I get a bad feeling about. Common sense.
This is disinformation. Some places are just shitter and more dangerous. Saying "the world is a dangerous place" is a distract from the facts
All these cruise lines have to do is threaten those countries with not stopping there if they don't make those places more secure. Cruise ships stopping in those countries are a huge part of the local economy. Example; say the Bahamas, if the cruise lines tell the government we will no longer come here watch how fast the authorities get rid of the riff raff in that area. The fact of the matter is the cruise lines are doing the minimum on this matter. All they do is say take a cruise line approved excursion of which they get a cut of the money. But, as long as people keep taking cruises the cruise lines have no incentive to do anything else. Again, all they have to do is threaten those countries with no business and watch how fast they clean up those areas.
We just returned from the Leeward Antilles. I would prefer to ONLY visit those three islands from now on. Clean, safe, and beautiful.
Well. Whether on vacation or your own state/city/town you live in; crime unfortunately is everywhere. We must be careful in general in life.
On a Dec 2022/Jan 2023 MIA to LAX Christmas & New Years Panama Canal sailing, we stopped for New Years Eve in Acapulco. What an armpit that once-icon of North American retreats for the stars & starlettes has become! I'd been there in 1970 with my parents, and recall that glimpse of its former glory when I was 16 staying along the beach in what was then one of Holiday Inn's few stabs at upscale hotels, reveling in the neighborhood shops & hotel overlook where we enjoyed an evening meal regaled by the feats of the Cliff Divers.
While the link is dated 22 Aug 2023, I'm wondering more specifically if that specific date was when the US State Dept ascribed "Do Not Travel" status for Guerrero State (Acapulco/Taxco)? On 31 Dec 2022, we were accompanied by Tourist Police everywhere our bus took us . . . and the neighborhood around the hotel which overlooked the Cliff Divers' brave displays was where I felt most in unsafe (even with the armed tourist police) vs. anywhere else I've recently traveled - it was filthy, a stench of sewage permeated the air in places, and public garbage cans overflowed into piles on the sidewalk/street containing more refuse than the cans themselves held. If it wasn't in place when we were there on 31 Dec 2022, the "Do Not Travel" status for Guerrero State should have been added shortly after our visit.
As it stands, the current verbiage follows, below - if the US Gov employees are so-cautioned, it should stand to reason that Joe or Jane Tourist should really avoid this area, and I'm surprised they even ascribe any inferred safety in this verbiage to the "tourist areas":
Guerrero state - Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime.
Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years.
Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following area with the noted restrictions:
Taxco: U.S. government employees must use Federal Highway 95D, which passes through Cuernavaca, Morelos, and stay within downtown tourist areas of Taxco. Employees may visit Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park during the day with a licensed tour operator.
U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Ixtapa.
Funnily enough I also visited Acapulco in the seventies when it was a safe and luxurious resort. Sadly today it has been taken over by one of Mexico's many warring drug cartels and is a very dangerous place.
I'm surprised you didn't mention Money belts under your clothes. I have traveled to a lot of places in Europe and had nothing taken as nothing is out in the open. I wear a small cross body bag too. My boyfriend had a hand in his pocket in Paris by the Eiffle tower but he had pockets with zippers. most of his stuff except a few euros was in his money belt anyway.
I am so angry about the 3 surfers that were murdered for their truck tires that I refuse to go on any cruises that stop there.
That incident was on the Pacific coast of Mexico in Ensenada, approximately 2800 miles from Cozumel on the East Coast of Mexico in the Caribbean Sea
Just got back from an RC cruise that stopped in Ensenada. Not a great port. The shop people in town are very aggressive and you will be approached every few minutes from someone begging for money for an operation. Catalina made up for it though.
It was so sad and horrible. The parents lost 2 sons for what? Tires? Cruel people
From San Diego, and no one I know travels to Baja California anymore.
Millions of people visit Mexico every year. Those guys were off the beaten track. I'm sad it happened but it more rare than being killed by a lightning strike.
On our Mediterranean cruise bad weather cause us to make an unscheduled stop at Genoa. With no excursions booked we just walked and wandered the city and took the funicular to the high city. The people and shops were friendly and we never felt unsafe. It wasn't crowded. It was very interesting. Hint: don't ask for Genoa salami.
My sister and I went to Barcelona, Florence, Rome and Venice last summer. We didn’t have any problems with pick pocketers at all. It might have been because we dumped everything in our hotel room after a couple hours shopping/exploring
Pickpockets is all over the world not only in the Caribbean. I have been to France and Italy and I heard the tour guide speaking to some people in her language after they left she told us they are pickpockets.
That’s is not, when we talking about the world which should not just mean US, Europe, Caribbean, or Mediterranean. Some Asian countries like Singapore, Japan is ridiculously safe, New Zealand is also very safe.
I really like your tips and know you do cover some excursion highlights where relevant, I’d be interested to see you do some reviews of ports of call to help people decide their itinerary rather than the ship or region. 😊👍
Last time on Falmouth we went on an excursion through DCL. The bus home they pulled us into a 'rest stop' to try and swindle us. Only one guy and his kid got off the bus.
Last couple cruises I hit Belize, Guatemala, and Jamaica. Guatemala they made announcements every 5 minutes about not self-exploring, not going anywhere alone, etc. Of course one of our group had to do the manly man thing and wandered off with a random group he found. He said they walked into a bar and noticed every single guy in the bar had a pistol on his belt. And as they were walking another path a local lady came running out of her house and screamed at them "NONONO GRINGOS! NO! Don't walk that way. Bad men are waiting for you. Very bad men. Turn around!" They did turn around. On the official excursion the rest of us took to a national park, there were several police with automatic weapons and they were adamant that nobody ever leave the group. Naturally one of our party (150 pounds overweight) decided about 20 minutes in she couldn't handle the hill and insisted she had to stop. The poor teenage guide was beside himself. "You can't stop--you have to come with us" "I can't--I'll just walk back down the way we came" "NOOOOO! YOU CANNOT DO THAT". One of the guys in our group said "I'll go with her" and the kid was still freaking and got on the radio. Those two disappeared with the tour guide looking kinda green, but we learned that when the guide radioed home base a couple cops walked up the path to meet them. Clearly they were taking tourist safety to heart. But shortly after, Norwegian quit going there.
Belize there were just a lot of police with submachine guns hanging out in pairs. We opted to not leave the area and didn't do any of the excursions.
Jamaica didn't feel unsafe, but I was harassed repeatedly by a cop who was very unhappy that a middle-age guy was walking alone. He literally followed me around insisting he would be arresting me the instant he saw me talking to a lone girl or any group of locals not in a trinket stall. Forget reasonable suspicion or probable cause. The third time he reminded me he was watching me I decided they CLEARLY didn't want my $$$ so I just walked back to the ship. (Other members of my group had opted to go do some floofy excursion that sounded terrible to me, so I was just going to wander...instead I hung out on the ship.)
I did a cruise ship walking tour of Nassau and nothing happened to me. Our guide was amazing, she warned us about potholes, sidewalks that disappear, obstacles, etc. Also showed us amazing sights.
Oh wow! I guess it's all good then! Bon voyage!! 👍
Thank you for writing this. People like to jump on a band wagon.
@@jnew5274 It's crazy how close-minded cruisers can be. I see so many cruisers saying that Nassau and Freeport are "stay on the ship" ports. Where's their sense of adventure? I saw an amazing jungle walk with an incredible statue, a huge lighthouse, a governor's mansion, etc. I paid $40 and got entertained for 90 minutes.
@@blucolife I've heard people ask questions like do the people on these islands live in thatch houses? 🤦 I've heard that the only in Freeport is what you see at the harbour. It's based on what they are looking to do and are still closed minded about the effects that category 5 Dorian and then C-VID played. Still a long ways to go, in catching up, but it looks way better than it did back then. Take a tour with Mr Forbes who has a charter company.
@@jnew5274 The Bahamas has problems, but it's not Ethiopia or Somalia. People do have running water, flushing toilets, cars, Internet, etc. Nassau was gorgeous, I loved those colorful houses. The streets were a little trashy, but you know what? So is my local Home Depot. American customers throw garbage all over the place, they have no respect for private property.
I took my first cruise in June 1969 and have been an avid cruiser since then. The world has changed, and now I spend most port days on the ship. On my last cruise, I never left the ship and had a lovely time reading and exploring. I like being on a big ship when all the passengers are out and about. I'm 76 now and still active.
Gary, great video and great advice. Thanks for giving some great travel advice.
Glad it was helpful!
I stayed onboard in Bahamas. Nassau is a one and done and it’s also getting bad there.
We are taking the Mediterranean cruise from msc in August / September. We don’t get off in Barcelona but we do get of in Rome on a group tour. I always have a bag with me that’s in front of my body and I can hold
Nassau has a history as a Pirate Port, and that history has not faded. My father and I nearly got mugged at Nassau but we managed to avoid it and escape to our ship. Subsequently, that was the LAST time we got off at Nassau.
Nowadays, when we cruise, the ship itself is our destination. Port days are quite nice for those who stay aboard as you get the whole ship largely to yourself as more than half of the passengers get off. Private Islands are safe though.
Thank you Sir. You're a dear for sharing this with everyone❤🎉
Found Roatan very safe when we went with RCCI and went to explore on our own.
Sad about Labadee and I’ve know even before all the unrest once it got on the UK “do not travel list”most insurers voided policies. Knew of one chap who’s policy was void from leaving the UK to returning as the ship was docking in Labadee. As the stop in Haiti was planned, many UK insurance companies voided policies for the whole holiday even if you stayed on board.
I’ve cruised all over the place and the few times in the Caribbean I’ve felt a little uncomfortable I’ve just kept to the main drag and headed back to the port area.
Wherever I travel, some areas of the UK I work, especially London, are just a dangerous as cruise destination.
Gary I have to say this has discouraged me from travelling in the north Caribbean. Pickpockets are one thing, gangs are another. We do go to Cancun area every year but stay within the resort mostly and have never had an issue even when we venture into town.
I've heard how bad Jamaica can be, but I've been to Cozumel 4 times and never really had any issues but I never veered away from a cruise sanctioned excursion or the port. It's sad that the Bahamas are on this list too.
Falmouth and Ocho Rios are fine for Jamaica and the port is right at the town so it’s an easy walk back to the ship whenever you’re ready to go but the Montego Bay port is not an easy walk to town (it’s a taxi ride away) and the town is sketchy so skip that one!
I have my pockets inside out while walking in Rome. People pointed at my pockets and were smiling.
I where a vest with deep pockets and zippers, nothing of importance in other pockets.
Well here’s an interesting first hand experience in Rome. My wife and I hop into a taxi. She jumps into the back seat to find an high end camera left behind. We know it’s high end because my wife was a professional photographer. The driver says OMG, I remember where I dropped those people off. Do you mind if we go there first? We, of course, say sure. He takes off like a bat out of hell as Rome taxi drivers do and we arrive at a hotel and he runs in to the hotel and finds the previous passengers who are totally grateful. He refuses a tip. Then drives back to the stand where we jumped in and turns on the meter before driving us to our destination. There are still some good people!
That is great, may be I try that one day, too.
...ok
I out a mousetrap in my pocket.
So very thankful you are a wise wise traveler. The poverty in the island has got ton even worse! When I traveled to the islands 50 yrs ago it was a lovely place to visit. Never ever put a toe off the ship in Jamaica ,Hattie , The Bahamas, Saint Croix. Actually DONT GO,!
If the citizens don’t get you the Sharks will.
Anywhere in Mexico, anywhere!.,., the poverty is so horrible, don’t risk it..
Just don’t go ! Stay safe!
I’m a single white Irish girl and I’ve been to Jamaica 5 times and 3 of them were alone! I felt perfectly safe but you don’t flaunt anything and always keep you wits and remain vigilant.
we go to Jamaica every winter for several weeks. It's not a place I would cruise to, mainly because there's not much to see there except the tourist trap places and parks. Like all islands, exploring on your own can be dangerous. We never had any problems
Don’t worry - the people who cruise to Jamaica are big chickens anyway and never leave the fenced port
I've travelled enough in my life. Toto and I are just going to explore around our home state of Kansas from now on...!
The feeling in the air changes dramatically beyond the gates of the confines of the port in Falmouth Jamaica. That definitely should get a mention in here, especially as Falmouth is becoming more increasingly used due to damage to the port in Ocho Rios.
We docked at some strange area of Ocho Rios,me being a big guy walked until I found a local restaurant and souvenir shop,
where I was asked for money and vaguely threatened but then headed back to the ship.