Travelers are unsure about visiting ports where active travel advisories apply Reports have emerged of a sexual assault involving two Carnival Cruise Line passengers in the Bahamas.
The passengers, two women from Kentucky, alleged they were drugged and sexually assaulted on Grand Bahama Island. Two men were arrested by Bahamas police last week on suspicion of the crime.
Since 2018 The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 advisory for the Bahamas, urging travelers to “exercise increased caution” due to criminal activity. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas recently launched a security alarm attention to recent murders in Nassau.
Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson’s attorney, Nicholas Gerson, told USA TODAY last week that his clients were not aware of any warning from Carnival regarding the Bahamas.
A Carnival representative, Matt Lupoli, said in an email that the onboard team regularly provides safety briefings to guests on shore. However, he did not respond to Gerson’s statements.
The Bahamas government is pushing back, claiming the country is “safe.”
On January 30, the Bahamian Tourism Board website published a official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office to assure visitors that the country “alert, attentive and proactive” and that the archipelago “remains a safe and welcoming destination.”
The office added that these incidents “do not reflect the overall safety in the Bahamas, a country with sixteen tourist destinations and many more islands,” referring to the 18 murders in Nassau since the beginning of the year that were detailed in the most recent crime alert for the Bahamas.
“Our law enforcement agencies are taking rigorous steps to uphold our well-deserved reputation, including increased police presence and additional police resources (including facial recognition video surveillance technology) and training,” the statement read.
How to stay safe in port during cruises
Before making a reservation, Carrie Pasquarello, CEO and co-founder of Global Secure Resources Inc., recommends learning more about the location. “Our goal is to ensure that our travelers are proactive, well prepared and aware of both level advisories and risk indicators,” she said.
To get more context, it is also recommended to look at warnings from countries such as the United States, Canada or Australia. “Since each country has a unique risk assessment and perspective, I would like to have a comprehensive overview of the place I plan to visit,” she continued.
In the case of American travelers, they can also sign up for the The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Smart Traveler Enrollment Programwho will provide them with security details about where they are going, and provide assistance if the U.S. Embassy needs to contact them in an emergency.
Jafeldma Travel company owner Jared Feldman insists on arranging a scheduled shore excursion when you go ashore. “Try to travel with other people, and don’t necessarily be alone,” he advised, adding it is helpful to observe other standard safety measures, such as being aware of your surroundings and exploring during the day.
