I'll "depart" summer (or anytime) travel safety advice with one final topic -- cruises. While a cruise ship is probably the safest place for a vacation, travelers still need to adopt basic measures to avoid becoming a crime victim.
Although I won't repeat recent suggestions about safe-keeping essential documents, wallet contents, and so forth, experts do advise other approaches -- some of which seem common sense and others new protection methods.
I've never vacationed on a cruise ship; therefore, it's hard to imagine thousands of other folk (some of whom may not be on the up-and-up) milling around me on an enormous floating city.
Cabin safety is paramount. I've learned cabin keys aren't automatically changed as often as those in a hotel, which is a frightening thought indeed, so cruisers need to take extra precautions.
When you get to your cabin, keep the door wide open while you carefully check it out. Use all the door locks when you're inside, especially when you go to bed for the evening and never open the door to strangers. Also, make certain to use the purser's safe for valuables (leave the good jewelry at home), important papers, or any other article you wish to keep safe.
Only when I investigated did I discover room safes aren't necessarily safe at all because the crew often knows the bypass codes.
Be sensible if you drink and gamble. Just like on land, too many beers or Margaritas compromise judgment, perception and behavior. The big difference is that a cruise ship is filled with several thousand of your nearest and no-so-dearest and law enforcement is not just a phone call away.
Gambling, too, can be risky if you play for high stakes or win a big jackpot; either way, folks notice. Again, use the purser's safe to stash your winnings and even request an escort to walk you to that location. Long corridors on different decks often mean many miles of halls to get from one area to another. Don't be a target for crime.
Leave the purse onboard when debarking to exotic ports. (See July 11th column.) Most crimes occur when passengers go ashore. If not traveling with a security tool, then place funds, ID and a credit card in your front pant pocket or an inside jacket pocket. (In fact, keep these strategies in mind when making a packing list prior to the trip.) Although cruise lines set up shore excursions, you might save a buck or two going it alone.
On the other hand, sightseeing with the approved trek gives some assurance of quality and safety as long as vacationers don't separate from the group to take a special photo, don't socialize with the locals, and don't flash money.
And now that I've scared you silly, have a wonderful trip.
Ellen Phillips is a retired English teacher who has written two consumer-oriented books. Her Consumer Watch column appears on Saturdays in the Business section of the paper. An expanded version is at www.timesfreepress.com under Local Business. E-mail her at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com
Ellen Phillips is a retired English teacher who has written two consumer-oriented books. Her Consumer Watch column appears on Saturdays in the Business section of the paper. An expanded version is at www.timesfreepress.com under Local Business.
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