fear of travel
 

okay, I'll broach the subject....anyone slightly afraid of cruising in light of 9/11 and the latest reports? We have a cruise planned in january, and I'm not totally sure I'm feeling anxious/excited or anxious/nervous...Those of you who do this more often, words of wisdom, please.

I guess if it's my time to go I'd rather be on my way someplace or returning home from someplace rather than being in my kitchen!

Kris:<BR>I have a cruise planned at the end of January and although I was hesitant at first (who wasn't), now I am not afraid to travel. I'm sure that the persons responsible for the horrible events of 9/11 would delight in knowing that we Americans are cowering in fear and disrupting our lives. They would also love to see our economy go belly up. I feel that I could walk outside of my home or office and a bomb could go off in front of me. Or I could board my train home and it could be disabled. Or I could be in a mall shopping for Christmas and and it could explode. I believe that a devastating consequence of the events of 9/11 is our fear of the next attack. That is exactly what they hoped to accomplish. With the next safety checks in place and heightened awareness, we must try to trust that someone greater than us is watching out after us. Let yourself be excited and happy about your upcoming trip...you deserve it!! Just my $.02 worth.

cathy and sally....thanks. My reasoning sometimes gets muddled in the middle of the night.

I took a Cruise on Carnival's Victory on Sepember 29. Flew Atlanta Boston and cruised for 7 glorious nights.<BR>I felt very safe. The cruise lines have beefed up security. We had Military Escort in and out of Ports, Ex-Navy Seals diving under the ship upon entering and before leaving Ports. Immigration screened everyone, even US Citizens, which they have not done in the past.<BR>Your Ship Id (sign and sail card, which is also room key) was put through an electronic scanner each time you left or returned to the ship.<BR>Flights were also on time, security took a little longer, but who cares.<BR>As Sally said, if its my time, I would rather be having Fun.

Kris, I chose a cruise because I didn't want to fly and we are able to drive to our port. For some reason I never worried about security with a cruise ship. Then in my trip research I happened upon a site that told all the measures that were being taken to protect the ships and if I had been worried I wouldn't be any more. I know how those middle of the night thoughts can be and I am a worrier, but for some reason I haven't given this a second thought. I hope you have a wonderful cruise in January and come back and tell us all about it.

Recently returned from KW...I wasn't on a cruise but a lot of ships dock in Mallory Square. <BR><BR>Security is tight. Navy Seals, concrete barriers, Coast Guard, Police, etc. <BR><BR>I don't know about ports outside the US but I know that KW security is good. <BR><BR>Hope this helps. <BR><BR>Also, a web site called cruise-addicts.com is excellent. Just read a post about the security in KW...I guess they also had dogs for security on board....<BR><BR>I personally have flown twice since 9/11. My kids have flown on three different planes for a total of six different times. My husband has flown four times. All trips were Delta. All had happy outcomes. <BR><BR>Don't be afraid. Get out there. Help the economy get moving again.

One positive delight is that on a cruise there is always something to do to keep your mind busy. Not like sitting on a beach or sitting in your hotel room on a rainy day.<BR><BR>Paul

Just returned from flying and a cruise.<BR><BR>I can assure you that security is tight on both the ship and the planes. I felt very safe in both places.<BR><BR>I had my bags checked 3x, they also went through some explosive test at Miami airport.<BR><BR>All of my carryon bags were xrayed everytime I entered the ship. I had to show ID several times at different cruise ports to even enter the building to enter the ship.<BR><BR>Security is definitely one of their top concerns.

KW? Please don't assume people know what your are talking about Alyssa. Where in the world is KW?

Key West I think.

Yes, but it could mean Kawabata, Kuwait or Kwajalein.<BR><BR>Let's get some clarification here.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul - <BR><BR>Mallory Square IS in Key West.

Have been a 2 different cruises that docked in Key West and neither of them docked at Mallory Square! You know there may be more than one Mallory Square in this big wide world!

Don't get offended Theresa. I was just kidding around.<BR><BR>Paul

Hi,<BR><BR>Getting back to the original question, I thought I'd mention that travel in the new world order can be a little weird. I was actually on the "final" voyage of the Norway on Sept 11th. It was a somewhat surreal experience. Talk about feeling cut off from the rest of the world. We were literally cu off froom the rest of the world as we were 2 days out of St. Johns New Brunswick, and 2 days away from Greenock. There wasn't anything we could really do but sit there and feel devestated. We live in Manhattan, so you can imagined how upsetting it was. We managed to get thru on the phone to some people and it appeared that everyone we knew was OK. However we began to wonder what would happen once we got to Europe (ie. could we get home.) We were to return on the QE2. Would it sail, and, if not, could we ever get a flight? After a while things seemed to settle down, and since the word from home was we should all go on with our lives, we decided to just carry on and enjoy ourselves. We did just that, visiting Scotland, Dublin, Normandy, Southampton, spending 4 days in Warrington, Eng (near Liverpool) with a friend and then embarking on QE2 for the ride home. Everything wet off without a hitch, tho we ended up docking in Boston, as, obviously NY harbor was closed. It seemed that security everywhere was the same as always, but there were lots of mixed feelings-- like feeling totally safe at sea vs. terribly vulnerable; wanting to get home (feeling guilty about not being there) vs. happy to have been away during all that. Luckily nothing else happened while we were away, and still has not happened since!! despite all the threats and "alerts". When you consider the possible target times here in NY- the world series, Halloween, the Marathon and even the Macy's T'giving day parade, I'd say we are doing OK. (although the Belle Harbor crash did not help anyone' nerves) I guess my point is that we have to live our lives. You can't just cancel everything, and worrying won't help. Things happen in life, but we need to go on. I did, and despite it all, had a great time. One I will certainly never forget!!<BR><BR>Best wishes for the New Year to all. Happy sailing.

Excellent post Bill. I hope everyone gets to read it.<BR><BR>Paul

Wasn't offended Paul.

A little off subject, perhaps, but Bill: Did you happen to run into Stephen Card or Ben Lyons on that Norway sailing (both friends of mine)? Ben writes for Porthole Magazine and e-mailed a really nice piece to the editor from the ship. It appeared in the December issue.

Bill,<BR>Thanks for an Excellent Post.<BR>We appreciate your thoughts. All of us have New Yorkers in our thoughts and prayers.