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Cruise Travel Safety & Security
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Barcelona rescue workers "evacuate" a cruise ship during a joint Disaster Response Simulation
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Memory of the terrible events of September 11, 2001 may have diminished, but a trip to any airport these days reveals security measures we aren't likely to see lessen soon. Things we more or less took for granted in the past seem lost to a more carefree time. As we move freely about our own country and take steps into other parts of the world, safety and security are the focus of heightened concern for many.
Should you travel? No one can make that decision for you. Immediately after 9/11, it seemed prudent to stay put. Some people canceled their cruising plans and no one was critical of their choice. Everyone has to live within their own zone of comfort and Americans in increasing numbers are presently taking to the sky and sea.
We travel for many different reasons. Some people have a thirst for exploration and cultural enrichment, while others simply need the relaxation and tranquility of a vacation. Travel brings us together with people of many nations and promotes understanding of foreign cultures. My comfort level tells me to do what I love best--travel on ships. To that end, I haven't altered my plans over the years; however, I have changed my expectations.
A simple trip to the airport isn't as simple as it once was. Preparation and planning are more important than ever.
Packing for Secure Travel
Hints from Magellan's Catalog, the choice of serious travelers:
Your Checked Luggage: Organize!!! Using packing organizers makes things much easier if security should need to check inside your bag. If you pack with Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes or Pack-It Folders, it is easy for authorities to inspect bit-by-bit, rather than riffling through a whole pile of clothes. If you can find problem items quickly, you'll be able to finish an inspection faster.
Your Carry-on: Take less stuff Expect to have your carryon bags thoroughly searched and take as few things as possible. Try putting all your little things, like pens and lipsticks, into Pack-It Sacs or Pack-It Cubes, inside a larger tote or cabin bag. This will make it much easier to empty and re-pack your bag. You may find it's easier to choose a bag without lots of small pockets to empty and reload.
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- Going "Bare" -- This has nothing to do with sunbathing in the buff. Here's the scoop on protecting your cruise investment and yourself.
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Air & Sea: Solutions for the Landlocked -- The facts about cruise line Air & Sea Programs and missing the boat.
- Ship Happens -- Bad weather, mechanical problems, and political unrest can set your itinerary and plans adrift.
- Cruising into Hurricane Season -- "Official" hurricane season consumes a full six months of the year. It doesn't have to spoil your cruise.
Archive of FOCUS Articles
Cruise News -- The latest information regarding cruise lines and ports.
Photograph © Linda Coffman
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