The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. It is still illegal for tourists to take the products off-site. She was sentenced in November to 7 years in prison. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Just remember: No takeout is allowed. The only thing sadder than the security getting on the ship is US Customs and Border Patrol during disembarkment. Along with the organizers of the event, we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement to ensure the welfare of all guests attending the festival. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, http://www.cruisejunkie.com/events2009.html, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. It is a legit question. For instance, despite efforts by Femke Halsema, mayor of Amsterdam, to ban tourists from the citys famous coffee shops, you may still legally light up in these cafe-like establishments. Discovery Company. The containership which was built in 2020 Copyright 2023 The Maritime Executive, LLC. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hi, I'm Jenni. Its also illegal to light up in any U.S. national park and for much of your cruise in the Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska you are in national parkland. cruise have posted advice on social media forums about the best ways to smuggle banned substances onto the ship, including. The sisker method to smuggling dope onto a cruise ship. At page 14 of its website under Safety at Sea it states: Our new Care Team is here to help! Your Email OP, you said the dog got a hit on your room. In 2018, police detained about four dozen Holy Ship! Passengers Arrested Reportedly Trying to Smuggle Drugs onto Allure of the Seas for Atlantis Cruise, Atlantis Events' New Social Media Policy Misses the Mark, Six Drug-Smuggling Passengers Arrested in Santos, Brazil Preparing to Board Costa Diadema with 30 Kilos of Cocaine, Three Gangs Totaling a Dozen Guests From MSC Seaside Arrested in Two Ports for Smuggling 66 Kilos of Cocaine, Is Royal Caribbean Ready for Medical Emergencies During the Worlds Largest Gay Cruise, Another Death on a Royal Caribbean Atlantis Cruise, or join the discussion on our Facebook page, MSC Cruises Crew Member Caught Filming Women in Bathroom, Health Hazard! I know that I am safe from DW becoming a "drug mule". Does that mean you cant smoke marijuana on your cruise vacation? Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. I am not asking about crack or something. There was a knock on our stateroom door in the earlymorning. JP Morgan's asset management arm, which owns the ship, and MSC together paid $50 million in cash and a surety bond to secure its temporary release. Archive - A British couple in their 70s have been jailed for eight years after trying to smuggle 1 million of cocaine into Europe on a luxury Caribbean cruise. CBP officers secured the bricks of. For the intent of the law you only need be within 100 miles of the border. 2 Canadian Women Accused of Smuggling $22 Million in Cocaine into Australia on Cruise Ship Over 200 pounds were seized by Australian Border Protection. Be the first to rate this post. I fail to see any reason why she would lie to us about that. Advertising - Most foreign-produced illicit drugs available in the United States are smuggled into the country overland across the borders with Mexico and, to a much lesser extent, Canada (see Table 1). On June 6, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confiscated 32 kilograms of cocaine uncovered by security agents aboard a nameless cruise liner. We have no criminal records. But it did make me wonder whether some of the airline employees who handle our baggage could be involved in drug smuggling. It would be an interesting retrospective to read these again now as seasoned adults. They were removed at the next port and turned over to authorities. If a guest is in possession of a drug that is illegal under US law, the ship's security team is required to detain them and - at best - disembark you and all your stuff at the next port, no refund and you're responsible to make your own way home. Roberge was nabbed in August 2016 aboard the luxury cruise ship MS Sea Princess when drug-sniffing dogs unearthed 95 kilograms (209 pounds) of cocaine spread across four suitcases in two cabins. RELATED: The ultimate guide to booking cruises to Alaska. An elderly British couple have been sentenced to eight years in prison for smuggling cocaine worth 1m on a luxury cruise ship. I can't even believe someone would post this. Customs and Border Protection officers seized bricks of cocaine weighing 69.5 pounds on a cruise ship last week, the agency said. The use of older people explains why the elderly and wheelchair-bound people are often seen being frisked. Thanks for contacting us. As part of your ocean or river cruise from Amsterdam, you might consider exploring the scene on a ganja walking tour. On June 6, CBP officers met the cruise ship and security team during a maintenance stop at Port Everglades, and the packages of white powder tested positive for cocaine, CBP said. Now that we can't lock our bags unless we use TSA locks or cable ties, how difficult would it be to open the bags and load them with contraband at the departure city, and then have someone grab them off the carousel at the destination. EDM cruise events. We just applied for trusted traveler status for DW and the literature makes it clear that the status does not preclude searches or other security measures including random ones. Guest. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. That was the first clue. Does that mean that when I am silver haired and walking with a cane that I can be gainfully employed??? He said he does not look for people to randomly check, but rather he looks for people who are looking for him. The CBPs Advanced Tactical Cargo Enforcement Team performed a thorough inspection of the ship and did not find any other contraband, the agency said. All I had was prescriptionsso there was nothing of course. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. The smugglers were arrested while disembarking the ship at the port of Valencia last Sunday, following a Transatlantic cruise from Brazil. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Powered by Invision Community. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. *Data as of December 1, 2009; table includes seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, and MDMA. drugs, why do they use drugs? They ended up under cabin confinement with a security officer standing guard round the clock outside their door. As alaw-abiding citizens andworld traveler , I just didnt feel the freedom. I have my share of bad habits, but drugs isn't one of them..so he ran off. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Plenty of people smoke pot. My friends and I want to bring some Coke and some Molly. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Did you hang out with them on the cruise? Some cruise companies have resumed operations in other parts of the world, including MSC Cruises and Costa Cruise Lines in Europe. But most of it will. the worst thing to fear is bringing it on board from where ever You docks. That's right Rev. No we did not know the other people. Our state room attendant told us that this happens just about every week. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Gainfully perhaps isn't the best word to use. The vessel is designed to collect debris from the waters and is part of the companys environmental efforts. CC Help Jenn Cookie Policy - We are from Canada so I do not know the legalities. Find the right card for you. The senior citizens posed as tourists taking cruise holidays around South America to pick up packages of the drug to bring back to Spain. How can you call it random when half the back to back cruisers were raided? Local 10 News reports thata Homeland Security special agent intercepted emails from the government-issued computer of Peter Melendez, age 35, (Facebook page here), who is a government contractor at the Pentagon, andRobert Koehler, age 27, (Facebook page here), discussing their strategy to distribute the smuggled drugs to other passengers on the ship. Hi Chuck, hopefully its not a case of never again if the cruise lines change their stance on medical marijuana then Ill definitely update this post. With airline baggage limits what they are today, people started noticing she kept wearing the exact same dress throughout the whole cruise. Has anyone cruised recently, post Covid, that would know the security around weed. The other woman was also older, very large, and was wearing a dress which revealed swollen feet and legs. The hotel has a rooftop hot tub among the areas where you might enjoy your purchase. Cocaine smuggling: The bizarre tactics used to hide drugs 16 July 2019 Polica Nacional on Twitter @policia A Colombian man was caught with cocaine under his wig at the Josep Tarradellas. A week before that Royal Caribbean/Atlantis cruise, I wroteIs Royal Caribbean Ready for Medical Emergencies During the Worlds Largest Gay Cruise? Smaller ports are less likely to use sniffer dogs. If the metal detector beeps, you may either be scanned again with a hand-held metal detector or patted down by hand. There was a knock on our stateroom door in the earlymorning. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By It is thought the drug was collected when the cruise ship stopped in Brazil Another seven members of the ring were also arrested, including two who were to collect the drugs from the women when their ship docked in Spain, and the alleged leader of the operation who attempted to flee to Brazil. I like this site because people ask questions that are cruise-related but not always specific to just one ship. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. We each got called in a couple of times to answer questions because they said thedog got a hit in the room. I'm heading out on a carnival ship on the 20th of this month and have been back and forth about trying to bring 2 dab pens on with me thrown in my makeup bag. At the beginning of this week, MSC kicked off its expanded service into Central Africa with the arrival of MSC Virgo (157,000 dwt) at the Port of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Okay, I keep trying to talk myself down and this post helps. They could turn You in, bring You own and have a good time, leave the locals alone . It depends on where you are cruising. In years past, a limited number of attendees for the Holy Ship! If any guest or crew member is caught possessing or taking drugs, they will be sent home at the next port of call. In addition, foreign governments at Norwegian Cruise Line ports of call have strict laws that address drug possession. You are here on vacation, and we truly want you to go home feeling rested, not exhausted.. It actually feels like a civil rights violation even though law permits it. Cruise authorities notified CBP investigators deployed to Port Everglades ahead of the . The economy is bad, but hopefully not THIS bad. And if the drug sniffers find anything, the unaware passengers are the ones who are going to get the heat. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Officials say the record drug haul worth $22 million dollars was found in the luggage of two women aboard a cruise ship in Australia. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. The third accomplice in the infamous "Cocaine Babe" cruise ship drug smuggling ring has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for his part in trafficking 207 pounds of cocaine aboard a . Actually, a better question is if you noticed the dog alerting? (Enrollment required for select benefits.). The security people were actually running the wand up under her dress in the middle of the room where everyone was passing by. That way, if there are any questions asked about the drugs, you can prove they you are legally allowed to take them. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers seized 69.5 Pounds (31.5 Kilos) of cocaine discovered by the security services of a cruise ship, who handed over the contraband last week upon docking into Port Everglades. Other Atlantis Events cruise parties have been marred by drug overdoses and deaths over the years. Taking a cruise next month and preparing..I get so paranoid about this. We also do not need to go through airport security, we just want to know how to get it aboard the ship. Two travelers from Washington D.C. were arrested on Sunday, February 3, after trying to smuggle drugs in their luggage onboard a cruise ship docked in PortMiami Florida, police said.. 35-year-old Peter Melendez and 27-year-old Robert Koehler were detained after an officer intercepted emails sent through a computer Melendez used as a government contractor. We opened the door and It was a customs search team. There are informants who blow the whistle on smuggling crew or passengers and dogs are not even needed. Just put them in your hand luggage and be sure to bring a copy of your prescription with you. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Some shops have added loaded gelato. Most people dont realize how different being at sea is and how the combination of motion, sun, and late hours can sneak up on you. Rough! Everything Cruise Lines Don't Want You to Know. The security woman pushed me to the side and went after my husband. You are right.I was offended for these ladies who I thought appeared to be quite helpless. If they were accusing you, I would have expected a vigorous re-search of the specific spaces where the dog alerted. This information allcomes up with a passport check. Last weekend, more than a dozen passengers waiting to board an electronic dance music (EDM) cruise were arrested in Port Canaveral for alleged possession of illicit drugs. The potentially "guilty" scan the crowds looking for a possible agent, instead of being like the rest of us who are merely looking for our ubiquitous black unmarked luggage among the rest of the ubiquitous black luggage. by Was this a group traveling together? We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. By Smuggling drugs on cruise ships forum smuggling drugs on cruise . Its important to know the cruise ship rules because violations come with stiff penalties as several cruise passengers have learned in recent years. On a much more serious note, I have always said that for every drug lord, there are hundreds or thousands of users out there. I remember thinking that if the dog actually sniffedsomething out they would know what and where. She also admitted smuggling in the drugs, saying shed been given an ultimatum by an unnamed person to clear a $20,000 debt. Such . Planning a cruise? I also have many security clearances because of my former career. Whoever it was, was covering the peep hole so we couldnt see. The Maritime Executive. Victor. In the 2011 incident, Customs and Border Protection agents searched Krumholzs cabin and reportedly found more than 142 ecstasy pills, nearly 3 grams of methamphetamine, a small quantity of ketamine and about $51,000 in cash. The second clue is she didn't have room left in her luggage even for a toothbrush which led to the second clue. CBP says it seized about 3,677 pounds of drugs in a typical day in 2020. Our state room attendant was a wonderful woman with a long career with Royal Caribbean. Simple answer is that likely one of the back to backers was thought to have drugs, usually somone tips off the authorities, they don't just bring the dog on, so they decided to samplemore than one cabin. # 1. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. By Cruise officials alerted CBP officers assigned to Port Everglades seaport that a vessel inspection had found garbage bags with brick-shaped packages in a void space of the ship. Whoever it was, was covering the peep hole so we couldnt see. The Maritime Executive, Published Due to the high cost of drinks on cruise ships, a lot of people try to speak alcohol on board. Hmmmm, I am picturing you walking with a cane, smuggling cocaine. Cruise ship passengers arent routinely patted down when boarding a cruise ship, although you will be asked to walk through a metal detector. drugs on cruises. We've received your submission. Glad I always take not only my walker but also rent a scooter. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. If you plan on bringing drugs on a cruise ship, you should make sure that you also bring your prescription. The classic method is to empty a bottle of, say, wintergreen mouthwash, sterilize the bottle with boiling water, and let it dry. Wrap it in your unmentionables, and the odds of ship security discovering it are slim. CNN A cruise ship's security services discovered 69.5 pounds of cocaine on board the vessel last week and turned over the haul to US Customs and Border Protection officers upon docking at a. In an open letter to the head of Royal Caribbean after Joel Taylor's suspected overdose, he wrote: "If three people had died from drug overdoses at a nightclub on land, that club would be shut. UK Ports Group ABP Commits $2.4B for Net Zero Transition, Edda Wind Accelerates Growth Ordering CSOVs from Vard, MOLs Smallest Ship Collects Marine Debris off Bali, MSC Expands Central African Service Leveraging Bollor Acquisition, Record Number of Methanol-Fueled Ships Ordered Reports DNV, Ship it to Zero Cites Major Brands for Emissions from Imports, UK Union Plans More Strikes in North Sea Offshore Sector, Odfjell Designs Large Floating Wind Foundation for Harsh Environments, How Australia Managed to Eradicate its Zebra Mussel Infestation, Advanced Nuclear Power Could Transform U.S. Maritime Industry, The Maritime Executive's Annual Cruise Edition is Out Now, "Operation Breakthrough": Remembering a Rare Thaw in the Cold War, The Evolution of Class: From Lloyd's Coffee House to Modern Expertise. I had an elaborate plan to sneak on vodka in a mouthwash bottle by careful removing the safety-seal, using food coloring, and putting the seal back on. Thing is, some are not harmless. Hope the cruise itself was wonderful and that you had a fun time! Cruise ship employees are drug tested before they begin working on a cruise ship and they are also subject to random drug testing. Dubbed the Cocaine Babe, Lagace had documented her global journey on the cruise which made stops across the US, South America and the Pacific with dozens of bikini-clad Instagram posts of her and Roberge. Drug subs are stealth vessels favored by smugglers to discreetly move tons of cocaine, marijuana . The UKs leading ports group, Associated British Ports (ABP), has unveiled an ambitious $2.4 billion green growth and sustainability plan that is designed to decarbonize operations by 2040. Wow, I have never heard of this happening. The news station stated that the men were arrested on charges of illegal drug trafficking with Melendez charged with intent to trafficMDMA. I am still wondering how anyone could expect to hide over 50 pounds of cocaine in a cabin! That said, the security teams main priority isnt to look for drugs, as they have other things to be concerned with. Not exactly. Your cruise vacation will come to an abrupt halt.