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Police investigating crimes against cruisers in Nassau

November 23, 2009

Tourist safety is a concern in Nassau, Bahamas, after recent robberies of cruise groups on shore excursions.

Last week, two groups on a Segway tour were robbed by armed men. A month earlier, an armed robbery of cruise passengers occurred near the Queen's Staircase attraction.

The Bahamas' national security minister, Tommy Turnquest, pledged that patrols would be stepped up throughout Nassau.

On Nov. 20, passengers on the Disney Wonder and Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas were touring the Earth Village attraction on a Segway tour near the port when they were reportedly accosted by men armed with shotguns at about 1 p.m.

The attackers tied up the Bahamian tour guide with the first group and ordered them to the ground before robbing them of money, cell phones, passports and credit cards.

One passenger reportedly was gun-butted by the thugs but was not seriously injured.

While the robbery was occurring, a second group of tourists arrived. They were held up by the same men.

Disney Cruise Line has responded by no longer offering the Segway tour in Nassau. Royal Caribbean said it has suspended the tour until a full investigation can be completed.

In a statement, Disney said, "We were shocked to hear about the robbery of Disney Cruise Line guests who participated in the Segway tour in Nassau. We took immediate action by canceling the tour from our list of shore excursions.

"No guests were injured, and our shipboard and shoreside teams worked closely with them once back aboard, to make certain their needs were met. The crime was reported to Bahamian police, who are investigating the situation."

A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman said, "We are in communication with port and government authorities regarding this incident, and what can be done to prevent it from occurring again."

The incident follows a robbery of cruise passengers on Oct. 11 near the Queen’s Staircase, a popular attraction in Nassau. Two masked men reportedly held the tourists at gunpoint and robbed them of cash and possessions.

Vernice Walkine, director general of tourism, said that criminal acts against tourists "make it more difficult to promote the country as a place to consider for a vacation."

Johanna Jainchill contributed to this report.

From 1 to 5 of 17 Comment(s)

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#17December 13, 2009
You know what I must say out of the 18 comments it is a shame that only two people have something good and descent to say about the Bahamas. I have traveled all over the united states and I must say my experiance has never once been plesant. However does that stop me from wanting to experiance some new land, do I close my mind up and pass judgment on the US or anywhere - travel no, because no place on earth is perfect everywhere has flaws. Americans are never satasified and to be honest I have never been to a more dirtier environment then that of the US. I have never met people anywhere on earth that has such deplorable un helpful and rude attitudes like many Americans. I have never sceen a place that has crime rate that esclates as high as that of the United States of America. The Bahamas may have it's flaws but so does many places some of you call home. Your the stupid ones for going t
#16December 08, 2009
Look - good Travel Agents will tell you that crime happens everywhere. Tourists get robbed in Washington and LA, Alabama has a hundred times more unsolved murders than Aruba, Honeymooners are robbed/murdered in France, youhave a much better chance on contract H1N1 in Philadelphia than you do in Mexico, and you have a much better chance of being killed in a car accident in Illinois than being mugged on St. Lucia. This is life. This is humanity. This is civilization.
#15December 01, 2009
Nassau is one of my FAVORITE places to visit, it is not boring but filled with culture and beauty. We are going on a cruise to Nassau that leaves in 18 days, we will still do all of the things we usually do. All places that we live, visit or wonder about have crime, we have just learned about this because it happened to cruise passengers. Did you ever think Nassau was crime free???? Tourists make themselves easy targets, be mindful of your surroundings and don't go places you have no idea where they lead. It is sad and I am happy no one was seriously injured! My husband and I call Nassau "home" because we love it and continue to return to the beautiful island.
#14December 01, 2009
I suspect most reader's comments are Travel Agents or have some stake in the Travel Industry. If neither, they likely take vacations including travel. It seems anytime there is an incident relating to travel we just smash the destination (cruise line / resort) to pieces and our business with it; or in the case of travelers, their dreams. What city anywhere, with an approximate population of 260,000 does not have some crime. Such a place with ideal citizens, would have no need for law enforcement. That place does not exist. My fiance' and I are travel agents and going on a cruise in January with a port call in Nassau. We have never been there before. We have been planning & looking forward our Group Wedding Cruise since March. We believe we will enjoy it. Following it, we will inspect 1 ship & go on our Honeymoon Cruise. 3 ships, 9 new ports, & 14 days of making memories & having fun.
#13November 27, 2009
To the defense of Bahamas and its citizens. You cannot put down an island because of an incident. We in america have worse crimes. Most of the crimes that is done abroad stems from television and things seen from Satalite and Cable. My friends visit the Bahamas no one wants to come back to america. The bottom line is we are living in a society where crimes in on the rise. No matter where you go. Thank the lord no one was seriously hurt. We as a nation just need stiffer punishments for crimes, we should make offenders afraid to do any crimes. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
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