Security:

Safety and Security

First and foremost the cruise industry’s highest priority is to ensure the safety and security of its passengers and crew. Cruise ships are inherently secure because they are a controlled environment with limited access. Under normal circumstances security programs are stringent. But, in light of recent events, we have strengthened those programs even further. In order to maintain an effective and meaningful security environment our member lines have established strict and highly confidential security procedures that cannot, for obvious reasons, be discussed in detail.

Your clients, however, should be very comfortable with the additional security measures they see during their cruise vacation. This includes increased inspections of luggage and carry-on articles, additional security personnel and controls, and the use of canine inspections.

Our member lines are working closely with local, state, federal and international authorities such as the port authorities where our ships call, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Customs Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Interpol. This will enhance the safety and security of everyone onboard our ships. Additionally, our member lines have Security Officers who are responsible for enforcing security procedures onboard the ship.

At U.S. cruise terminals, port security includes screening procedures similar to those found at airports. These procedures include the use of metal detectors for embarking passengers. Photo identification is required for all guests, crew members and visitors who board any of our ships. The following documents are required for all passengers boarding our member lines:

• US Citizens – A passport or a birth certificate (original or certified copy) plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency are required. A voter registration card or Social Security card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID card.
• Non-US Citizens – Valid passports and visas (when needed) are required in addition to Alien Registration Cards (ARC or "Green Cards") if an individual is a Resident Alien living in the United States. Certain Canadian and Mexican citizens may travel with alternative documentation depending on their alien status in the United States.
• For customs and immigration purposes, guests are also required to have necessary visa, passport and other travel authorization documents based upon their nationality and country of residence.

The cruise industry has responded with determination to help its customers to fulfill their long awaited vacation plans. If your customer is scheduled on a cruise that either begins or ends in New York City, ships are being diverted to other ports for the time being. However, by repositioning our ships to other ports, customers have more flexibility in reaching their embarkation ports by driving or taking the train. At least for the time being, captains of some ships are attempting to arrive at disembarkation ports several hours earlier than scheduled to allow passengers with tight flight schedules to arrive at the airport as required. With the return of air transportation we expect the situation to improve for our passengers.

It is our hope that we have answered some of your questions regarding the safety and security of passengers while on a cruise ship. In addition, we strongly suggest that your customer’s best source of information is to contact the cruise line directly or they can link directly to the cruise line web sites via ICCL’s web site at www.ICCL.org or the CLIA web site http://www.cruising.org/. For further information on the status of U.S. ports you can visit www.aapa-ports.org and for updated information from the U.S. Coast Guard you can visit www.uscg.mil/safeports/.

These are difficult times that call for extraordinary measures, patience and a strong determination to overcome difficulties that are not of our making. The cruise industry is up to the challenge!

The Cruise Line Coalition is a joint communications initiative
of the major cruise line organizations

The Cruise Line Coalition, a communication partnership of the major cruise line associations, is working with the cruise lines and travel agents regarding the new requirements. "This is an immediate issue of extreme importance to travel retailers selling cruise vacations," says Bob Sharak, executive director of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Cruise lines will be asking for this additional passenger information prior to January 1, 2003. The cruise lines will be communicating directly with agents regarding the specifics and data collection details. In the meantime, travel agents who have questions are encouraged to contact the lines directly.