PIRATES ON A CRUISE SHIP?! Here's what happens! MSC World Europa, Gulf of Aden
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- Опубликовано: 15 апр 2023
- Hi everyone!
Today, I'm coming to you from MSC World Europa, which is one of the newest cruise ships from MSC Cruises. Since launching, this ship has been based in the Middle East, cruising around cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Doha, but it's now time for her to make the move over to Europe for her first season cruising around the Mediterranean.
As part of this relocation, the ship navigates through the Suez Canal, one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world. Enroute to the canal, we must sail through the Gulf of Aden, an area that's unfortunately famous for some attempted (and some successful) pirates attacks that have taken place in the past. Although pirate activity involving cruise ships is rare, it's imperative that cruise lines treat these threats with maximum respect, in order to keep all passengers and the vessels safe.
In this video, I'll talk you through the details that we've been given on the topic, show you some of the outside decks as they prepare to enter the Gulf of Aden at night, and hopefully give you a feel for what it's like being onboard for such an event!
If you're new to my channel, hello! I'm Fraser, and I'm spending the rest of 2023 (March onwards) cruising the world on cruise ships, as a passenger. Throughout my year, I'll be experience loads of different ships, in many different parts of the world, and I want to take you with me. So, for now, hit that subscribe button and let's go - I've got LOTS to show you!
#cruise #cruiseship #msccruises #mscworldeuropa #cruiselife #cruisevlog #travelvlog #lifestyle #pirates #gulfofaden #redsea #cruising
Our Orchestra sailing in 2014 had the blackout for longer, after leaving Jordan all those protocols were in place until we we reached Salala in Oman. The Promenade had Fire hose set up fastened to the outside rails in order to deter anyone who tried to get onboard the ship, all the exterior doors were locked to the Promenade. Cruise ships are also shadowed by a War ship which is part of an International group that regularly patrol the Gulf of Aden and up past the Gulf of Suez.
Wow - sounds interesting! I was surprised that we could still use some of the open promenade on deck 8, but was also happy to be able to get fresh air (even if it did go pitch black late at night!). Also really interesting that your blackout period was longer, but I think they've done a lot of work in recent years to reduce the threat of piracy to a smaller area - 2 nights was more than enough for me...!!
Wow! I had actually wondered if you were going through that area, but you hadn't mentioned it so I figured all was well. Glad you did this informing us what went on. Pretty freaky having it dark, but yea, the stars would be amazing. Glad you are all safe!
So interesting, and such a unique experience!
Evening Fraser.. we were only just watching a documentary about modern pirates... this week.
love the water canons 😂
Ah, perfect timing for this video, ha! Thanks for watching!😊
Thanks Fraser. I've just been through a very similar experience in that area on P&O Arcadia on part of it's world cruise itinerary. Our low Promenade deck was closed off at night. All non-essential exposed lighting was turned off and balcony curtains kept closed at night. We had an anti piracy drill beforehand where outside cabins had to be vacated, etc. We had various forms of temporary visible defences setup onboard, including water hoses around the ship and large expensive-looking sonic devices operated by security personnel (not to mention the Royal Navy on call too) - all very well prepared and practiced. Security teams were constantly keeping watch day and night. Firearms were never seen or mentioned - so one can only guess about their presence or not. Cruise ships maintaining a high rate of knots present very challenging targets compared with slow and low-sided freight traffic of course. The days of the high seas Somali pirates are pretty much gone now so "pirates" now tend to be more like thieves who board poorly protected ships in port at night who then grab what they can and flee. I would certainly cruise through that area again given the security and intelligence measures in place.
Ah, cool that you did it on Arcadia - I was actually on a cruise on that ship last year, but only a short one across the channel and back over a 3-night period! Did you enjoy the World cruise? What an amazing itinerary!
Sounds like you had a fairly similar experience to me - I found it all so fascinating, and really exciting to have such a 'different' experience while out at sea on a ship!
Thanks for leaving this comment - so interesting!
@@FraserAtSea We sailed from Singapore to Southampton, about a third of the world cruise by duration. We loved it thanks. Such a different experience from any other cruise we have been on due to things like the longer duration, the security measures in place, and dealing with so many different currencies too! Being a long cruise (with a price tag to match unfortunately) the average passenger age was quite high as fewer people can afford (or want to) to spend that much money and get that much time off work if not retired. It was a very friendly ship to be on, though as you might remember rather tired looking in some places due to it's age. I would cruise on her again as it was so friendly onboard and the entertainment was normally very good 😊. A word of caution, if you ever go on the final part of a world cruise itinerary, don't expect to disembark from the ship on time - there were so many suitcases to offload that we were delayed for hours before our coach transfer left Southampton... one passenger had 10 suitcases to offload so you can imagine the logistics of offloading all the cases on the ship into the baggage hall at Southampton and then trying to find them in the melee that ensued. Chaos! Also, never use black suitcases without colourful ribbons or tape on them or you will never find them 😂
Interesting video 😀 was lovely to meet you the other night, safe onward travels
Thanks Marianne, and echo that - fantastic to see you onboard!
Wow! Amazing video, great info, good nothing happened. take care...
Thanks, Barbara!
A thousand apologies Fraser, here was me being flippant with the Johnny Depp quip and here you are with a helpful, informative and interesting video! The gloomy unlit decks were quite eerie looking. Thanks.
Hey, believe me - part of me now wishes I'd done a Johnny Depp impression as part of the video, haha!
Interesting video, good to see other sides of cruising safe as they are.
Thanks a lot for watching, John!
Very interesting, thanks Fraser
Thanks for watching as always, Joy!
Excellent information thank you
Thanks for watching!!
Whew! That's prety incredible - I guess I just thought that cruise ships were too large for the pirates to attack, but guess not. Stay safe!!
Thanks, Steve! I never thought it would be a concern, so it really surprised me when it all kicked off!
RUclips is odd that they had me look at your video. VERY scary! About that ship I guess RCCL's pattion is exp from having that same design/look. Its nice to see other ships have it.
Yeah, it’s growing on the industry I think - it seems to work from what I can tell… Thanks for watching, Michael!
@@FraserAtSea I am now watching the other tour videos! I am now watching your Promenade Balcony Cabin Tour. To bad this is now MSC's what I like to call too rich for my blood cruise lol Alot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Thanks so much…I’m thinking of a cruise in this area in the future and had wondered how the issue of pirates would be handled. Sounds like there is a plan, and I always feel better with a plan!!
Thanks for watching! You’ll feel totally safe - nothing to worry about! Glad you found the video useful :)
After exiting the Suez Canal on Splendour Of The Seas back in 2015 going past Somalia and Yemen on way to Salalah, Oman our convoy was actually attacked by Somalian pirates. Fortunately our ship was not the main target and the Dutch Royal Navy who were there on behalf of the UN intervened. It was all very scary for a few hours though, the ship was on high alert and all passengers were called to the most central part of the ship cramped in like sheep. It was one of those situations in life you think won’t ever happen to you.. except it now was.. like I said it was all over in a few short hours thanks to the Dutch Royal Navy but all of a sudden the Tom Hanks Captain Phillips movie seemed very real. I can only imagine the terror that man and others like him would have experienced. It goes to show that even in these modern times piracy is still going and the dangers at sea are very real.
Wow - this sounds so real and terrifying. I actually did read about this situation while ‘scaring myself’ onboard, ha!
Great to hear that the convoy was being really well looked after - wow!
Thanks for this video. I was recently on a Caribbean Cruise on the MSC Seaside. I was scared at times regarding as how piracy would be dealt with and the protection of >4500 cruisers. I feel safer now for my next cruise.❤❤
Hey! You’re welcome - thanks for watching! It’s honestly nothing to worry about - enjoy your next cruise!
Wow, it must be pretty daunting late at night. After watching the film about the Maersk Alabama hijacking by Somalian pirates, I don't think I'd sleep a wink 😉
It’s so interesting - I’m so glad I’ve experienced it. I’m based in the Med for the next few months - I don’t think the water here will be quite AS exciting, but let’s see… Haha!
So interesting to see the ship in darkness, it all sounds a bit scary though!
Yeah, was SO strange when it all happened - really exciting more than anything. The star gazing was actually one of the best things I've ever done on a cruise!
Hello Fraser, very interesting video
This maybe a silly question but the areas you mentioned that are closed like the Promenade, are they closed in the day time as well as at night? Thanks again for the video.
Hi Christine, thanks for commenting! The lower down areas - yes - they were also closed during the day. I guess it’s because pirate activity could also take place during the day, so best to keep passengers out of those low down areas!
I was on same cruise as you.
I think your title is overdoing it a bit.
There have been 6 attempted attempts on cruise ships in the last 10 years none successful.
Hey, did you enjoy the cruise? The video’s meant to look at the protocols that cruise lines out into place - I may need to alter the title slightly, haha!
Wow was you aware of this before taking this cruise, if so was you discounted
Nah, it’s one of the quirks of cruising in this part of the world. It’s not actually that risky - it’s a really well policed part of the world, and ships have so much in place to keep passengers safe!