Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    oooops -- I think that was 60 Minutes or Jane Pauley, not 20/20.  In
    any case, it was on last night.

Yes, I head about this last night.  You're right, it really does put a
damper on things, especially since my fiance and I had planned to spend
time apart since he likes to gamble and I don't.  But after seeing that
special, I really don't want to take any unecessary chances.  It's
extremely scary to think that something as horrible as this can happen and
nothing can be done about it.  Like you, I thought I'd be safe since I'm
not traveling alone, but it sounds like no woman is really safe.  

Be careful!    

    I saw it too.  What happens to the crew that are accussed?  They
    are allowed to continue working on the ship until they are found
    guilty or not guilty?  Pretty scary.
    
    I'm also planning a cruise this summer.  I'll make it a point to
    be aware that these things CAN happen, even on vacation (even
    if you're traveling with your husband). 
    
    Linda          

	One thing that bothers me about that report - I kept hearing
	the fact that they did not lock the cabin door because their
	husband was in the casino!!  Cruise ships are more than happy
	to supply you with extra keys!  I've never slept in a hotel
	room without locking the door! 

	Be smart - but don't let that put a damper on your vacation!

	Kelly

    I didn't see the show but heard about it through my mother.  I've been 
    on a dozen cruises - sometimes with just my children or another female.
    I've spent a great deal of time on my own as has my daughter (age 12). 
    Neither of us have ever been afraid.  However, we do always lock the
    cabin door.  I would assume the necessary safety precautions I would
    anywhere, but I certainly wouldn't let it put a damper on my trip.
    
    These cruise ship jobs are a higher source of income than they could
    earn in their homelands to most of these workers, I don't think very
    many would jeopardize their positions.  I've seen waiters fired for not
    being polite enough or giving good service to passengers, I'd certainly
    think they'd be dealt with severely for harming passengers.  The ships
    are very concerned with their reputations.
    
    Ro
    

    On the three cruises I've been on, I've never heard of any incident
    of this type. Not even a bar fight...
    
    I can believe it could happen. One of the questions I had during
    the show was did the women who were raped flirt with their rapist
    sometime during the cruise, possibly giving the wrong message ?
    
    I believe No means No...So I'm not blaming anyone, except of course
    the perpetrater.
    
    I'm afraid how I'd react if my wife told me she was raped. Especially
    if she told me during the cruise, even worse if she could ID the 
    person.
    
    As for the show, I only caught the last 10 or 15 minutes. I was
    flipping channels and saw the Fantasy, the last ship we were on.
    I was not pleased with the way the Carnival guy kept avoiding
    answering the questions, by asking questions. What's so hard
    about answering "Did you investigate the reported rapes ?" Yes
    or no....
    
    The woman left the door ajar for her husband...Come on...Someone
    back a few said they always lock their hotel room..What's a ship
    but a floating hotel !
    
    Did the show investigate any other crimes ??? I'd be interested in
    some more reports..
    
    Jim
    

    It doesn't matter if you lock the door or not.  They still have to get
    into your room to clean it, etc.....  So, they have a key.  The answer
    is mace and a good swift kick in the balls!
    
    bob
    
    rock the boat!
    

    
    
     
    		On all four ships I have been on ( and the countless hotels)
    there is an internal lock that can only be open or locked from the
    inside.  Just because somone is on vacation doesn't me there brain has
    to shut down.  Be carfull Mace and a kick is go so long as yor're
    not in the shower stall.  Hubbie could have waited, knocked or got
    his own key.  Leaving the door open was stupid.  I was not here fault,
    but if a simple level of common sence was used, it would have been
    avoided.
    
    
    	Happy _SMART_ cruising.
    
    	George C.