The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE entire cruise ship industry remains concerned about the safety of passengers and employees in The Bahamas, an executive at Carnival said yesterday.

Terry Thornton, senior vice president of itinerary development and revenue planning, said it was important Bahamian officials work to reduce crime.

It comes after an alleged warning by Carnival that it would discontinue routes to the Bahamas next year unless crime was handled.

Carnival denies that any such ultimatum was made.

Mr Thornton said: “All cruise lines calling in The Bahamas share the same desire for our guests and crew members to enjoy a safe and exceptional experience when visiting The Bahamas. We look forward to continuing to work, as an industry, with the Bahamian government to meet our mutual goals and objectives.

“The entire cruise industry remains concerned about incidences of crime in The Bahamas, including Nassau. As we have advised as an industry, it is extremely important that Bahamian officials continue to work to reduce crime to ensure the safety and well-being of all visitors, including the millions of cruise ship passengers and crew members who visit The Bahamas annually.”

Concerns have been raised about whether or not visitors are safe as they come to New Providence.

Those concerns are coupled with the fact that there have been numerous reports of attacks on tourists and Americans who work in the country.

On December 13, the United States Embassy in Nassau again stressed its warning of increased criminal activity in the Bahamas for US citizens preparing to the travel to the islands during the holiday season.

The alert, sent out via e-mail advised that armed robbery remains a “major threat” facing visitors to the Bahamas.

US citizens were also informed of the armed invasion of Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’s home and cited other recent incidents involving American tourists.