Thread: Should cruise lines stop visiting Antigua?

Originally Posted by LuLu

Any updates on this situation? Have the survellance cameras been helpful?

All the camera will do is to push the criminals to other places visited by tourists. Why did they even announce the installation of these cameras? I think they wanted to scare them off rather than catch them.

The last few times we have been to Antigua we did not feel comfortable venturing out on our own. I really don't like feeling like I have to take a ships excursion to feel safe enjoying an island. If they (Antigua) cannot fix the problem that I believe the cruise lines need to find a different port to give their port charges too.

PE

Originally Posted by LuLu

Any updates on this situation? Have the survellance cameras been helpful?

Great question, Lulu.

Its still a little hard to get some hard data to answer your question, but it does appear that the increase in crime on Antigua has been slightly stemmed.

Star Clippers resumed visiting the island regularly as of Jun 9, 2010. The FCCA (Florida Caribbean Cruise Association) has also already held a conference with Antigua officials to review their concerns and plans. An expected follow-up to this review will be conducted at the annual FCCA convention in October.

I will continue to research this issue and post some more details as I come across them.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by LuLu

Any updates on this situation? Have the survellance cameras been helpful?

Now i'm worried. I spent a week rummaging around the Island in January '09. I stayed in a hostel near Nelsons Dockyard, (couldn't/wouldn't afford to stay inside). Incidentally, I wandered in and out there all week and wasn't asked for any entrance fee, seems they only rig that up for the cruise ships. Now you tell me that I could have easily have been murdered?? If it is more likely there than any other destination I may have got off lightly. I travelled around on the local busses, (real cheap), wandered along the coast and into the hills and into the back end of St. Johns taking snaps; (except when it wasn't prudent), where the houses get run down and the brightly painted houses stop being painted. I met nothing but friendly kids and adults eager to chat, I even got a beer brought by a shady looking guy in a shabby suit and we sat chatting together at a curb side eatery, actually one woman with a makeshift bench and a gas ring but she did have a cooler full of beer. OK a woman on her own should be careful and it may be that I don't particularly look too savoury myself, more like a Pirate with one eye and scars over my face but that aside, if you are looking worried and eyes darting around it doesn't help. We should always feel safe in an ideal world and be alert, but stay at home or only travel in a large organised group and you miss an awful lot. The snag is that I am thinking of returning in the New Year, so if I get quiet on this forum after then, you'll know why. Gasp. Regards, Brian.

I see one cruise line is going to Antigua instead of St.Kitts now, I like the region but I can't help but think it is becoming more lawless.

Overall, I think the regions are no worse than they have ever been. Just two things have changed. The few crooks out there are getting more brazen going after tourists instead of just locals. Second, the news is picking up the stories and really hyping them more than was done in the past.

We certainly get to read more about things now, with the internet etc & blogs. I also agree that what was always there is now affecting tourists.