Aruba - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

taylor · 11-19-2005, 01:38 PM

Should we as American's and Canadian's insist that the cruise lines do not bring tourists to Aruba, in light of the problems around cooperation in finding Natalee Holloway and Amanda Bradley. There have been reported sightings of them alive. Perhaps Aruba would be more helpful if tourism was affected. Surely the cruise ships could stop at another port.

mango · 11-20-2005, 12:12 AM

I agree we need to do something to encourage then to do the job right.

abridalmaven · 11-21-2005, 03:58 AM

This topic really gets my goat! Why is this woman more important than all the other unsolved and mishandled crimes? I can bet you any amount of money there are cases similar even in your own home states. And why does it overshadow some other things like the over 2000 deaths in Iraq? That is something we have more control over.
It is the families with money who are pushing it in our faces, what about the poor people whose deaths are just overlooked here and all over the world. Get real what you propose is preposterous. Girls are abducted for sex slaves from NYC even, and I bet your hometown also! And just because Dr. Phil ( who in my opinion is only psuedo psychologist) jumps on the bandwagon means it is a legitimate cause, he is in it for the money and publicity

BigJohnson · 11-21-2005, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylor

Should we as American's and Canadian's insist that the cruise lines do not bring tourists to Aruba, in light of the problems around cooperation in finding Natalee Holloway and Amanda Bradley. There have been reported sightings of them alive. Perhaps Aruba would be more helpful if tourism was affected. Surely the cruise ships could stop at another port.

In a word.....No.

Quote:

Get real what you propose is preposterous.

Girls are abducted for sex slaves

Perposterous is "one" way to describe this idea. I bet until this happened half the follks didn't even know where Aruba was.

That or she's now shark poop. It's sad and it's unfortunate.

PagodaSwan · 11-21-2005, 10:43 AM

The question should be asked is why the girls got into cars or went off with people they did not know in the first place. They are both old enough to know better and from various news reports their friends advised them not to go with the strangers. It was their own choices, no-one elses.

Boycotting an area just because certain individuals decide to act out of character or against friend's advice is insane.

There are far more important issues that need to be dealt with apart from teenagers who seem to think its clever to go off with strangers. Sorry if this seems harsh but in the grand scheme of things they probably brought onto themselves anything that happened to them.

usnretdocb · 11-22-2005, 12:00 PM

No, no, no - a thousand times no.

Certainly we need to be concerned and perhaps even write to their tourism board.

This talk of a boycott is so much BS put out by a bunch of know-it-all personalities. Yes I am talking about Dr. Phil and others such as him.

How about calling for a boycott of all those places in America where women, little girls and boys and even men have disappeared without a trace.

The media have given this more than enough exposure. I think the Aruba officials truly feel for the family of this girl and that they have truly done all within their means to locate her.

I put those "sightings" of her right up there with the Elvis sightings. With 99% certainty, I would say she is dead. I believe with almost the same level of confidence that the son of the government official (judicial??) know about or was directly involved in her death. The problem becomes proving it.

I totally agree with you, PagodaSwan and do not believe your statement to be harsh. It is reality.

I am terribly sorry that this beautiful girl is gone. But to hold a whole country responsible for her death/disappearance is indeed preposterous.

OK

now.

JimVrhovac · 11-22-2005, 07:32 PM

The problems highlighted in Aruba over the past year just point out that we as tourists in a strange country need to be ever vigilant of what can happen to you when you are there.

I don't mean to be paranoid to the point where you do not have a good time. I mean that you need to be on guard and dress conservitely when you leave the ship.

Jim & Ruth

bs_outwest · 11-22-2005, 07:41 PM

This is like saying airlines should not bring people to New York, or anywhere for that matter....

I disagree with this idea altogether....2 problems in the last several years in Aruba? How many murders in the US every year? 16,137 murders in 2004...better boycott

jstducky · 11-22-2005, 09:39 PM

I agree with many of the above posters.

There are problems in every city, state, county, and country in the world. There is not a place in this world that doesn't not have issues. This doesn't mean that we should boycott everywhere in the world because we don't think that the officials there have done enough to protect the safety of tourists.

I agree that more than anything these incidents should highlight the fact that when you visit a foreign city, state, land, etc that you need to be ever vigilant of your surroundings, the people you are with and the environment you are in and act accordingly.

Hm... Brooke, 622 homocides in Canada in 2004... better boycott!!!

(sorry, that last comment is aimed for Brooke... he understands my humor....
no offense should be taken by anyone who is Canadian!)

taylor · 11-23-2005, 10:54 AM

I agree with everyones comments. I guess when I posted this, I was thinking about how I would feel if it was my daughter. I agree there are issues, injustices and suffering everywhere. I'm glad there is not a draft in the U.S. And I have the highest respect for the soldiers risking their lives in Iraq. I don't know the answer. I guess I thought we have to start somewhere. By everyones response,I guess there really isn't anywhere to start. I was really surprised by bridlemavens response..... I guess there is so much bad in the world that we have either become de-sensitized or we feel like we can't make a difference anywhere.
I hope this hasn't upset anyone. (We Canadian's don't like to upset anyone). I guess as a newbe to this sight, I've learned a lesson, that there are certain issues I shouldn't approach. I think dialogue is only good,when it can be productive.
Again, I hope I haven't offended anyone. Take care and happy thanksgiving.