Protesters block Princess cruise ship from docking in Costa Rica - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Char · 11-14-2008, 02:31 PM

Protesters block Princess cruise ship from docking in Costa Rica (USA Today)
The 1,970-passenger Coral Princess had to turn away from the Costa Rican port of Puntarenas Thursday after fisherman blocked the entrance.

Link To Original Article

daWoods · 11-14-2008, 05:01 PM

These are they guys who catch sharks, cut off their fins, and throw them back into the ocean to drown. Princess would be doing everybody a favour if they just ran over them and said " oops".

LuLu · 11-14-2008, 06:58 PM

If I were on a Fishing Boat, I don't think I'd want to "Play Chicken" with a Cruise Ship!

boyconny · 11-14-2008, 09:41 PM

But why are they doing that?

nanabanana · 11-14-2008, 10:48 PM

Uh oh, I'll be on the Coral in Dec. Hope everything will be resolved by then so we won't miss the port!

Char · 11-14-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boyconny

But why are they doing that?

This is a quote from the article:

Quote:

A spokesperson for Princess Cruises tells USA TODAY the 1,970-passenger vessel once again had to turn away from the Costa Rican port of Puntarenas after fishermen in industrial fishing boats barred the entrance. The fishermen are protesting a law that bans shark finning -- the practice of removing the fins of sharks while still at sea.

cruisin' chick · 11-15-2008, 02:13 AM

So are they blocking the entrance for all cruise ships or just the Island and Coral?

Those poor sharks.

Ziggy7 · 11-15-2008, 03:57 AM

Yikes! If they are allowed to block cruise ships, then I think until they make laws to stop them blocking, I think they need to find another port to call

cruisin' chick · 11-15-2008, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggy7

Yikes! If they are allowed to block cruise ships, then I think until they make laws to stop them blocking, I think they need to find another port to call

If Princess stops calling at this port, then this place will be losing revenue (the port taxes). Either the fishermen don't care (in which case, the residents lose), or they are trying to put some pressure on their government to give in to change the law (drop the ban). In that case, the sharks lose.

LAC2 · 11-24-2008, 06:36 PM

There were 1,550 passengers scheduled for excursions in Costa Rica that day, us included. My husband watched as the fishing boats positioned themselves in front of our ship. The next we know we hear the Loud blast of the ships horn. The odd thing is, the Harbor Pilot was onboard at the time and when the Capt. made his announcement, it made it seem as though the blockade was an unanticipated surprise.

The Coral was then moved to another part of the bay, towards an industrial pier. Don't recall what the name of the port was, but the Captain said we'd be going there while "the Home Office" sorted out the situation. Funny thing is we watched all the tour buses leave the first port heading for the second port.

Ultimately we couldn't dock there either. We were told that taxi drivers were blocking the entry to the port and that the govt could not guarantee our safety nor the ability to leave and return to the dock. So.......our sea days were altered and we left for Panama City Harbor after a medical evacuation was completed.

The best tours sold out in 15 min. Tendering was necessary and reeeeeally slow. Lots of complaints. Too bad too. I thought Princess did really well under the circumstances.

Hey. It was an adventure and we loved the cruise!!