"The cruise lines are reluctant to talk about their specific security plans, fearing that the information could help those willing to pounce ships. Crye said cruise companies are permitted to arm their crews, but he wouldn't say if they did."
Hell I would not set foot on a cruise ship that DIDN'T arm their crews!
"Kenneth Bissonnette, staff manager for surveillance and security at Carnival Cruise Lines, told The Associated Press in March 2004 that security personnel for the world's largest cruise line didn't carry firearms, but had defenses like pepper spray. He said the company's security staff recruited heavily among Gurkhas, elite Nepalese soldiers renowned for their fearlessness. Bissonnette declined to comment Monday. Tim Gallagher, a spokesman for company parent Carnival Corp., declined to comment on specific security procedures."
How fearless can you be trying to hold attackers with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades at bay with a can of pepper spray?!?
"Cruise lines are reluctant to have armed guards onboard because that might hurt their image with some passengers, said William Callahan, president of maritime security consultant Unitel. He proposes that they should have armed speedboats as escorts when traveling in dangerous areas."
Well if I can't find a cruise line that does arm their crews then there goes my family ever doing the cruise vacation through the Panama Canal our our cruise vacation to Alaska!
USATODAY.com - Experts say cruises vulnerable, but lines defend security plans
