Safety on Cruises, Pickpocketing, Theft and more

Travelling is a time of carefree joy and pleasure, but with the rise in pickpocketing you always have to keep your guard up. Cruises are one of the fastest and most convenient form of travel, but tourists on these ships are prime targets of pickpocketing. Most people assume that being on vacation means you are exempt from crime, but the opposite is actually true. Simply being a cruising tourist makes you a target. 

Pickpocketing is Everywhere

The thing to remember is that pickpocketing is really not limited to just certain parts of the world. Even though Barcelona is one of the main pickpocketing areas, you still have to be on the lookout in North America and in Europe. In Barcelona 1 in 4 tourists will be pickpocketed, while this number is not as high in other areas of the world it is rising. Pickpocketing is becoming the major risk of tourists venturing on cruise ships.

Can it Be Avoided?

When it comes to pickpocketing, it is essential that you know how to protect yourself from petty theft. Most petty theft is not fully covered under normal travelers insurance policies, which means that you will be out all cash and valuables that are stolen from you. Pickpocketing is a crime that takes skill and you likely won’t really know when you are at risk of theft. However, there are a few things that you can do to lessen the risk of pickpocketing during your cruise vacation.

Don’t Be Flashy

If you want to avoid being a target of pickpocketing, it is essential that you maintain a low profile. This means that you should not flaunt what you have and try to blend in without sticking out like a tourist. Blending into your surroundings will keep you from becoming a target and will help you to avoid petty theft.

Plan In Advance

It is always a great idea to book hotels in advance depending on the cities that you are porting in. You can choose locations that are safer, which will minimize your risk of theft. It is also a good idea to not go out at night and stay close to the cruise ship whenever you port. Venturing too far out will only make you more of a target in foreign locations.