Carnival Opens New Pawn Shop
New policy to confiscate passenger’s private property
By Mike Groves
They really do take the biscuit don’t they? Not satisfied with treating some passengers like scurvy should they dare to raise a genuine complaint on board, Carnival are now going to rummage through passengers bags to hunt down, and then confiscate their electrical items? They will of course look for firearms and explosives as normal but Carnival wish to go one better – they want your goodies to!
Are passengers really sailing with Carnival Cruise Lines or with Edward Hubbert, aka ‘Scallywag' the famous Pirate who terrorized the Mediterranean during the 1700’s.
According to reports from members on Cruise Critic, Carnival now reserves the right to confiscate or destroy, (just like Pirates) anything and everything that they feel they’re entitled to. So be it on your own head if you bring them on board is basically the message? This could include essential items such as fans, mobile phones, laptops, camera’s and any alcohol, whether at embarkation or whenever you come back on board! But I say this – ‘What about exercising your right to purchase duty free items when ashore!’
"Confiscation is possible at any point from luggage screening through the conclusion of the voyage," according to company spokeswoman Ms. de la Cruz.
As often is the case, Carnival has not been exactly clear on the point, their poor company parrot - Ms de la Cruz giving inconsistent answers as usual. The inconsistency; on this occasion, relates to what is permitted on board and what is not. They are even suggesting personal grooming devices (hair dryers, hair straighteners and curlers) are also in the firing line! Well good luck with that because I wouldn’t dare try and part my girlfriend from her hair dryer, so knock yourselves out Carnival when trying to get it off hundreds of female guests!
Carnival Opens New Pawn Shop?
‘Company’s ridiculous policy to confiscate passenger’s private property’
By Mike Groves QGM
Cruise Bruise Security And Safety Advisor
June 10, 2010
'Pieces of eight, Pieces of eight'
Naturally many cruisers are understandably aggrieved, with some making very negative comments both on Cruise Critic and other chat forums, as I understand. Others also want to know why they are being made to feel like criminals after they were pulled off the ship by security during their hunt for ‘contraband’.
Already cruisers are reporting opening checked luggage in their cabins on embarkation day, only to find items already removed!
Sorry but that is just plain theft in my opinion, and unless the company is issuing or leaving a receipt for each of those guests, then they have no right to do this.
The revised company instructions focus on the daily-use items that cruise travelers often take on vacation, yet the message from the company is foggy at best! One section of the revised policy states items are "allowed onboard when used with proper caution" yet if the aforementioned items "are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise." This contradicts the insinuation that items may also be destroyed, so what is the definitive answer or are they going to ‘Scallywag's Pawn Shop?’
You know all too well my thoughts on improving passenger and crew safety, and I agree that items CLEARLY dangerous whether through age, damage or loose wiring should be confiscated. But seizing and/or destroying personal items just because someone believes a ‘hairdryer’ may be used behind closed doors without proper caution is just taking things to far.
Finally when asked what will happen if any confiscated items are lost or damaged, De la Cruz stated this would be "handled case by case, [Carnival] would take responsibility if our personnel caused damage to an item." I wonder if you will have to prove to them beyond all reasonable doubt that it wasn’t damaged beforehand and get nowhere? What a cop-out!
The policy can be found in Carnival's FAQ section, under the question, Are there restrictions on what we can bring aboard?
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