Latest news with #StewartChiron
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
New data reveals reported crimes on cruise ships in first three months of 2025
The Brief The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released data regarding reported crimes on cruise ships from January to March of this year. There were 48 incidents of alleged crimes on cruises reported to the FBI during that time period, data shows. Those 48 reported incidents, include 33 sexual assaults, seven assaults with serious bodily injury, and seven thefts greater than $10,000. TAMPA, Fla. - The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released data regarding reported crimes on cruise ships from January to March of this year. By the numbers There were 48 incidents of alleged crimes on cruises reported to the FBI during that time period, data shows. Here's how that number compares to past years: This includes data from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation from Jan. 1 to March 31 of the following years: 2019 – 25 incidents 2020 – 18 incidents 2021 – 1 incident 2022 – 17 incidents 2023 – 32 incidents 2024 – 47 incidents 2025 – 48 incidents Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "The unfortunate reality is that serious crimes can and do happen on the high seas," the FBI said in an August 2024 message for travelers. Those 48 reported incidents, include 33 sexual assaults, seven assaults with serious bodily injury, and seven thefts greater than $10,000, 2025 data shows. Some cruise experts said these numbers will cause some passengers to avoid cruises. The other side But, other experts argue context is important: Millions of passengers board cruise ships every year, especially as the industry has bounced back since the COVID pandemic. READ:Horrified passenger films roaches crawling inside Spirit Airlines plane "Ships weren't full at that time. You know, there were the COVID restrictions,"Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based industry expert known as The Cruise Guy, said of 2020-2022 crime stats. In fact, Port Tampa Bay expects to break the all-time cruise passenger record this year as the cruise industry continues to boom, officials told FOX 13. However, experts said travelers in general should always be vigilant. "Going on a cruise anywhere in the world, I mean, it's very important to not let your guard down," Chiron added. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Fox News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Mexico rolls back its controversial new tax on cruise ship visitors
A tourism tax was rocking the boats in the cruise industry, imposing a charge on passengers. A $42 immigration levy for every passenger on cruise ships that dock in Mexico was voted in by the country's congress back in December, The Associated Press reported at the time. The Non-Resident Duty was to begin collection on Jan. 1 of this year. Then, due to strong criticism, the tax was pushed back to July. Now the tax has been dropped to $5 and will be implemented on July 1, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) confirmed to Fox News Digital. "On behalf of the FCCA and our member cruise lines – representing over 95% of cruise capacity in the Caribbean and Latin America – we thank the Federal Government of Mexico for working with us to reach an 'in transit fee' agreement," the FCCA told Fox News digital. The association added that the move "safeguards cruise tourism to the country and aims to enhance the benefits for local communities whose livelihoods depend on it." The fee will gradually increase to $10 on Aug. 1, 2026, then will jump to $15 on July 1, 2027, through July 2028. Starting August 1, 2028, the fee will rise to $21. Before the tax delay was announced, Fox News Digital spoke with Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based cruise industry expert known as "The Cruise Guy." He anticipated that some sort of "amicable solution" would be made between cruise industry executives following the initial tax announcement. He also said that cruise passengers may opt "to skip" visiting Mexico if they had to pay an additional fee. About 16.9 million passengers from the United States cruised in 2023, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
Fox News
24-03-2025
- Fox News
Cruise passengers allegedly warned to turn off lights as ship sails sea 'known for piracy threats'
A ship has put passengers on notice while charting waters "known for piracy threats," a TikTok user alleges. User @lillydapink, also known as Lilly, said she was traveling on Cunard's Queen Anne cruise ship crossing from Darwin, Australia, to Manila, Philippines, and posted a video of the announcement. "We will be operating at a heightened level of security alertness during this period," a woman can be heard saying over the intercom. "During hours of darkness, only essential open deck lights will be on to reduce the ship's external lighting…We also suggest you turn off your stateroom lights and close the curtains in your stateroom bedroom or bathroom," the cruise worker said. The announcement added that the ship's external decks will be closed overnight, not permitting guests to visit. Lilly told Fox News Digital, "all the outside lights on open decks were turned off." "The curtains and blinds were also closed to keep the ship as dark as possible," she added. Fox News Digital reached out to Cunard for comment. The video amassed more than half a million likes with social media users commenting their thoughts about the announcement. "Bro my timbers would be shiveringggg," joked one user. Another wrote, "The way i would crawl and hide under the bed." "If a cruise or passenger vessel was attacked by Pirates, the response from naval vessels would be swift and sudden, moreso than if it was a regular merchant vessel," added a user. "Well that sounds terrifying," one TikToker said. "Not really it's just safety precautions the risk is very low," the video create said in a response to the comment. "My toxic trait is thinking I could befriend the pirates," another user wrote. "Well that's something you don't hear every cruise, One said, "I would be on full blown pirate watch and no one would stop me." Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based cruise industry expert known as "The Cruise Guy," told Fox News Digital that these areas are not normally visited except during world cruises. "It's rare for cruise ships to traverse pirate infested areas and wouldn't do so if unsafe. Over the years, cruise ships have avoided these areas or sailed along with military escorts," said Chiron. He added, "Very few ships [have] experience and security teams are continually reviewing current conditions before ships arrive in impacted areas."
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Would a government shutdown affect my flight or cruise? What travelers should know.
A U.S. government shutdown could begin as soon as this week. President Donald Trump said a government shutdown "could happen" if the House fails to pass a funding bill. Republicans appear confident in a proposal to extend current funding through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. is achievable. However, nothing is certain until legislation is officially approved before Friday's deadline. The good news is that if a shutdown happens, it's unlikely to have a significant impact on any travel plans you may have, so you can still count on getting to your spring break destinations. And while a long shutdown could result in more noticeable impacts for travelers, it'll take a while to get there. Here's what government documents and past precedent tell us is probably going to happen instead. More: Not heading to Florida for spring break? These destinations are just a state away Basically, no, it shouldn't. Funding to agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection would be on hold. However, the agents who you typically interact with at airports and seaports, and the controllers who oversee your flights are considered essential and will be working without pay during the shutdown. Impacts on those agencies have more to do with things like hiring and training. All the crucial safety functions like inspections and air traffic control continue. Consular operations in the U.S. and internationally will also continue normally 'if there are sufficient fees' to support them, according to the most recent guidance from the State Department. 'This includes passports, visas, and assisting U.S. citizens abroad.' There could be economic repercussions, though. A government shutdown could cost the country's travel economy an estimated $1 billion per week, the U.S. Travel Association said in December. You can think of them as the people who keep things moving. Air traffic controllers, safety inspectors, security agents and customs officials have all been exempt under previous shutdown plans and will likely continue working even in the current situation. During previous shutdowns, impacts to travel were minimal. In 2019, it took about two weeks of no pay before FAA controllers and TSA agents started not showing up for work. At that point, lines started stacking up at security checkpoints and flights started getting delayed. Shortly after, the government finally agreed to funding legislation and got things back in order. That same year, some national parks closed entirely, while others remained technically open but without staff to maintain them. Some fell into disarray, with trash piling up and toilets overflowing. Previous government shutdowns have generally not impacted cruises, however, according to Stewart Chiron, an industry expert known as The Cruise Guy. 'Cruise passengers should pack some additional patience as there may be some delays and inconveniences, possibly caused by staffing, but cruise vacations should proceed without issues,' he told USA TODAY last year. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will government shutdown affect my flight, cruise? What to know
