Cruise Bruise Blog
January 11, 2009
January 11, 2009
USCG Evacuates Passenger From Seven Seas Voyager

The United States Coast Guard (USCG)  conducted a medical evacuation of  an 80-year-old man from the cruise ship Seven Seas Voyager, 280 miles south of San Diego.

The USCG received a request from the cruise ship that one of the passengers was suffering from signs and symptoms of internal bleeding.

The flight surgeon determined that a medevac was recommended and a MH-60J Jayhawk helicopter was launched from Sector San Diego while a HC-130 from Air Station Sacramento provided cover.

The man is listed in stable condition and will be transferred to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif., for treatment.

January 11, 2009
Cruise Ship Passengers Ripped Off By Swedish Taxi Drivers

In October of this year, Göran Orbe, a police officer in the economic crime division, was at Stockholmsmässan, the city’s international fair facility, when a taxi arrived carrying an American dentist attending a convention.

“The dentist complained he had been ripped off,” says Orbe. “He had unknowingly taken a private taxi, which looked identical to the ‘regular’ taxis he had taken before, and the driver was demanding he pay 400 kronor for a ride that normally cost him 200 kronor."

“The classic is cruise ship passengers who arrive at Värtahamnen and pay 1,700 kronor for a taxi ride to Gamla Stan – normally a 120 – 150kr ride. Then there are many tourists who are told the meter is showing the price in euros or dollars, and they pay it. The highest example I know of personally was a Japanese tourists who paid 450 euros (4,600kr) for a ride from Stockholm center to Arlanda airport."

What’s the limit on what these private taxis can charge? There was a case in 1996 for excessive charging, and the County Administrative Board won the case because the taxi was hiding the cost from the customer. But this was before the 1998 requirement to have prices displayed on the taxi windows.

“Now there is no limit,” says Kari Björkqvist, a lawyer who oversees the regulation of the meters. “As long as the amount listed on their window matches what they have on the meter, they can make the price whatever they like.”

January 11, 2009
Granada Serious About Their Definition Of Obscenity

The Caribbean island of Grenada says it recently began enforcing an indecent exposure law banning bathing suits away from the beach, as well as saggy pants that reveal the underwear.

Police commissioner James Clarkson says violators are usually just ordered to cover up. But the law allows for a $270 fine or six months in jail.

At least a few locals are contesting fines.

Clarkson said Friday that cruise ships usually inform passengers of proper non-beach attire, but "from time to time, there is the one or two who take their chances."

He said a few months ago police ordered several tourists wearing swimwear at a fort to return to their cruise ship and put on some clothes.