Cruise Ship Passengers Told To Turn Off Lights, Close Curtains In High-Risk Piracy Zone

The passengers aboard the Cunard cruise ship, Queen Anne, were instructed to follow strict security measures as the vessel passed through a high-risk piracy zone in Southeast Asia.

The ship, currently on its 111-night maiden world voyage, sailed through the Sulu and Celebes Seas, a region historically associated with maritime crime.

As a precautionary measure, the captain announced heightened security protocols, asking passengers, to turn off unnecessary lights, close their curtains, and avoid open decks at night.

The external promenade decks were closed from 9 pm to 5 am, and only essential lighting was on to reduce visibility.

A TikTok video capturing the announcement over the ship’s PA system on March 13 went viral, gaining nearly 9 million views. Passengers were given specific instructions in case of an emergency:

Guests were to stay inside their rooms. Those in the balcony or window-facing cabins were asked to move into the hallway while keeping their doors shut.

Passengers in interior rooms were advised to remain inside. All guests were instructed to avoid external decks and windows until further notice.

Despite these measures, Cunard assured passengers that there was no immediate threat to the ship or its guests and that such precautions were standard when crossing certain maritime regions. The onboard experience remains unaffected.

The Sulu-Celebes Sea, which lies between Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, has a long history of maritime crime. The Abu Sayyaf Group, a militant pirate organisation, was known for kidnapping for ransom in the area.

Ships were advised to avoid these waters due to the high risk of abduction from late 2016 to mid-2022.

No reported kidnappings have occurred since January 2020, and the threat level was officially downgraded to ‘low’ in January 2025. However, ships still take precautionary security measures when passing through.

While pirate attacks on cruise ships are rare, they have happened before. In 2009, Somali pirates attempted to hijack the MSC Melody near the Seychelles. Passengers fought back using tables and deck chairs, forcing the attackers to leave after an exchange of gunfire.

Modern-day pirates mostly target cargo ships and oil tankers, as large cruise ships are difficult to seize. Maritime security experts believe that piracy in the region has declined due to increased naval patrols and improved security protocols.

The Queen Anne is Cunard’s fourth luxury cruise ship, capable of carrying 2,996 passengers and 1,225 crew members. It features thousands of art pieces, recreational facilities, and activities such as archery and pickleball.

The ship set sail from Hamburg, Germany, in January, following Cunard’s classic transatlantic route to New York before travelling to Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia.

After passing through Southeast Asia, it will make stops in Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Africa, before returning to Europe via Dubai and the Suez Canal.

The voyage will conclude in Hamburg on April 29, 2025.

References: businessinsider, jalopnik

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