Cruise Passenger Beaten and Raped in Nassau - Are Royal Caribbean and Senor Frog's to Blame?
A horrific crime occurred in Nassau involving a twenty-four year old Canadian woman cruising to the Bahamas.
"Jane Doe" (whose name is being withheld to protect her confidentiality) cruised aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas from Miami, leaving February 21st. Jane Doe sailed with her father and friends. The cruise ship docked in Nassau on February 23rd.
While ashore the group ended up at Senor Frog's, a popular local bar, early in the evening. Senor Frogs is located at the end of a promenade called the "Woods Rogers Walk," near the Straw Market, close to the wharf where the cruise ships dock.
.jpg)
After leaving the bar to head back to the cruise ship, the young woman was viciously attacked and sustained physical injuries. Looking for help, Jane Doe was then sexually assaulted by a second man (pretending to be a good samaritan) who raped her. She treated in a local hospital in Nassau and then eventually flew home to Canada to recover.
The high crime rate in Nassau is an issue which I have written about frequently on this blog. We have represented and written about many cruise passengers raped or robbed at gun point in Nassau. The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape in the Caribbean according to a 2007 United Nations report on crime and violence.
Cruise lines are legally obligated to warn passengers of crimes in the ports of call where the cruise ships sail. Unfortunately, cruise lines like Royal Caribbean do not warn of violence against passengers before disembarking them in Nassau, although the U.S. State Department does. A year ago, I was interviewed by Time Magazine in the article "Cruise-Ship Port Call: Gauging Crime in the Bahamas." I also wrote an article warning about violence against women in bars ashore in Nassau. The article is entitled Cruising To The Bahamas - Is It Safe?
In response to the article, we received a letter from Senor Frog's requesting the:
". . . immediate removal of our front entrance picture and name from your website. We feel that your website has a negative impact togards (sic) our facility and our pictures and name has been used causing damage to our name and reputation, regardless of the crime in the bahamas. Senor Frogs Restaurant is a serious stablishment (sic) pro-security we have daily security staff plus the fact that our location is just 1 minute walking distance to a police station our staff always ensure that customers are safe and having a good time we have zero tolerance to crime or disrespectful manners."
Needless to say, we did not retract the reference to Senor Frog's or omit the photo.
We requested a comment from Senor Frog's about this latest incident, and a copy of its response is referenced below.
We also contacted Royal Caribbean for a statement but have received no response.
Below is our article dated March 14, 2010, "Cruising To The Bahamas - Is It Safe?"
The U.S. Department of State has issued a warning of dangers while traveling to the Bahamas, including sexual assaults on cruise ships in the port in Nassau:
"CRIME: The Bahamas has a high crime rate . . . the U.S. Embassy has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as in casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships. In several incidents the victim had reportedly been drugged."
This type of warning, although certainly warranted, is not what the Bahamas wants to hear. Nassau is a preferred port of call for many cruise ships, which line up like cars in a crowded parking lot.
Today's the headline in the Washington Post's travel section is also not what the Bahamas or the cruise lines which sail there wanted to hear: "Violent Crime Is Up In The Bahamas" Here is a portion of the article:
"Bahamas-bound travelers, beware.
Crime in the popular tourist destination is on the upswing, especially on New Providence Island, where the capital city, Nassau, is located. And we're not talking just petty thefts or purse-snatching, but far more serious violent crime.
This island nation finished 2009 with a record 87 murders -- a statistic tourism officials probably won't be trumpeting in their next "It's Better in the Bahamas" ad . . .
The criminal activity has prompted the operators of the world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, to warn its passengers to "be mindful of their personal safety," the Nassau Guardian newspaper reported . . .
Some Bahamians attribute the crime wave to high unemployment (hovering around 15 percent on 
New Providence Island, according to the Guardian) and the nation's status as a gathering spot for drug traffickers."
We have warned passengers cruising to Nassau about crime for the past 6 months:
Eleven Cruise Passengers Robbed in Nassau
18 Passengers From Royal Caribbean & Disney Cruise Ships Robbed By Shotgun in the Bahamas
Bahamas Cruise Crime Nightmare Continues
Nassau Welcomes Oasis of the Seas as Bahamas' Murder Count Reaches Record-Breaking Level
The problem with crime in Nassau is real. Many passengers let their guard down and think Nassau is safe for no reason other than the cruise line is sailing there. But we have represented passengers raped in Nassau, passengers raped on cruise ships in the port in Nassau, and multiple passengers robbed in Nassau.
A major problem is when young women go into Nassau and drink at the popular bars near where the cruise ships dock. Many women have been sexually assaulted after leaving the bar even though it is a short distance from the cruise ships. The cruise lines do not provide security at the port nor do they warn about the dangers of date rape drugs and sexual assaults while in Nassau.
The U.S. Department of State warns about young women being sexually assaulted after leaving the cruise ships in Nassau:
"Visitors should exercise caution and good judgment at all times. Engaging in high-risk behavior such as excessive consumption of alcohol can ultimately be dangerous as it greatly increases the vulnerability of an individual to accidents or opportunistic crime. Visitors should not accept rides from strangers or from unlicensed taxi drivers."
March 9, 2011 Update:
Senor Frog's in Nassau sent us a statement today - please read: Senor Frog's Comments on Crime Against Cruise Passenger in Nassau.
What are your impressions about personal safety while ashore in Nassau? Please leave a comment below . . .
Credits:
Top photo - interior of Senor Frog's looking at cruise ships
Middle photo - Oasis of the Seas - Nassau Bahamas Press
Bottom photo - Senor Frogs Casch52 Flickr photostream
Jim Walker practices maritime personal injury law. Jim has been involved in maritime litigation since 1983. Based in Miami, Florida,
I think it is time that these crusie lines start promoting safety when disembarking in Nassau. Had my sister and my dad been aware of these dangers, they may have stayed on the ship. It disgusts me that Royal Caribean cruise lines would even stay until midnight in such a dangerous place. Funding local tourism seems to be more important than the safety of their passengers. My family was suppose to travel next year to Florida and the Bahamas, we have since decided that we will not be investing any time or money into these countries and will make sure that anyone we know does not as well.
On Friday March 15,2011 my husband and I went to a local bar in Nassau Bahamas we ordered 2 drinks and by the first one felt fine by the second one we were completely unaware of our surroundings heading back to our cruise ship (Carnival Sensation) luckily we made it to the ship after returning to our room we were violently ill vomiting and unable to function. We did not consume enough alcohol for this to happen. Most of the night was a complete blurr I remember parts of it while my husband doesn't remember any of it. The barmaid kept telling him to eat the cherries in his drink. I guess they need to bring down the stronger one so he cant help me. This was the scaries night of my entire life. After sustaining some bruises from falling in the bathroom and hurting my leg we lost a whole night. The next morning I went to the Medical room and told the woman working there my story she didnt really care to hear it and said that she never heard of any incidences happening (which is a lie) THANK GOD WE LEFT WHEN WE DID!!!!!!!!!
We did a cruise April 2011 with Royal Caribbean to bahamas. When we disembarked as a couple we were disgusted by the local men and their disrespect of women. We left our sons on board and glad we did bc after walking down main strip we could tell quickly it was not safe if even slightly off the beaten path. We went back to our ship early and enjoyed the vacant pool.
My wife and I took a cruise to the Bahamas in April 2011. Nassau was by far our least favorite destination. We took a guided tour of the island and the poverty there was terrible. Although we did not encounter any problems, I knew the crime rate had to be high. We went back to the ship early and relaxed. I actually got back off that night and went to a bar named Casablanca that was very close to the ship. I sat outside and drank 2 beers. I noticed a lot of shady characters watching tourists walk back from Senor Frogs. I felt unsafe and went back to the ship. I will be taking my family (including my two daughters ages 21 and 18) back to the Bahamas in June 2012, but Nassau will be seen from the ship. We will take advantage of the empty pools.
glad I read these reviews. my husband and I are cruising on Carnival Dream in Feb 2012 and I was looking forward to visiting Senor Frogs but now I do believe we too will be taking in the view from the ship and enjoying the vacant pools.
Hello all,
The Bahamas just like any other country in the world has its problems. There is no heaven on earth, every country has there own issues with crime just at different degrees. Nassau being the capital has seen it's share of situations but I guarantee you the attacks on visitors are rare and few and are not taken lightly. However, also keep in mind that we dont only have Nassau, we have a number of other islands to choose from Exuma, Andros, Eleuthera, Inagua etc.
I have numerous friends and family members who have been victims of crime while visiting the US, but still we dont brand America as a lawless country.
My 3 girlfriends and I just got back from a cruise this past weekend from the Bahamas. (October 2011). There was no mention of any dangers from Norwegian Cruise Ship prior to getting off the boat or when we did get off but we immediately noticed the poverty and felt a bit uneasy so we all stayed together. We shopped in the straw market and then walked to the local beach called Junkanoo Beach. It was a rainy day so there were very few people there, but there was one man who was alone and hanging out in the water who seemed to watch us girls for quite some time. Once my friend was alone in the water he made small talk with her and seemed very nice, told her of a great sushi restaurant a few mins down the road we should go to. My girlfriends and I kept an eye on our friend alone in the water at all times and always stayed together. I remember hearing lots and lots of sirens while we were there where I commented to my friend that I had never been somewhere and heard so many sirens.
Shortly after the police came by talking to the locals who were hanging out at the bathrooms and then they came over and called the man who had been watching us and appeared to be "friendly" out of the water by name and told him to go away. The police then asked us girls if he had harmed us or touched us in any way. This made us feel very uncomfortable but we were fine and had not been harmed. 2 of us had gotten a coconut drink at the little shack on the beach from 2 men making them prior. They gave me a drink and one "free". I did not feel strange at all looking back at it, but now knowing what I do about tourists being given date rape drugs I would NOT buy a drink there again.
My overall experience of the Bahamas was not worth the trip or money I paid. I feel that I was lied to about going to this beautiful island where I could "relax" when in reality I could not because of so much crime and sirens going off. And knowing what I do now and that I was not warned to watch out for the dangers makes me not want to go on a cruise again.
Hmmm. I have been born and raised in the Bahamas. these stories that I am reading are so far from the truth. To know for a fact that something was put in your drink would be good. Don't just make up stories because you wanna feel included.. Bahamians do not go around Robbing Tourist. The Bahamas is not a developed country. While we do not live in trees, we have our own problems. The World Recession has taken its told on the Bahamas, but Tourism is our number one industry and its for a reason. Bahamians are always told to be friendly to visitors. So do not get it twisted. Yes there have been instances where tourist have been robbed..But i assure you once or twice is not cause for any alarm. The Bahamas is indeed not Heaven on earth. Please do not act like where you come from is some peaceful place without its problems. Please get the facts. Yes the cruise ship does not mention anything about safety because there are no concerns. If you come to a country with this negative attitude then you will have a bad time.Speak the truth and shame the Devil. Bahamian drinks are strong. We don't do no date rape crap here..Thats what yall Americans do. not in the Bahamas. We don't steal kids..Thats what yall Americans do. We dont go in schools and shoot up the place thats what yall Americans do. So the nest time yall wanna talk remember what yall Americans does do. Bahamas is a safe place for tourist So there is no need to be alarmed.