By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-24 11:50:07 | Updated at 2025-03-26 08:25:16
1 day ago
A unique danger of travelling onboard a luxury cruise ship has been revealed, after passengers were instructed to turn off their lights and close their curtains due to a highly unusual threat.
The Cunard Queen Anne ship, embarking on an 111-night 'maiden World voyage' from Hamburg, Germany, visits sights such as New York, Sydney, Hawaii, Penang and Cape Town, alongside passing through the Sulu-Celebs sea.
However, while picturesque, the nearly 3,000 travellers onboard the vessel appear to have more to fear than simply just sea sickness or poor weather.
In a new video amassing more than 8 million views posted to the social media platform TikTok, passengers were seen to receive an announcement from the captain warning them of a 'heightened level of security alertness' as a result of possible 'piracy' threats.
As a result of being at risk of attacks by pirates, travellers were instructed to close their statesroom curtains and turn off their lights.
The announcement also revealed that the external promenade would be closed from 9pm to 5pm for a two-day period, while only 'essential' lights would be on in the ship's communal external areas.
Despite possible anxieties the unusual bulletin may have prompted, the captain was quick to assure that 'measures to prevent any unlikely incident have been well-planned' and that the likelihood of a possible piracy attack occurring remains 'absolutely minimal'.
Passengers onboard Cunard's luxury Queen Anne cruise ship (pictured) received an announcement from the captain warning them of a 'heightened level of security alertness' due to 'piracy' threats
TikTok commenters were quick to express their shock at the possible threat of pirates during a luxury cruise break, with one user saying: 'People pay for this???? That's crazy' while another, who's set to take their first cruise trip this summer, declaring that the video had 'unlocked' a 'new fear'.
While some viewers felt that the fear of pirates is 'another thing to add to the list of why not to go on a cruise', others appeared less phased, with one commenter saying: 'Been through it a good few times as well as the drills. On Queen Victoria, Andonia, Oriana and Arcadia. It's all part of the fun!'
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report recorded up to 116 incidents against ships in 2024, a decline from 120 recorded in 120 and 115 in 2022.
However, the ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO, warned that 'the ongoing threats to crew safety remain a significant concern', with 126 crew members taken hostage in 2024, compared to 73 in 2023, and 12 reported kidnaps compared to 14 in 2023.
The Sulu and Celebes Sea previously gained a reputation for being a hotspot for kidnapping-for-ransom incidents, with one incident in 2020 reportedly linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a violent Islamic separatist group operating in the southern Philippines.
Meanwhile, in 2019, there were at least 12 reported boardings, attempted boardings, attacks, hijacks and kidnapping incidents in the sea's waters, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Described as a 'modern, yet timeless' luxury ship that 'offers both exciting, novel experiences', the Queen Anne voyage accommodates 92 cabins spread across 13 decks
In a statement given to Business Insider, a representative for Cunard said: 'There was no specific threat to the ship or its guests, and our onboard experience remained uninterrupted'
While the threat of piracy and abduction was previously ranked 'moderately low', in February it was downgraded by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to 'low'. However, those onboard a vessel, including luxury cruise ships, are still advised to be 'vigilant'.
Described as a 'modern, yet timeless' ship that 'offers both exciting, novel experiences', the Queen Anne voyage is up to 1,058ft in length, accommodating 92 cabins spread across 13 decks.
With prices for the cruise line's first ever world voyage starting at $16,379 per person, according to Cruise Critic, passengers have access to the world class vessel's pools, restaurants, promenade deck, spa and sweeping staircase, alongside luxury suites that even come with a personal butler.
In a statement given to Business Insider regarding the possible risk of piracy for those onboard, a representative for Cunard said: 'As part of standard maritime procedures, our Captains may make precautionary announcements when sailing through certain regions.
'There was no specific threat to the ship or its guests, and our onboard experience remained uninterrupted.'
