Pirate Threat Forces Cruise Ship Into Safety Mode
A luxury voyage aboard Cunard’s Queen Anne took a serious turn when passengers were suddenly told to switch off lights and close curtains—not for mood, but for safety.
Setting sail from Germany in January, the Queen Anne recently entered the Sulu-Celebes Sea, between Darwin and Manila. Though typically calm, this region is known for occasional pirate activity, prompting swift precautionary measures.
As the ship entered high-risk waters, the captain declared a “heightened level of security alertness.” Safety protocols included closing external decks overnight, minimizing deck lighting, and instructing passengers to turn off lights and keep curtains drawn.
Passengers shared mixed reactions on social media. A TikTok video of the announcement went viral, with some viewers expressing concern and others noting these were standard precautions in certain regions.
Former cruise staff confirmed that such protocols are common and that armed security teams may even join ships passing through piracy-prone areas.
While pirate attacks on cruise ships are extremely rare—cargo vessels are more typical targets—precautionary measures are routine in hotspots like parts of Southeast Asia and the Somali coast.
Cunard later released a statement clarifying there was no specific threat and that “onboard experiences remained uninterrupted.” They emphasized that these are standard safety measures taken to ensure guest security.
This incident underscores the cruise industry’s focus on safety—even in low-risk scenarios—ensuring that passengers can enjoy their voyage with added peace of mind.
