Cunard’s Queen Anne cruise ship made headlines recently as it navigated through the notorious waters of the Sulu-Celebes Sea, a region infamous for piracy. Passengers on the 111-night maiden world voyage received a chilling announcement regarding heightened security measures due to the risk of piracy, stirring both concern and intrigue.
On March 23, 2025, as the ship sailed between Darwin, Australia, and Manila in the Philippines, Captain Inger Klein informed the guests that this particular area is dubbed as "known for piracy threats." In an announcement broadcasted via the ship’s loudspeakers, Klein urged passengers to close their curtains and turn off their cabin lights. “As part of standard maritime procedures, our Captains may make precautionary announcements when sailing through certain regions,” said the captain. The message immediately created an atmosphere of unease among the travelers.
To add to the tension, Cunard implemented several precautionary actions, closing the external promenade deck overnight and dimming the deck's lights during the hours of 9 PM to 5 AM. Passengers were instructed to keep lights in their staterooms off and curtains drawn. Videos capturing this announcement circulated on TikTok, with one user, @lillydapink, gaining nearly nine million views and revealing passengers' reactions in real-time.
In the wake of the unusual announcement, reactions varied on social media. One user posted, “Imagine paying top dollar for a luxury cruise, only to be told to turn off the lights and hide like it is a zombie apocalypse drill!” Others expressed appreciation for the crew's efforts. In her follow-up posts, @lillydapink praised the ship’s security, reporting, “The security did an amazing job keeping watch over the ship last night. Well done, guys.”
Despite the attention the fear of piracy garnered, Cunard was quick to clarify that no specific threats were posed to the ship or its passengers. A Cunard spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider, “There was no specific threat to the ship or its guests, and our onboard experience remained uninterrupted.” This aligns with the cruise line’s standard maritime protocol for operating through high-risk areas.
The Sulu-Celebes Sea, while infamous due to its history of piracy, is less dangerous than it once was. Pirate attacks on cruise vessels are relatively rare, with most incidents targeting oil tankers and cargo ships instead. Reports indicate that since 2016, there have been 86 abduction cases connected to groups like Abu Sayyaf, a violent separatist organization based in the southern Philippines, with the last recorded abduction happening in 2020. The International Centre for Counter-Terrorism referred to the area as historically being a "hotbed for crime, piracy, and terrorism." However, the risk remains low for luxury cruise ships like Queen Anne, primarily monitored by international security forces.
Queen Anne, which can accommodate over 3,350 passengers, embarked on its grand voyage from Hamburg, Germany on January 7, 2025. Since then, it has traveled to a multitude of destinations including New York, Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia. The ship is scheduled to return to Hamburg on April 29, following stops in the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Singapore, and Malaysia. This world cruise promises a plethora of experiences, despite the premature piracy-related alerts.
Historical context reveals that while piracy has existed in various forms across centuries, cruise ships have successfully evaded serious incidents in the past. A notable event occurred in 2005 when the luxury cruise ship Seabourn Spirit was targeted by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Despite the attack being serious—pirates fired grenades towards the ship—the crew managed to escape unscathed by utilizing specific navigation strategies.
As passengers onboard the Queen Anne remain vigilant, many are left wondering about the broader implications of traveling through such dangerous waters. The current technology utilized by many cruise lines, including the sonic cannon showcased by @lillydapink in her posts, emphasizes advancements in safety protocols. Many vessels are equipped with Long-Range Acoustic Devices, designed to emit high-frequency sounds to deter or repel potential attackers.
Reflecting on these incidents illustrates a complex balance between adventure and caution—tourists are drawn to the allure of these exotic locales yet are acutely aware of their surroundings due to incidents from the past. The blend of luxury cruising and the fear of piracy presents an unusual narrative, where every sunset and ocean view carries reminders of both past experiences and present precautions.
In the end, as sporadic alerts about piracy prompt passengers to contemplate their safety, Cunard and other shipping companies continue to refine their safety measures. The cruise industry faces a constant challenge; ensuring that the experience remains one of opulence and excitement, while also integrating essential security protocols for every voyage that enters perilous waters. Thus, travelers aboard the Cunard Queen Anne navigate more than just the vast ocean blue; they traverse a curated adventure, filled with both wonder and a sense of caution.
