http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/fl-holland-america-cruise-rape-overboard-20140218,0,7727316.story

Correct link Oh my. Oh my.

What a horrible experience this poor woman went through. She will be scarred for life, and undoubtedly will need counseling for a very long time in an attempt to recover from this. Hopefully she can be able to lead a somewhat normal life after this incident has become a distant memory.
This is so uncharacteristic of the thousands and thousands of Cruise ship personnel my wife and I have encountered over the last 25 years of Cruising. They are always so well behaved, well mannered, and appear to truly enjoy their job, and always willing to assist anyway they can. Fortunately, this one "bad apple" is the exception rather than the rule when it comes to the Cruise Industry Service Personnel, and I hope his actions won't create a lasting "ripple effect" of the Cruise Industry which doesn't need any more negative publicity at this time. Breaking down in the middle of the Gulf, and not having creature comforts is certainly an unwanted experience, but what this woman had to endure is something no one should have to experience. God Bless her.

We've been cruising since 1987 ourselves and have always encountered truly wonderful ship's personnel. As far as a lasting effect on the cruise industry, perhaps somehow some good could come from this horrific tale. This woman truly was a fighter, a survivor and I wish her the very best.

I see this incident is now on CNN's website. I'm glad they didn't mention it was a nude cruise as many people would probably blame the victim. Very very sad story.

Agreed. Some people on Cruise Critic are saying that.

Another link
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...lled-son-b.html

This article ain't a great ad for BN as it incorporates have their website in the article.

Who knows how this will play out in court. I suspect he will get a public defender and I wonder what his defense will be. It says he told his cabin mate right away and has admitted to authorities once on land.

Clearly he snapped.

What gives US the jurisdiction? The fact the cruise began in Florida? What if it had started in St martin/Maarten and ended in FLL? Or passed thru FLL on the way back to Phillipsburg?

I think I know why the Captain had a plank in the old days

The people they hire are cheap labor from third world countries. That's why cruising has been so affordable for most folk. I'm surprised it hasn't happened more.
And, I'm sure that most of the illness people are experiencing, and that seems to be of common occurence now, is from poor hygene related to the same personel. I'm surprised that there hasn't been an out break of disease that has been eradicated in the US on one of these cruise ships. It's just a matter of time.

I'm not picking on the personel. It's not their fault they were born in an impoverished country. Cruise ships are a way out of poverty and an oportunity. But, unfortunatley this is what you get.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-03...port-everglades

He entered a plea of not guilty, anybody know the typical minimum sentence if found guilty

Post deleted by Bill_S