Margaritaville at Sea, a new venture between the owners of the former Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Margaritaville Enterprises, operates the affected ship. The company, which oversees the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Islander vessels, is now at the forefront of industry discussions about security standards and guest safety.
The Port of Palm Beach has initiated a probation period for Weiser Security Services, the security firm responsible for the port’s safety protocols, after a significant security breach was identified. A passenger was able to board a Margaritaville at Sea ship and spend four days onboard with a fully loaded 9mm gun, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of the current security measures.
Executive Director Michael Meekins has expressed grave concerns regarding this oversight, stressing that such a lapse could have led to a “catastrophic life-altering event” either aboard the vessel or within the cruise terminal. In a decisive response to this incident, detailed in a letter dated December 8, Meekins has demanded that Weiser Security Services submit an “extensive correction action security plan” aimed at preventing any future breaches of this nature.
The situation escalated when U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, typically not involved in pre-boarding inspections, detained the passenger at the end of her cruise. The discovery was made by an X-Ray machine as she was leaving the port. The passenger, described as “unstable and uncooperative,” had her weapon confiscated. However, it remains unclear what, if any, consequences she faced following this incident, as she was not arrested.
This event brings to light the differences in security protocols between airports, where Transportation Security Agents are in charge, and cruise terminals, which often rely on private security companies. The Port of Palm Beach, like many others, outsources its security, a practice now under scrutiny following this incident.
Weiser Security Services’ performance will undergo a thorough review until March 7 to ascertain whether the company will continue its role at the port. Meekins has issued a stern warning to the firm, emphasizing that any future failures in detecting firearms will be deemed unacceptable and could lead to more severe repercussions. This development is particularly pertinent for professionals in the travel and hospitality sector, underlining the critical need for stringent security measures in the industry.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
