Cunard Cruise Ship Issues Pirate Warning During Southeast Asia Voyage

MANILA, Philippines — Passengers aboard Cunard‘s Queen Anne received a chilling announcement as the ship navigated through waters historically known for piracy threats during its 111-night maiden world voyage. Captain Inger Klein informed guests of the heightened security measures as the vessel traversed the Sulu-Celebes Sea, which lies between Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

During the announcement, which gained traction on social media, Klein detailed precautionary measures including dimming external lights and closing off access to the external promenade deck from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. overnight. The announcement requested passengers keep cabin lights off and curtains drawn to minimize visibility from outside the ship.

A TikTok user, known as @lillydapink, posted a video of the announcement, which has since been viewed nearly 9 million times. She expressed surprise at the warning, stating, ‘I didn’t know there were pirates around this area. We are crossing from Darwin to Manila.’

Cunard later confirmed there was no specific threat to the ship or its passengers. A spokesperson stated, ‘As part of standard maritime procedures, our Captains may make precautionary announcements when sailing through certain regions.’ They emphasized that the onboard experience remained uninterrupted and that extensive security measures were in place.

Stewart Chiron, a Florida-based cruise industry expert, commented on the situation, explaining that it is rare for cruise ships to navigate through pirate-prone areas unless absolutely necessary. ‘Very few ships have experience in these waters, and security teams review conditions continually before ships arrive in impacted areas,’ said Chiron.

The Sulu-Celebes Sea has a history of maritime crime, including abductions linked to groups like Abu Sayyaf, a militant group operating in the southern Philippines. However, the last reported abduction in the area occurred in 2020, according to reports.

Social media reactions to the announcement ranged from humor to concern, with one user jokingly commenting, ‘Bro, my timbers would be shiveringggg,’ while another mentioned they would hide under the bed. Some users took the opportunity to express their disbelief that a luxury cruise would have to implement such measures.

The Queen Anne, which carries over 3,350 passengers and embarked on its voyage from Hamburg, Germany, on January 7, has made port calls across the globe, including England, New York, and Australia. The ship is scheduled to complete its voyage back to Hamburg on April 29 after stops in the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, and Singapore.

Despite the fears raised by the announcement, Cunard reassured passengers that safety remains their top priority. Captain Klein asserted that the likelihood of an incident occurring during their transit is minimal due to the extensive measures in place for such situations.