by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:50 AM ET, Fri March 21, 2025
Passengers onboard the Queen Anne during its 111-night maiden world voyage were warned of pirates and told to take precautionary measures while sailing in Southeast Asia earlier this month.
The news has since gone viral, with passengers posting about their experiences on TikTok and other social media platforms.
According to the New York Post, the ship’s Captain Inger Klein made the announcement on March 13, telling passengers the area they were entering was “known for piracy threats,” and telling them to turn off all cabin lights, shut their curtains and doors and avoid windows, balconies or open decks.
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“Therefore we will be operating at a heightened level of security alertness during this period,” said Klein in her announcement. “The external promenade deck will be closed on both sides from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. overnight between the night of 14th and 15th of March. And no guests will be allowed access during these times for the duration of the transit.”
The ship was prepared to combat potential piracy: passengers filmed video footage of the pressurized fire hoses installed on the promenade, considered modern-day cannons. All was considered standard procedure for the cruise line when sailing in this region.
The region they sailed through, the Sulu and Celebes seas, is the ocean surrounding Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines—and has been associated for centuries with piracy.
According to the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, the pirates in the area may be affiliated with or support ISIS.
Despite the alarming warning and ensuing precautionary measures, the ship and all its passengers arrived safely in Manila following the two-day trek across the seas. The world cruise is still well on its way, expected to end in Hamburg, Germany on April 29.
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