Avoiding Theft in Europe

[starvenger]

It’s a good point. The front pocket is a little more secure, but it’s not pickpocket proof, especially if you have loose pockets.

 

[tlprice]

We didn't carry our Passports.

We didn't carry our Passports.

Just an FYI, on current Mediterranean cruises you have to take your passports off the ship with you. They WILL be required to return to the ship. The only place we didn't have to show it to get back on the ship was in Naples. I think that was because we were not at the main cruise ship dock so they just checked our Key to the World cards.

 

[blabadie]

Question about crossbody bags...are the ones with detachable straps vulnerable? Do pickpockets specialize in detaching the strap from behind?

It seems a lot of the (non-travel brand) medium-to-large sized crossbodies come with detachable straps (and with 3 kids in tow something small won't work.) We plan to wear passports in spandex moneybands, but I would carry phone, credit card, cash in the purse...

I'm not truly concerned for our British Isles Cruise but I want to get a crossbody for traveling convenience and would ideally like something safe enough for riskier destinations too.

 

[AquaDame]

Watch for scams meant to distract you. One I ran into last summer in the Stuttgart train station is what I assume was a woman with a baby approaching me and asking for money. This is a well-known scam and she is working with someone else who will see where you take your cash from and steal from you when you are distracted. Just ignore her and keep walking.

Honestly even if you don't pull out money they also look to see where you put your hands - people sometimes mindlessly pat where there money is to make sure it is still there. Sure it is. For now. Those frequent unnecessary checks can cost you.

 

[TestingH2O]

Question about crossbody bags...are the ones with detachable straps vulnerable? Do pickpockets specialize in detaching the strap from behind?

I don’t know about specializing, but the ones designed for travel have detachable straps. The difference is that the clips lock.

You might still look at the travel bag companies (PacSafe and Travelon) to see what they offer in larger sizes.

 

[mevelandry]

I don’t know about specializing, but the ones designed for travel have detachable straps. The difference is that the clips lock.

You might still look at the travel bag companies (PacSafe and Travelon) to see what they offer in larger sizes.

Had both PacSafe and Travelon and love those bags!

 

[cruiser21]

We didn't carry our Passports.

Just an FYI, on current Mediterranean cruises you have to take your passports off the ship with you. They WILL be required to return to the ship. The only place we didn't have to show it to get back on the ship was in Naples. I think that was because we were not at the main cruise ship dock so they just checked our Key to the World cards.

You could just take a copy of your passport.

 

[Kate_45]

You could just take a copy of your passport.

Really? Are you sure about that? We had several reminders including a note on the navigator to remind you to take your passport ashore and not once did they say a copy was an option.

 

[cruiser21]

Really? Are you sure about that? We had several reminders including a note on the navigator to remind you to take your passport ashore and not once did they say a copy was an option.

Are you sure about that? Really? Geez! Yeah I just got back and that's what I did. Just because Disney didn't give you the option doesn't mean it's not an option.

 

[southerngirl528]

Question about crossbody bags...are the ones with detachable straps vulnerable? Do pickpockets specialize in detaching the strap from behind?

PacSafe and some other brands have cut-proof straps.

 

[Kate_45]

Yeah I just got back and that's what I did.

Thank you.
That's all you needed to say

 

[cruiser21]

Thank you.
That's all you needed to say

All you need to do was ask nicely. I don't answer questions or give advice on something I don't have first hand experience with.

 

[Agent 86]

Just an FYI, on current Mediterranean cruises you have to take your passports off the ship with you.

Yes, that's true. I was talking more generally about our daily adventures in Europe before and after the cruise.

We mostly do Disney Port Adventures (if any) when on the cruise and they keep you within such a tightly contained, safe and orderly "Disney" bubble that we were never too worried.

 

[Agent 86]

It’s a good point. The front pocket is a little more secure, but it’s not pickpocket proof, especially if you have loose pockets.

On crowded trains and similar, I'd just put my hand in my front pocket which had my (slimline) wallet in it. Although, with current fashions for slimmer fitting shorts / jeans, the pockets are pretty hard to get into!

 

[Deb T.]

Honestly even if you don't pull out money they also look to see where you put your hands - people sometimes mindlessly pat where there money is to make sure it is still there. Sure it is. For now. Those frequent unnecessary checks can cost you.

A TV show years ago was highlighting various scams. On one segment, they showed a sign on a busy sidewalk that said, "Pickpockets ahead. Secure your wallet." Sure enough, men were immediately pulling their wallets out of their back pockets and sliding them into their front pockets... in plain view of anyone who might target them! It showed the pickpocket experts exactly where to steal from!

 

[cruiser21]

This has been my experience in Europe take it with a grain of salt.
Dover, Scotland, Norway, Iceland to Copenhagen 2016. Disney took our passports we didn't get them back until day 10. We used our drivers licenses.

Med 2015. We used our drivers license. Greek Isles the same.

Transatlantic 2018- Disney took our passports and gave us copies. They gave our passports back to us before we got to Lisbon. I got off the ship in the Azores with just my DL. The port official(not Disney) told me to make sure I had my passport or a copy. The next 4 ports in Portugal and Spain I took my copies and so did most people since DCL had given us copies.

I personally would not take my passports off the ship unless I was told by a port authority person that I absolutely could not use a copy. I don't carry anything with me that I can't afford to lose.

 

[LVSWL]

Great advice, Shanti! I am a huge Rick Steves Fan (Back Door to Europe books and PBS shows), and before we visited Europe some years back, I was scouring Rick's books and DVD's for great advice. He recommended something I had always thought kind of well....odd & silly.... a money belt. After doing some additional research, and finding a very slim cloth money belt that as a woman I could easily slip beneath the waist of my trousers, I bought one. And I used that sucker! Yes, it felt a little odd to pull it out and unzip it at times, but let me tell you, I NEVER once had to even think, "Is my backpack/handbag zipped up?", "Is my bag one that's strap is cut proof from a pickpocket?", "Am I holding my bag close enough to the front of my body for no one to access it", or worry about leaving it hanging on a chair in a cafe somewhere or on a train or bus.

I kept my passport, credit cards, all I.D. and cash that wasn't pocket change in that belt. And it gave me HUGE peace of mind. I would definitely do the money belt thing again.

While my son was studying in Spain we visited Barcelona & Paris. Rick's book was invaluable. We experienced several of the scams he mentioned and were so glad that we recognized them immediately and had no problems.

 

[southerngirl528]

While my son was studying in Spain we visited Barcelona & Paris. Rick's book was invaluable. We experienced several of the scams he mentioned and were so glad that we recognized them immediately and had no problems.

I know! Rick Steves is an awesome resource for European trips, isn't he? Glad it was a help to your son too!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Question about crossbody bags...are the ones with detachable straps vulnerable? Do pickpockets specialize in detaching the strap from behind?

It seems a lot of the (non-travel brand) medium-to-large sized crossbodies come with detachable straps (and with 3 kids in tow something small won't work.) We plan to wear passports in spandex moneybands, but I would carry phone, credit card, cash in the purse...

I'm not truly concerned for our British Isles Cruise but I want to get a crossbody for traveling convenience and would ideally like something safe enough for riskier destinations too.

I got a travel crossbody from ebags and the straps are not detachable and are cut resistant. Great bag for traveling. Looks cute too. I think mine was about $40, but they have some more expensive brands that are also nice on their site too.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

This is the bag I got! I just figured out how to do screen shots. The price is 39.99 but got cut off in the shot. It's an awesome bag.