They Write Scary Books

Along with fears about terrorists, fears about subprime mortgages, fears about lead paint in toys, high cholesterol, nervous legs, toxic cough medicine, 4-day erections, and falling cranes, Charlie Lipcon says you can add fears about cruise ships:

"More than 12 million people a year take cruises. What they don't know
is that the cruise lines only focus on their own bottom line, not on
keeping passengers safe," says Charles Lipcon, author of "Unsafe on the
High Seas -- Your Guide to a Safer Cruise," available in bookstores and
online at http://www.unsafeonthehighseas.com ($14.95).

  "This book reveals all of the dirty secrets the cruise lines don't want
you to know about," says Lipcon, a leading expert in maritime law for over
30 years.

  Lipcon explains the cruise lines make a profit of over $1 billion per
year, but do not pay a dime of federal income tax due to the "flags of
convenience" they fly. He says because their vessels are not registered in
the United States, cruise lines can avoid being subject to U.S. labor and
tax laws.

  According to Lipcon, out of the 206 crimes aboard cruise ships that
were actually reported from 2003 to 2006, 86 percent were sexual assaults.
Lipcon says children as young as 12 have been lured into the bowels of the
ship and sexually assaulted by crew members.

  Lipcon advises passengers to stay in public areas, set rules for their
children, use all locks on the cabin door and only drink beverages they
have witnessed being prepared.
Other than that, have a great time and really try to relax!