Murders And Rapes On Cruises

My best friend, Michelle, and I decided to celebrate our thirty-year friendship. I have known her since I was five years old, and so we thought, ���How about going on a cruise together?��� We decided to take a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Mexican Riviera in February 2006. Just think -- seven days of fun and sun, relaxing with umbrella drinks in our hands. I couldn���t wait���But little did I know of the dangers that awaited me... The trip started out great ��� Ports of call, dinners, shows, drinks in the lounges, meeting other passengers and dancing. We were having so much fun, but everything in my life changed on February 21, 2006���

Michelle and I were in the Viking Crown Lounge, when we were approached by a crew member, whose badge indicated that he was a ���security guard.��� He demanded to see our IDs and asked whether we were old enough to be drinking in the bar. He asked for our cabin number. As the night continued, Michelle and I talked and danced with other passengers. When I decided to go up and request a song, that same crew member approached me and held my wrist and kissed me, while trying to whisper something in my ear. I said, ���No, get away���. Then, I headed back to be with Michelle and get away from this man. I was upset, so Michelle brought me back to my cabin and waited for me to fall asleep, before she headed back to the lounge. Later, there was a knock at the door. It was dark. Thinking it was Michelle, I opened the door halfway, but it was him! He forced his way into my cabin and pushed me onto the bed. I struggled and tried to resist, but he raped me. He left me, passed out on the bed with ligature marks around my neck.