It all started Sept 11, 2001. That was when I was awakened in my hotel bed in Vancouver BC by the news report of the hijacking. Our cruise to Alaska was scheduled for the next morning. 4 days later, we were still sitting in Vancouver with no place to go and nothing to do. It was a nightmare, a very expensive nightmare. Since then, I've been told that security for cruises rivals that for commercial air travel. One thing I recommend you bring is extra cash, we ran out waiting to get on the boat. It helps if you take an extra sense of humor as well. Unfortunately, I didn't pack any extra on my trip. I'll never go on another cruise the rest of my life. I hated the ocean when I was a sailor, it didn't get any better when I had to pay for it.