Cruise Expert Warns Holidaymakers Of Crime Risks In Top European Ports

British travellers heading to some of Europe’s most famous cruise destinations are being urged to remain on high alert, as concerns about theft and pickpocketing continue to shadow popular ports.

Barcelona with La Sagrada Familia during christmas season

Gary Bembridge, a London-based cruise expert, said that even in well-loved regions such as the Mediterranean, some of the busiest cities carry significant risks for tourists stepping ashore.

Speaking after a series of recent trips, he reminded passengers that “not every port is safe,” despite the steady flow of cruise ships docking in these areas.

In one of his widely watched travel videos, he warned: “Even in the most popular cruising regions – the Caribbean and the Mediterranean – many of the most visited ports are among the riskiest anywhere in the world.”

Five Ports to Watch Out For

Bembridge highlighted several European cities where cruise passengers should be extra cautious:

Barcelona, Spain – Despite an 8.8% drop in recorded crimes in the first half of 2025, the bustling Las Ramblas district remains a hotspot for pickpocketing. “It’s an absolute pickpocketer’s dream,” Bembridge said.
Rome, Italy – The Italian capital ranks second nationally for reported crime, with theft accounting for more than half of cases. Tourists around landmarks such as the Colosseum are frequent targets.
Venice, Italy – Crowds around St Mark’s Square and the city’s narrow alleyways create prime conditions for opportunistic thieves.

Athens, Greece – Incidents on public transport, including the theft of passports, have left some travellers unable to rejoin their cruise. Greek police logged more than 62,000 thefts nationwide in 2023.
Livorno, Italy – A gateway to Pisa and Florence, the Tuscan port connects visitors to two cities known for high levels of pickpocketing. Florence is the country’s third most crime-affected city, according to Italy’s Interior Ministry.

Staying Safe Ashore

Bembridge advises travellers to check the latest government travel guidance before leaving their ship, and to remain vigilant when visiting busy tourist areas.

He also suggested taking contact details for the port representative in case of emergencies.

His safety tips include:

Avoid wearing or carrying valuables.
Stay in busy, tourist-populated areas.
Keep passports and important documents stored safely, with copies kept separately.
Be cautious of distraction techniques often used by thieves.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office echoes these warnings, particularly around theft in city centres and on public transport in Spain, Italy, and Greece.

For some, Bembridge suggests the safest option may be to stay close to the port or even remain onboard. “Even in ports considered safer, there are still risks,” he concluded.

More Port Warnings

I’ve also conducted my own survey on the ports that cruisers regret visiting, although these were less due to crime.

Naples was the port most commonly mentioned, described as being extremely dangerous from a traffic perspective, and very dirty. One person did mention being robbed in the city, too.

Martinique in the Caribbean was another that was described as being less than idyllic, with one person even saying it was “the pits” around the harbour area.

Jamaica, Belize and Alexandria were the other ports that guests said they felt were dangerous, dirty or just downright disappointing.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.