December 12, 2005

Re: Cruise Line Safety and Security

Dear Honorable Committee Members:

My name is Mrs, Jennifer Hagel Smith. I am 26 years old, and I am from Cromwell, Connecticut.

I met George Allen Smith IV on June 8, 2002, while I was living in Newport, Rhode Island, obtaining my Masters in Education. We quickly fell in love. Just as quickly, George became a very special part of my very close family.

My mother, Debbie, was a stay at home mom before she opened her own real estate office. My father, John, is a retired police sergeant and general contractor. My Dad was proud to say "yes" when George asked him for my hand in marriage on Valentine's Day in 2004. Everyone absolutely adored George.

George and I were excited about beginning our life together. George was going to assume responsibility of his Dad's business, while I was going to start teaching third grade in Westport. We planned to have at least two children. If we had a boy, which we both secretly hoped for, we would name him "George the Fifth," of course.

On a perfect Saturday on June 25th, 2005, we recited our vows overlooking the water in Newport, Rhode Island, where we first met, Our parents were bursting with pride on this euphoric day. It was truly the best day of my life!

July 5th, 2005, was the worst day of my life. This was the day when I lost my husband and my best friend during our honeymoon cruise. We both lost our dream of raising a family together, and the dream of giving our parents more grandchildren to love and spoil, This was the day that would forever change my life, and shatter the lives of our families.

Three Royal Caribbean Cruise line men told me that my husband had gone overboard in Greek waters.

When I heard these cruel words, I literally felt my world spinning out of control. This could not be happening. My heart felt like it was caving in, being crushed inside my chest. "What are you saying? Why are you telling me this?" I couldn't breathe. I felt like I was suffocating. My teeth were chattering, tears were falling, and then I went numb all over.

The cruise line men took me to a main gathering area on the ship where other passengers were laughing and smiling and milling around. These sights and noises made me feel nauseous. I felt completely and utterly alone. There was no compassion, sympathy or sensitivity shown by the cruise line.

Another cruise line employee took me to an empty cabin. I was told to take a shower. I received a tank top, T-shirt and gym shorts all with the Royal Caribbean logo splashed across them. Having to wear the cruise line logo humiliated me.

I asked if I could contact George's parents immediately. The cruise line told me not to call anyone; however, I couldn't bare the weight of this nightmare alone. Finally, the cruise line permitted me to call my family. My mother answered the phone. She heard me crying and handed the telephone to my Dad. He began to wail when he heard that George was gone. We did not know what to do or where to turn.

The Captain of the cruise ship told me that I had to leave the ship with the Turkish police. I was afraid. I wanted to stay on the ship and find out what happened to George, and I desperately wanted my parents to fly to the next port to meet me. I called my Dad. The Captain promised him that I would leave the ship for only a short period of time. He promised my Dad that two ship security officers would accompany me at all times. He ensured us that the officers would promptly return me to the ship.

I was interrogated by a Turkish police officer in an office at the port. I was then driven into the city to a Turkish police station where I was mocked and taunted as I sat crying and bewildered. Where were the two cruise line security officers? I was then taken against my will, further from the cruise ship, to a hospital. A man, who I could not understand, lifted up my shirt and looked down my shorts without taking me to a private examining room.

When I finally returned to the port, all of our suitcases were brought down and left on the dock. Our clothes and personal items, which could not be crammed in the suitcases, were haphazardly stuffed into 10 plastic souvenir bags, all emblazoned with the Royal Caribbean logo. My eyes became transfixed on a pair of George's sneakers sticking out of one plastic bag. This memory will forever haunt me.

The ship sailed without me that evening. I was left in Turkey with no money, no plane ticket, no food, nothing ... The cruise line did not offer me help with a flight, hotel arrangements, or anything. I could not speak the native language and I felt abandoned.

I had to borrow money to pay for a hotel. I was mentally and physically exhausted and had not been offered anything to eat all day. Borrowing a telephone to call home once again, my Dad provided his credit card to pay for my flight home. After two long flights, I arrived at JFK and literally collapsed into the arms of my parents.

Since returning home, I have cooperated completely with the FBI. These agents have been working relentlessly to bring closure and justice to our lives. The Bureau has asked me to remain silent about the events surrounding that night before docking in Turkey, so as not to jeopardize their ongoing investigation. I agreed, and thus have remained true to my word. The FBI has allowed me to speak about my deplorable treatment following the death of my husband, although nothing else. I am anxious for the opportunity to tell my full story, when the FBI believes I can freely explain everything that I knew then and have come to learn since the death of my husband without interfering with their vigilant investigation.

The cruise line has taken advantage of my silence. Initially, the cruise line issued a statement attacking George, stating that it was just an accident and suggesting that it was all George's fault. Subsequently, I have come to learn that the cruise line knew all along that there was blood in and outside of our cabin as well as other substantial evidence of foul play. As if this were not bad enough, you can imagine my shock and disbelief when I read a local Connecticut newspaper, in which Michael Crye, President of the International Council of Cruise Lines ("ICCL"), blamed George's death on both of us by stating "it's difficult if someone chooses to do harm to themselves or their companion." I don't know if Mr. Crye is married or if he has children of his own, but I find his reckless remarks offending our reputations and character both hurtful and irresponsible.

I have tried to put these malicious comments in proper perspective, coming as they do from a cruise line which obviously did not care for the well being of me or my husband. I see now that it was only our business they valued - not our safety and security.

In recent months, I have learned that Royal Caribbean is a corporate felon involving crimes of dishonesty. They are incapable of protecting U.S. citizens without direct federal oversight and regulation. No other families should have to endure our pain or have their lives destroyed just like the families here today. The cruise industry should spend less time attacking victims and more time making passenger safety its' number one priority. I would also spend the largest part of the following year's budget ensuring just that.

Our families have received many letters, cards and telephone calls both from the public and members of the media, expressing their concern for us and offering their support. I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been so supportive and understanding of our feelings in this time of crisis.

I am committed to determining what happened to my husband and seeing that justice is served. I have retained a law firm in Miami, Florida to assist our families with our goal of finding the truth. We have already sent many letters to the cruise line requesting information, as well as access to the cruise ship in order to conduct a thorough inspection and investigation. To date, the cruise line has provided us with no information and no assistance. We have not been permitted to board the cruise ship, even though the ship is now sailing from the Port of Miami.

Under these circumstances, we are appealing to the American public to help our family. We are offering a reward of $100,000.00 for new information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for George's death. I have created a website - HagelSmith.com - which explains this further. If you were on this cruise, or if you know of any circumstances surrounding my husband's disappearance, please help us!

Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to address your committee. I also want to especially thank my Congressman, Mr. Christopher Shays, and George's parents, Maureen and George Smith III, and my sister-in-law, Bree, for their determination and efforts, which have focused the committee's attention on this most important matter.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Hagel Smith

Issued December 15, 2005

All of us at Royal Caribbean extend our deepest sympathies to Jennifer Hagel-Smith and the Smith family. They have suffered an inconsolable loss, and it is totally understandable they want answers and some measure of closure regarding George Smith’s disappearance. We also realize members of the family remain in deep shock and pain, and their recollections of events may not reflect what actually happened. In many cases, our computer systems and other records, which we have given to the FBI, tell a different story.

On July 5, Jennifer was accompanied by a ship staff member—a female Guest Relations Manager—from approximately 10 a.m. to approximately 6 p.m., when she was placed in the care of a female U.S. consulate official and an FBI agent. The only time Jennifer and the Guest Relations Manager were not together was for a brief period at the Turkish police station when Jennifer was being questioned by a Turkish judge, at which point she was joined by representatives from both the U.S. Consulate and the FBI, who we had called at 10:19 a.m. (3:19 a.m. Miami time).

Several people were asked by the Turkish police to disembark the ship so they could get statements from them. Jennifer was among those being questioned. Prior to leaving the ship, however, the Captain personally spoke to Jennifer’s father by phone—and in her presence—to explain what the Turkish police were requesting and to convey his offer of assistance to the family.

Turkish police conducted two interviews with Jennifer that afternoon, once in their port offices and once in their downtown facilities. As part of their investigation, Turkish authorities also requested Jennifer undergo a brief physical exam, which was conducted at a local hospital to determine if there were any injuries or signs of a struggle. The ship’s Guest Relations Manager was with Jennifer during the medical exam. It is totally understandable Jennifer was upset at being the subject of a police investigation—spouses are often questioned in investigations involving family—so we made sure she was not alone.

After authorities completed their investigation, Jennifer was given the choice of sailing with the ship—but in another cabin since the Smith’s cabin was sealed—or returning home. Jennifer said repeatedly she preferred to leave the ship.

Royal Caribbean initially offered Jennifer assistance in making arrangements to return home but the U.S. Consulate ultimately took this responsibility over. With Jennifer’s concurrence, all of the Smith’s belongings, including wallets with cash and credit cards from their cabin safe, were delivered to U.S. Consulate staff, who, in turn, returned them to Jennifer. We also provided Jennifer with contact information for local Royal Caribbean staff in Kusadasi. At no time was Jennifer left without resources or contact information.

We continue to cooperate closely with the FBI and to observe the limitations they have asked us to respect.

Comment from CND: As we said in our article, since the two accounts are completely different, obviously one of the parties is not remembering anything correctly. Our money is on the Royal Caribbean account being the most accurate. As a publicly traded company, it would be inconceivable that they would step forward with such a statement if they did not have documented proof of their actions and testimony of each of the involved people, ready to prove Mrs. Smith wrong should she challenge them.

Free shipping & 110% price guarantee when shopping at eBags

Click here for luggage at eBags.com

Click here for eBags.com Travel Accessories