[Stoat]

I know it’s millions of square miles of ocean we’re talking about, but it seems to me that suppressing these guys might be a worthwhile (and fun!) mission for some small part of the U.S. Navy. Protecting commercial shipping from piracy is the historical basis fro having a navy, no?

Agreed, and this (forced) edit from the Sky News article brings another question:

British passengers have paid more than £15,000 for the cruise

Live rates at 2008.12.01 16:48:44 UTC
15,000.00 GBP	=	22,250.91 USD
United Kingdom Pounds		United States Dollars
1 GBP = 1.48339 USD		1 USD = 0.674130 GBP

XE.com Conversion - 15,000.00 GBP to USD

How long before well-heeled passengers who can afford a $22K cruise start abandoning the cruise lines and driving them out of business because the cruise companies disclose the defenses of their ships to all, including pirates ?

[TC Rider]

I would gladly man a M2 for a cruise passage. Hell, I'd pay for the privilege.

[Atlas Sneezed]

How long before well-heeled passengers who can afford a $22K cruise start abandoning the cruise lines and driving them out of business because the cruise companies disclose the defenses of their ships to all, including pirates ?

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Some people want exotic vacations (bored of the Caribbean), and a 32-day cruise from Rome to Singapore is going to pass through this area.

Also, my understanding is that merchant vessels (including cruise ships) are not permitted to be armed, according to international maritime law.