You’ve read the articles. Now let’s talk about your trip.
Whether you want a practical safety guide you can print and bring on the ship, a personalized port safety blueprint for your exact itinerary, or a live one-on-one planning session — there are several ways to work together directly.
Every product and consultation is built on the same foundation: years of operational law enforcement experience protecting tourists in high-volume environments, federal-level threat-recognition certifications, and real hands-on cruise industry knowledge.
PDF Guides & One-Sheets
Digital products sold on this page are general educational resources. They do not constitute a formal security assessment, threat evaluation, or professional consulting engagement. Content is based on the author’s background and is intended for informational use only.
Consulting Sessions
Consultation sessions are conducted by Rick Hayes in his personal capacity as a travel safety educator and retired law enforcement professional — not as an active law enforcement officer. Sessions provide general guidance only and do not create an ongoing professional duty of care.
No Guarantee of Outcomes
No product or consultation offered on this page guarantees your safety or the prevention of any specific harm during travel. All travel involves inherent risk that no guide, plan, or consultation can fully eliminate.
Refund Policy
Due to the digital and custom nature of these products, all sales are final unless otherwise stated. If you have a question about a product before purchasing, please use the Contact page before completing your order.
Guides You Can Take With You
Practical expert knowledge you can reference before and during your cruise.
Port Safety One-Sheets
A single-page printable safety briefing for a specific cruise port — built to fit in your pocket or save to your phone before you step off the gangway.
- Port safety overview — what to know before you step off the ship
- Top 3 scams actively targeting tourists at this destination
- Transportation guidance — official stands vs. what to avoid
- Emergency contacts & ship re-boarding reminders
- 5 situational awareness tips from law enforcement experience
Available for any Caribbean cruise port — delivered within 48 hours of your request.
Order — $9Email Consult
A specific question but not ready for a full call? Submit up to 3 questions and get detailed, personalized answers in writing.
- Up to 3 specific questions answered in writing
- Detailed, actionable advice — not generic tips
- One follow-up email included for added clarity
- Delivered to your inbox within 48 hours
Perfect for: port safety questions, ship or cabin comparisons, dining package decisions.
Order — $19The Cruise Safety Handbook
A comprehensive guide covering everything from pre-cruise preparation through port safety, onboard emergencies, and what to do if something goes wrong at sea.
- Pre-cruise safety checklist
- Port safety fundamentals from Times Square & NYC subway experience
- Spotting a pickpocket before they spot you (BOSAR training)
- Hostile surveillance detection basics for tourist environments
- Family & solo traveler safety sections
Destination Safety Blueprint
A personalized 2–3 page briefing for every port on your specific cruise itinerary — not a generic guide, built around your exact sailing.
- Port-by-port safety overview, covering up to 6 ports
- Specific scam patterns active at each destination
- Transportation recommendations for each port
- Emergency contacts for each port
Covers itineraries up to 6 ports ($9 per additional port). Longer itinerary? See the Full Cruise Blueprint below. After purchase, fill out the intake form with your itinerary — delivered within 48 hours.
Order — $47Full Cruise Blueprint
A complete personalized written guide for cruisers who want a comprehensive reference document covering everything from ship strategy through port safety — without scheduling a call.
- Ship recommendation with full reasoning tailored to your group
- Cabin location strategy with specific deck recommendations
- Dining plan — package assessment, restaurant prioritization, booking timing
- Port-by-port activity guide, plus a port safety briefing for every destination — covers up to 7 ports
- One round of email follow-up included at no charge
Covers itineraries up to 7 ports — $9 per additional port beyond that. Sailing something unusual, like a repositioning or world cruise? Contact Rick directly for a custom quote.
Order — $175Live Calls, Personalized to Your Trip
Most quick questions are answered faster — and for less — with a PDF guide or Email Consult above. Book a live call when you want to talk your trip through directly.
A focused call for one or two specific questions before booking.
- Direct answers to your top 1–2 questions
- Ship or itinerary recommendation if needed
- Quick port safety overview if requested
A thorough session from ship selection through boarding day prep.
- Ship & itinerary recommendation for your group, budget, preferences
- Cabin deck & location strategy — where to book, what to avoid
- Dining package value assessment & shore excursion overview
A comprehensive deep dive from ship selection through port-by-port safety intel.
- Full ship & cabin strategy with detailed reasoning
- Detailed port safety briefing for every destination on your itinerary
- One round of email follow-up included at no additional charge
How Cruise Planning Consultations Work
Fill Out the Form
Tell me about your cruise plans, your group, and what you need help with.
24-Hour Follow-Up
I’ll confirm your session and send a payment link.
Complete Payment
You’ll receive a scheduling link to choose your call time.
We Connect
Your session runs at your scheduled time.
Book With Confidence
Armed with personalized expert guidance for your specific trip.
What a Consultation Is — and Isn’t
- Independent expert consulting — a flat fee for time and knowledge.
- Completely unbiased — no financial incentive toward any cruise line, ship, or package.
- Focused on giving you the best possible guidance for your specific situation.
- Not a travel agent arrangement — Rick doesn’t book your cruise or handle your reservation.
- Not commission-based — Rick doesn’t earn commissions on your sailing, regardless of what you book.
- Not a substitute for checking travel.state.gov advisories before any trip.
Request a Product or Book a Consultation
For PDF products, one-sheets and the Handbook are delivered instantly; custom products are delivered within 48 hours. For consultations, I’ll follow up within 24 hours to confirm your session and send a payment link.
- Which product or consultation you’re interested in
- Your cruise timeline — when are you planning to sail?
- Cruise line and ship if already chosen, or general preferences if not
- Group size and any special considerations
- Your top questions or concerns
Working on a story, or securing a workplace?
Rick is available as a written expert source for journalists covering cruise safety and travel security, and for corporate security consulting — including group travel risk assessments and general workplace or office security assessments. For sourcing and background, see the full record of published reports.