The short answer
Pickpocketing is the most common crime against tourists in busy European cities. The State Department warns about it in Spain, France (especially the Paris Metro) and Greece (especially the Athens metro). Strikes are common in France, Italy and Greece and can stop trains, flights and port tours. Enroll in the State Department's STEP program so you get alerts.
Pickpockets
- Spain: the State Department says pickpocketing is 'very common', especially in tourist areas, airports, train stations and beaches.
- France: pickpocketing and phone snatching are frequent, especially on the Paris Metro and in crowded stations.
- Greece: pickpocketing and purse-snatching happen at popular tourist sites and on public transit, especially the metro. Thieves may create a distraction or push you.
- Rental cars are frequent targets for break-ins in Spain, France and Greece.
Simple protection
- Leave your passport in the cabin safe unless the port requires it. Carry a copy.
- Use a cross-body bag or money belt worn in front.
- Keep your phone out of back pockets and off café tables.
- Be extra careful on crowded buses, metros and tender boats.
Strikes
- France: strikes and demonstrations happen regularly and can disrupt transport.
- Spain: demonstrations are common and can turn violent. Avoid them.
- Italy: the Ministry of Transport keeps an official strike calendar at scioperi.mit.gov.it.
- If your own tour is affected, the ship's shore excursion desk will usually tell you. Independent travelers should check local news the day before.
STEP enrollment
- STEP is the State Department's free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
- It sends you safety alerts and helps the embassy reach you in an emergency.
- The State Department advises cruise passengers to enroll.
Your checklist
Sources & what we could not confirm · 5 sources · checked 2026-11
- State Dept: Spain
- State Dept: France
- State Dept: Greece
- State Dept: Cruise ship passengers (STEP advice)
- STEP enrollment
Still being confirmed
- Italy, including Rome: the State Department Italy page blocked automated reading, so no Rome-specific quote is given.
- The Italian strike calendar site (scioperi.mit.gov.it) blocked automated reading. The address is given, but its current content was not checked.
- No official Greek strike calendar was found. The State Department Greece page has a strikes heading with no details.
- The claim that ships wait for their own tours but not for independent travelers is common cruise policy, not checked on a specific line's page.