If you’ve watched the news at any point in the past few years, you’ve likely seen disturbing stories about cruise ship norovirus outbreaks or COVID-19 and passengers “falling off”. sea. Combine that with reports of sexual assault and fights, and it’s no surprise that you might wonder if yachts are safe.
Here, I’ll address some of the biggest concerns of some prospective passengers, and offer cruise ship safety tips and advice so you can rest easy on your trip.
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Are cruise ships safe?
Let’s get straight to the point: Well, cruise ships are generally safe as long as you use common sense and remember that ships aren’t immune to accidents, illness or ill manners. As with any place you may live or visit onshore, there are risks, but those risks can be minimized if you keep a few simple principles in mind.
It is important to realize that you should maintain the same level of awareness, self-control, and vigilance as you would anywhere else. When you were at home, would you invite a complete stranger into your bedroom, leave your wallet in plain view, or allow your very young child to run around unattended? If the answer is no, you shouldn’t do those things on a cruise ship either. (And if the answer is yes, I have a question.)
With that, here are some additional tips on how to help you sail safer, followed by answers to some of your most burning safety-related questions.
Travel safety tips
Cruise ship safety measures are in place on every vessel in the fleet of every major cruise line. However, there are some additional tips you can follow to stay safe on a journey.
- Pay attention during assembly drilling. Focus drills are a pain, and no one likes them. However, they tell you what to do in an emergency, so you need to pay attention. The information provided during that time – including where your rally station is and how to wear a life jacket properly – could save your life.
- Keep a close eye on your keycards. Treat it like you would treat your credit card or keys. It grants access to your cabin and also serves as your onboard charge card for purchases. If you lose it, notify customer service immediately so they can deactivate the old one and issue you a replacement.
- Lock your valuables. Keep your jewelry, passport, wallet, electronics and other important items securely locked in the cabin when you’re not using them and don’t leave them lying around in public areas.
- Don’t invite strangers into your cabin. Also, don’t give them your cabin number or reveal sensitive personal information.
- Monitor your children. Leaving young children to roam a train alone without an adult or youth club employee accompanying them is not only potentially unsafe, but can also cause discomfort to other passengers.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol to the point of losing your mind. It can lead to falls or cause you to engage in unsafe behaviors. It can also make you more vulnerable to theft or attack. Plus, a hangover can really get in the way of the next day’s fun.
- Stay away from crew-only areas and never stand on furniture or climb anywhere you are not authorized to go. Restricted areas are restricted for some reason, and entry into those areas could result in injury or death.
- Don’t assume everyone on your boat is trustworthy. Simply being on the same ship doesn’t mean your fellow passengers are advancing. Most are, but some may not. Treat strangers with the same level of scrutiny you would in any other setting.
Is the cop on the cruise ship?
Do cruise ships have police? Is there security on cruise ships? Again, the answer is yes. Cruise ship police are more like security guards, many of whom serve as law enforcement officers or as part of the military in their country of residence when they are not on the ship.
Cruise security guards have the power to prevent scuffles and reduce passenger hostility, drunkenness and other inappropriate behavior. They also have the right to bring in noisy, violent or other dangerous passengers prison of ships, called brig.
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Serious violations may result in cruisers being expelled from the ship at their next port of call and notified to the authorities. However, maritime law is complicated and often unclear when it comes to which country has jurisdiction over crimes committed in international waters.
Will I get sick on a cruise?
Getting sick on a cruise is a possibility. However, ships are subject to the high hygiene standards set forth by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and overseen through the Vessel Sanitation Program, which was implemented in the 1970s.
VSP requires all passenger ships carrying more than 13 people to be subjected to random, unannounced checks if they wish to dock in the United States. The requirements are very strict and any score lower than 86 out of 100 is considered a failure. (The scores and list of violations of all ships can be found on VSP website.)
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest health threat on board was norovirus, which manifests as a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness that is spread easily through food contamination and surface contact in areas near the.
After the coronavirus shut down the industry, cruise lines further enhanced their protocols to include protections against airborne pathogens. These include social distancing and mask wearing requirements, as well as increased air filtration systems. Other measures include new contact tracing protocols, mandatory vaccination requirements and expansion of medical facilities and staff on board.
Many policies related to COVID-19 — including mask wearing and mandatory vaccination requirements — have been relaxed, but lines can restore them quickly if needed.
In addition to following cruise ship wellness policies, there are other ways you can do it reduce your chances of getting sick when you row the boat. The best way to avoid catching and transmitting germs is to wash your hands, especially before eating and after using the toilet or coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces like handrails and elevator buttons.
Hand sanitizer is also abundant on board; While it’s great to use between trips to the sink, it shouldn’t be a substitute for thorough and frequent hand washing. Also, when you cough or sneeze, cough or sneeze into your upper arm or elbow.
For seasickness, throw a few remedies in your bag as you pack. Options that have been tested include Dramamine or Bonine pills, acupressure tapes, ginger candies, and behind-the-ear patches. In case of difficulty, find a green apple or ginger beer from the buffet or room service.
Also, make sure you’re getting enough rest, staying hydrated, wearing the right SPF sunscreen, and knowing your limits when it comes to alcohol.
Above all, if you feel sick before boarding, don’t go on a cruise. Take advantage of yours travel insurance‘s cancel coverage for any reason (if that’s included in your particular policy) to get your money back and avoid infecting others.
Can you fall off a cruise ship?
Yes, it can fell off a cruise ship, but it doesn’t happen without effort. To help ensure passenger safety, cruise ship cabin balconies and outdoor decks feature chest-high balustrades for an average-sized person. Thick metal sheets or Plexiglas or metal bars are positioned under the railings to prevent people from sliding over. Even so, it is important to keep a close eye on young children at all times.
Most overdrivers either fall drunk, enter restricted areas, or engage in behaviors they shouldn’t — such as standing on railings or furniture or climbing between balconies — or a combination of both. those two behaviors.
There’s no way someone would slip on a wet deck or slip through a doorframe and simply fall off a cruise ship.
Do cruise ships have enough lifeboats?
Yes, they do. After the sinking of the Titanic, which did not have enough lifeboats for everyone, the international maritime community developed Safety of Life at Sea standards. According to SOLAS, passenger ships must now carry enough lifeboats for all passengers. They are equipped with navigation and communication equipment as well as basic necessities to survive until help arrives.
In addition, ships are required to keep set of drills for all cruisers before the start of each voyage, even for passengers who have sailed before. During the drills, guests learn what to do and where to report in an emergency. They also learn the sound of emergency signals and how to wear life jackets. (The ship must also carry enough life jackets for everyone, including life jackets specially designed for children and pets.)
Does the cruise ship have a doctor?
Yes, all major mainstream oceanic cruise ships have trained medical staff on board, often a combination of doctors and nurses. Many cruise lines have increased the number of medical professionals on their ships following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cruise ship medical center equipped to perform basic stabilization in the event of accidents, illnesses and other emergencies. However, they are not full hospitals, which means hospital beds are limited and they lack the capacity for more complex treatment. They are designed to keep passengers stable and comfortable until they can be sent to a nearby land-based hospital.
However, they can treat things like seasickness, cuts and bruises and other minor ailments without having to offload the passengers. They are also now equipped to conduct COVID-19 testing and isolation, and have ventilators on hand in case any serious cases arise.
Note that because they are never far from medical care on land, most river cruise ships do not have medical staff on board. Additionally, medical care can be expensive on cruise ships that provide this service. It’s usually not covered by regular health insurance, so I always recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy.
bottom line
So is cruises dangerous? The answer is, in general, no. They are safe if you follow the same general practices you would use anywhere else. It’s easy to let your guard down when you’re having a great time on vacation, but remember: Cruise ships are like floating cities, which means they’re not immune to potential dangers.
Cruise ship safety is the responsibility of both the cruise ship and individual passengers. Make sure to exercise an appropriate level of vigilance by protecting your valuables, not inviting strangers into your cabin or giving out too much personal information, paying attention to drills, regularly Wash your hands, keep an eye on your children, stay out of restricted areas, and know your limits when it comes to alcohol.
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