Cruise Safety: 7 Tips To Stay Safe On A Cruise Ship Vacation

29.12.2023 - 11:21 / forbes.com

Taking a cruise can be anything from a short but welcome escape from daily life to a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation. Cruising is generally a safe travel option, and the majority of voyages conclude without any major incidents.

But as with any travel experience, it makes sense to be prepared and take a number of precautions to ensure your own personal safety when cruising.

You may have read some horror stories about how cruise ships are dangerous, lawless places when sailing in international waters, but the reality is quite different.

Regardless of where they sail, all cruise ships operate under international rules known as Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). These regulations cover fire safety, navigation rules, maritime security, and the requirement to help another vessel in need. Additional rules come into play in various parts of the world.

All cruise ships will have a security officer, and a team of people responsible for the safety and security of passengers and crew. The majority of public areas are covered by camera equipment, while there are sensors in place to detect, for example, something being thrown or fallen overboard.

While issues like small galley fires or technical issues such as electrical outages can occur, they are usually swiftly dealt with. Nevertheless, once you're on board, taking a number of personal safety precautions is important to ensure a safe and secure cruise travel experience. Here are seven tips to get you started.

Overindulgence in alcohol can increase the risk of accidents, or making bad decisions. Drink responsibly, know your limits, and avoid accepting drinks from strangers.

The best way to keep your alcohol consumption in check is to avoid the temptation of beverage packages. While they can often seem good value, having an unlimited drinks package encourages excessive drinking.

Excessive alcohol consumption also risks your health, especially when paired with hot weather. Not only can it add empty calories, but it can increase the risk of dehydration.

Of course, enjoying an alcoholic beverage or two is an important part of a vacation for many people. If you do decide to indulge, try to do so in moderation and always make sure you’re drinking water alongside that tempting cocktail.

Your cabin, stateroom, or suite should be a safe haven during your cruise vacation. To ensure this, always make sure that your cabin door is securely closed and locked. If your cabin door has deadbolts, use them for an added layer of security.

Avoid casually sharing your cabin number. Exercise caution when revealing it, even to crew members, and ensure they genuinely need this information.

Typically, your cabin number will not be printed on your cruise card. Because of this, it’s tempting