Cruising has started again, and many people can’t wait to stretch out their sea legs! While most are focusing on the safety of cruising amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to remember that there are other safety factors you should consider on your next cruise.
There are many aspects that cruise lines don’t want to advertise explicitly regarding cruise safety, but those who cruise should be aware of them. Here are a few things to consider that should help make sure you’re as safe as possible on a cruise.
The Good News
While you may worry about safety on cruise ships, it’s important to understand that cruise lines generally take guest safety very seriously. Sometimes, circumstances do happen on board that can endanger the safety of passengers, but cruise lines equip their ships with many features to help balance the risk.
Every cruise ship carries safety gear. They have firefighting teams at the ready to address fires, as well as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. There are lifeboats and life rafts enough to accommodate 125 percent of the people on board, so there’s room for everyone.
All the crew members on board also go through training for passenger safety, so they can assist in the event of emergencies. On top of that, employees on the cruise are trained to deal with theft and other crimes.
What You Can Do To Stay Safe
Even with all of the precautions taken, accidents and other things that pose a risk to passenger safety do occur. You can mitigate the risk to yourself by making sure that you do your part in staying safe. You should:
Practice the Muster Drill
Every ship has a muster drill, and you should not only attend this but pay careful attention to it. Take the time to memorize the exit route assigned to you, since the cruise ship layout can be confusing sight unseen. In emergency mode, it could even feel like a maze.
If an evacuation occurs, leave your possessions. You do not want to waste precious time gathering your bags, toiletries, or anything replaceable. Simply go.
Be Safe When In Your Cabin
Your cabin can serve as your safe haven when onboard the ship. It’s a great place to lock away any valuables you may have brought.
However homey it may feel, it’s important to refrain from hanging laundry or clothing on your balcony, if you have one. It’s a fire hazard for those on board the ship.
Take Care When Moving Around the Ship
While getting around on the ship, you need to do your part to stay safe and avoid common accidents, like slip and falls. That’s why you should always:
- Drink responsibly
- Use the hand railings when available
- Don’t throw anything over the side of the ship, including gum or cigarettes
- Keep an eye on your party when at the pool, as trained lifeguards may not be available
- Wash your hands frequently, since germs are easily spread on board
Cruising is a great way to travel, and many folks love it, but it’s also a given that it poses a reasonable risk to your overall health and safety. Cruise ships don’t want to specifically advertise this since you’re supposed to be in vacation mode — but it’s vital to understand what dangers are present and do what you can to mitigate them for a successful and safe vacation.
About the Author:
Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all kinds of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and named one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators. Mr. Winston is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2020 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite,” recognized by Expertise as one of the 20 Best Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys, named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015-2017, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida for 2015-2017 and 2019.
