Are Cruises Safe? Details You Should Know Before You Sail

Table Of Content

• Do cruise ships have enough lifeboats?
• Princess Cruises Teams Up to Offer Easy Transportation to Florida Ports
• Where can you find your people? More travelers are looking to themed cruises
• Cruise News Recap: Carnival Hike, Overbooking, Stranded Passengers
• Next Norwegian Ship Will Sail with New Restaurants
• Pay Attention During the Muster Drill

Since modern technical solutions to reduce particles and NOx emissions are long present on the market, not implementing such technologies is largely due to greed. It cost money to install them and furthermore requires the shipowner to use more expensive fuel. In early 2018, the Norwegian company Norsafe AS (lifeboat builder since 1903) presented a newly developed PELB (Partially Enclosed Lifeboat) design for passenger ships. The "Minima-88" lifeboat model is SOLAS compliant, compact (length 8,8 m, width 4,25 m), with capacity 150 people, signal-colored superstructure and white hull.

Royal Caribbean makes a key change for passenger safety - TheStreet

Royal Caribbean makes a key change for passenger safety.

Posted: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Do cruise ships have enough lifeboats?

One of the keys to ensuring safety on board is implementing international rules and regulations. The International Maritime Organization has established the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, which sets out minimum safety standards for vessels, including cruise ships. Note that because they are never far from land-based medical care, most river cruise vessels do not have onboard medical staff. Additionally, medical care can be expensive on cruise ships that do offer it. It's generally not covered by regular health insurance, so always purchase a travel insurance policy.

Princess Cruises Teams Up to Offer Easy Transportation to Florida Ports

Then the units were tested for 24 hours (controlled drift) in rough seas, resulting in no sustained damages. In March 2016, Viking Ocean introduced a new cruise ship evacuation system replacing the traditional lifeboats. The new high-capacity system represents a lifeboat-liferaft hybrid called "LifeCraft". Among the newest equipment are AIS (Automatic Identification System) and ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System). Ship's AIS allows tracking and identifying other vessels, as well as to be identified by land-based stations and other ships. It also helps officers to track floating objects in order to predict their actions.

Where can you find your people? More travelers are looking to themed cruises

On embarkation day, your cabin steward will typically knock on your door to introduce themselves. Although they will be busy, it’s worth taking the time to introduce yourself and establish a rapport. Inside your cabin, you'll typically find a safe, the perfect place to secure electronic items, jewelry, and cash. While the vast majority of cabin stewards are trustworthy and professional, using the safe removes any potential temptation and adds an extra layer of security for your belongings. Cruise ships are generally safe places, but there are some sensible precautions travelers should ...

They included social distancing and mask-wearing requirements, as well as the enhancement of air filtration systems. Other measures included contact tracing protocols, mandatory vaccination requirements and the expansion of onboard medical facilities and staff. Yes, all cruise lines must have medical personnel onboard their vessels to ensure the health and safety of their passengers and crew members.

They also have the authority to place rowdy, violent or otherwise dangerous passengers in the ship's jail, known as a brig. DeCurtis Shield collects and stores basic health parameters using facial recognition and thermal mapping technologies. The information is provided from hardware installed in standalone kiosks throughout the cruise liner. Seahaven can be launched from the cruise liner with the push of a button and during the fall it automatically inflates, with a deployment time of just 4 min.

If you’re traveling with companions, stick together, especially at night or during off-ship excursions. When you’re on a cruise, it’s tempting to let loose and enjoy a few drinks. However, being aware of the impact of alcohol on personal safety is crucial. Cruise lines must have comprehensive emergency response plans that outline procedures for dealing with various emergency scenarios. These plans set clear procedures for evacuating the vessel, providing medical assistance, and communicating with authorities and loved ones onshore.

Cruise ships must operate in compliance with stringent requirements of international law. The regulations cover everything from fire safety to maritime security and navigation. All cruises must adhere to these regulations to ensure a safe and secure voyage.

Cruise lines prioritize the safety and well-being of their guests, crew, and vessels. These companies comply with strict international rules and regulations to ensure safe and secure voyages. According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), a typical cruise ship has more than 60 safety, environmental and health inspections each year.

Many cruise lines increased the number of medical professionals on their ships following the onset of COVID-19. Advances in forecasting and weather monitoring have also enhanced cruise ship safety. This has a key role in routing - the science (and art) of developing best routes for ships based on ship characteristics, weather forecasts, ocean currents, cargo requirements. The main purpose is to find the best balance and minimize fuel consumption and time of transit without placing the ship at risk of crew injury or weather damage. Stepping onto a cruise ship for the first time, I remember feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension about safety. However, having now spent decades enjoying various cruises, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the safety measures and protocols that keep these floating paradises secure.

However, where people can go and what they can do is being more closely regulated. Pool parties and crowded dance floors are likely on hold for a while as well, as some ships limit the number of people who can be in public spaces. One to three days before a cruise, all travelers should get COVID tests. Today, as we near the end of Cruise Week as part of the 2020 TPG Awards, here's a look at what cruise lines are doing (or looking to do) as they plan for a full-fledged restart in the months to come.

Passenger ships - usually defined as a ship carrying more than 12 passengers - on international voyages must comply with all relevant International Marine Organization (IMO) regulations. More than a year after Covid-19 brought cruise ships to a standstill, there are clear signs that cruising could be making a comeback. At that point, they’re assigned a color code (green, yellow, orange, or red) based on confirmed COVID cases or exposures, and whether quarantine rules were followed. And if you’re looking for the latest updates on return to cruising and cruise safety, follow this blog or visit the COVID information page on travel.state.gov. Most ships are sailing at less than full capacity, partly to encourage physical distancing.

Take only necessary cash ashore during excursions and independent exploration in ports. If you do carry cash, use a money belt for the majority, with just a few small bills and coins in your pockets. Finding someone to pair up with for certain activities, especially late at night or in less frequented areas of the ship, is a sensible precaution. The same applies if you’re planning on exploring ports independently.

In the occasion of an outbreak on board, listen closely to instructions. Finally, when it comes to the question of whether cruises are safe, you might have concerns about some of the most headline-grabbing incidents in cruising. We’re talking about the stories that make national headlines, such as people falling overboard, ships breaking down in the open ocean, storms rocking cruise ships, and even a ship sinking. When it comes to the question of being safe on a cruise, perhaps nothing has seen as much attention recently as your health. In the beginning of the pandemic, outbreaks on cruise ships were widely reported. It even led to a pausing of the industry until new protocols were put in place to combat the spread.