Spotlight on safety: How cruise lines are keeping passengers safe

Table Of Content

• What types of safety measures are taken on cruises?
• Learn About Credit Cards
• Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America
• Will my kids be safe exploring the ship on their own, or do I have to stay with them at all times?
• 2 Regular Inspections and Safety Drills
• Pay Attention During the Muster Drill
• Four MSC Ships Will Cruise from North America next Summer

After cruising, the CDC puts cruise travelers into three buckets, and has different post-trip recommendations for them based on their health status. Cruise ships today are the safest that have ever sailed, thanks to the rules, regulations, and technologicalinnovations that govern their design. In some cases, lines are going even further by not offering any shore tours involving interaction with locals on their cruises at all. They're either running "cruises to nowhere" — cruises without port stops — or visiting only unpopulated areas where passengers can land for outdoorsy activities.

What types of safety measures are taken on cruises?

And yes, this includes having sufficient lifeboats for all passengers and crew members, a requirement that’s part of the international Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) rules. CruiseSafely.com is the best online resource for travel tips, travel warnings, real-time health alerts, safe cruising advice, travel insurance, safety products and much more. Cruise lines follow guidelines set by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of illnesses onboard.

Learn About Credit Cards

Cruise lines use various communication methods to keep passengers and crew informed during an emergency. This includes public address announcements, emergency drills, and detailed safety briefings at the beginning of the voyage. Passengers are also required to attend or watch safety drills and familiarize themselves with the ship’s emergency procedures.

Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America

Titanic's first transmitted distress messages were missed by nearby Carpathia just because her radio officer was on the bridge. Whether you’re a solo traveler or with a group, the buddy system is a golden rule on a cruise. For solo travelers, it’s wise to buddy up with fellow cruisers you trust or participate in group activities. This not only makes the trip more enjoyable but also adds an extra layer of safety. Just be sure to check with customer service for availability and any additional costs that may apply.

Will my kids be safe exploring the ship on their own, or do I have to stay with them at all times?

Cruise ships are like small cities, with distinct areas for passengers and crew. Entering crew quarters is a no-go; these areas are off-limits to passengers for safety and security reasons. Equipped with advanced communication technology, cruise ships can easily communicate with other vessels, emergency services on land, and even satellite systems to ensure rapid assistance in case of an emergency. Yes, there are specific safety rules that passengers need to follow onboard a cruise ship. All guests are required to acknowledge and sign the passenger contract before boarding the ship. Overall, cruise lines take a comprehensive approach to safety and security.

Crime figures — while not all encompassing — are low given the millions that set sail each year. Illness can happen on a ship (there’s no denying that), but due to reporting requirements for cruise ships, they are also more well-known than if they were to happen somewhere on land. As mentioned above, not only is it more common to be struck by lightning, but often other factors come into play that lead to this. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.

They are also more likely to be heard about versus events at hotels or other resorts. As for your physical health, accidents like slip and falls, and even some drownings have taken place on ships. To counter this, you’ll find measures handrails on every staircase, along with high-grip footing on treads.

Pay Attention During the Muster Drill

Under SOLAS, passenger ships are now required to carry enough lifeboats for all passengers. They are outfitted with navigation and communications equipment and basic necessities required for survival until help arrives. If you've watched the news at any point over the past several years, it's likely you've seen disturbing stories about cruise ship norovirus or COVID-19 outbreaks and passengers "falling" overboard. Combine that with reports of sexual assault and fistfights, and it's no surprise you might be wondering whether cruise ships are safe.

Cruise lines use cameras and security personnel to protect both passengers and crew. Security staff monitors public areas 24/7 in person and through security cameras to ensure that guests are safe and resolve issues if there are some. Like other businesses, cruise lines have mostly dropped their vaccination and/or testing requirements. But cruise lines still have safety protocols in place to prevent and control COVID-19 outbreaks on board, Labus said.

Crimes to be reported include homicide, assault with serious injury, theft of over $10,000 and sexual assault, among others. When it comes to being a victim of crime, statistics show that serious crime is relatively rare. That said, our opinion is that many people are safer on a cruise ship than in their hometown.

Carnival Cruise Line warns its passengers about onboard behavior - TheStreet

Carnival Cruise Line warns its passengers about onboard behavior.

Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The cruise line will also run the names of each passenger through a federal database to ensure the unauthorized person doesn’t board the cruise. But most of all, stay informed, judge rationally, and don't let rare unfortunate incidents stop you from traveling the world. Ross A. Klein, an American with dual citizenship and a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, is an authority on the cruise industry, and has testified at hearings before Congress. The Titanic disaster of 1912 led to the first Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treaty. Many revisions have been adopted, both in response to major incidents and as a result of a pro-active approach to keeping the regulations up-to-date. However, some operators including MSC Cruises cater only to passengers living within the European Union's Schengen zone.

Ships are also required to have lifeboats, life rafts and life preservers for every person on board as well as additional capacity. The lifeboats are capable of being loaded, launched and maneuvered away from a ship within 30 minutes of a Captain’s order. Safety drills in multiple languages are held prior to departure from port. With the recent Viking Sky cruise ship evacuation I've heard some travelers saying, "That's it. I'm not ever cruising." The majority of those bookings continue to come from regular cruisers, said Movable Ink's Kross.

Also, many cruise lines have well-stocked medical facilities that can provide treatment for various medical issues. 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. Cruise lines also place a great deal of emphasis on preventing outbreaks of illnesses, both contagious and food-related. All cruise ships have extremely rigorous health protocols and sanitation measures to minimize the risk of sick passengers and crew members.

All cruise ships must be designed and operated in compliance with strict requirements of international law and must follow established rules and regulations to protect everyone on board. Every aspect of cruising is heavily regulated and monitored under both U.S. and maritime law. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about additional safety measures for ships. Each quarter, these statistics are compiled and released to the public to give insight on reported crimes on cruise ships among both passengers and crew. In general, they show a low number of incidents given the millions of passengers sailing each year. All crew members are incredibly well-trained in protecting the safety of everyone on board.