Ship Shape: Cruise Ship Safety Tips

Taking a cruise is a time-honored way to vacation in style. That said, it’s always important to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are some cruise ship safety tips to consider before your next trip.

The Elephant in the Room: COVID-19

The majority of this article is designed for general cruise ship safety tips. Of course, we currently live in rather trying times. With the pandemic still ongoing, it is important to check in with official recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the most recent update from the CDC, there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases reported among cruise passengers and crew members.

For the moment, the CDC advises all of us to avoid cruise travel. This recommendation is for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. To learn more, you can visit their official website for up-to-the-minute information.

Cruise Ship Safety Tips: Open Water Drowning Prevention

Now that we’ve addressed the pandemic, let’s talk about basic cruise ship safety tips. As with any water-related activity, hopping on a boat carries a risk of drowning danger.

In fact, drowning is more common than many people realize. It is also far quieter than movies and TV have shown us over the years. More often than not, there won’t be any wild thrashing or screaming. Far too often, a struggling person simply slips silently under the waves while no one is paying attention.

For this reason, learning to swim is the smartest move a person can make before approaching any water. It’s an excellent way to keep you and your family safe on a boat.

Beyond this, a basic boating safety course can also prepare you for boat life. Even though you won’t be steering the cruise ship, the training can help a boater to recognize dangerous situations and teach them how to act.

Setting Safety Rules

Even though a huge ship is often quite stable, it should still be treated with proper respect. Before setting out, one of the best cruise ship safety tips is to set some ground rules for the family. These can be rather basic, but are designed to prevent potential accidents. 

Here are a few safety rule suggestions:

• No running onboard the vessel.
• Make sure to stay within eyeshot of each other at all times.
• Never go off on your own.
• When on the water, keep your hands and feet in the boat at all times.
• Only swim in areas that are explicitly designated for swimming.

Don’t Ignore the Muster Drill

Before setting off, a cruise ship will usually offer a muster drill. This is basic safety training for passengers. These lessons often teach where to find life jackets (and how to wear them), what the various alarms mean, and proper safety procedures. In general, a passenger can learn a lot of cruise ship safety tips just from this drill. Be sure to pay attention during this training. It could end up saving your life.

Be Careful with Alcohol

Since a cruise ship is often like a floating resort, many people like to imbibe a few drinks. That’s all well and good, but be sure to drink in moderation. Many accidents onboard cruise ships occur due to passenger inebriation. Take necessary precautions and try not to overdo it. As always, the open seas and alcohol do not mix. To learn more, read our detailed blog about drinking and water danger.