Thinking about cruising but unsure how the high seas will treat you? You must have read or heard about horror stories onboard. Agreed! From seasickness to overboard mishaps, cruise ships tend to have a bad rep to such an extent that it makes you wonder, ‘Are Cruises Safe?’ My answer to that question is that they’re generally safe when you’re informed and vigilant. Stay with me to learn about how safe cruise ships are. In this article, we will deal with cruise safety, what to do, and how to avoid dangers.
How Safe Is It to Go on a Cruise?
Cruise ships are generally safe, designed with advanced navigation tools and strict rules and regulations to reduce the risk of accidents and crimes. Though incidents like norovirus or man-overboard make headlines (like any other negative publicity), most sailing passes without any major incidents.
Of course, like all other places or streets, there is risk too. Isn’t there a risk even crossing a street? The trick is in knowing how to stay safe on a cruise. Just knowing a few basic things and staying alert, you can avoid risk and make the most of your cruise vacation.
Parking Tip: Cruise safety begins in the parking lot; several offsite cruise parking lots are available close to the port terminals, offering safety, convenience, and cheap rates.
So, How to Stay Safe on a Cruise?
Here are a few things to consider while onboard:
Do Not Skip the Muster Drill
The most important thing when you are onboard is giving your full attention to the muster drill, which is a safety demonstration drill. It is usually conducted as soon as you embark, before sailing. The drill explains the ship’s layout, emergency escape route, what to do, how to use the life jacket, and all information critical in an emergency.
The drill is mandatory; you mustn’t try to wedge your way out. These days, most ships offer e-muster drills, which makes it convenient but at the same time easier for you to get distracted and not listen to it at all. E-muster means you can take the drill on your room TV or through a mobile app rather than in person at the muster station.
The muster station location will be on your boarding pass, in your app, and at the back of your room door.
Note: The drill is mandatory and is recorded digitally. So, be it a rookie or seasoned cruiser, there’s no escaping it! Refusal to take the drill can lead to eviction at the next port, without a refund, as it comes under non-compliance from your side.
Why must you pay attention?
Even if it is not mandatory (which it is!), it is in your best interest to pay full attention, as when there is an emergency, chances are that you will have to take care of yourself. You cannot expect the crew to guide everyone to put on a life jacket or find the muster room. Better safe than sorry! Don’t just do it to check the box! Your life may depend on it.
Follow the Ship’s Safety Rules
Whether it’s no smoking in cabins or staying out of forbidden zones, these rules exist to prevent fires, injuries, and security breaches. Don’t be a daredevil thinking rules are meant to be broken. It may cost you your life or at least harm you, both physically and financially. As tempting as it may be to take a photo from the prohibited area, please don’t!
Cabin Safety
Do not give out your cabin numbers to others. Your keycard will not have your room number on it. Don’t get tempted to write the cabin details on it.
Keep your Keycard Safe
Would you be careless with your hotel room key? Consider your cabin as a hotel room and take good measures to safeguard your room. In fact, losing your cabin key has more repercussions than losing a hotel room key.
Your keycard is not just your cabin door opener; it is also your SeaPass ID, your onboard identification, and your payment method. Losing it could lead to unauthorized access, purchases, and even missed debarkations. If you lose your keycard, immediately report it to guest services and get it replaced.
Always lock your stateroom door. If the door has deadbolts, use them when you are inside. When you are heading out, make sure you lock the door properly. If it’s a cabin with a balcony, secure that as well, especially at night and when the ship is docked in a port.
Lock your Valuables and Passport in your Room Safety Locker
Cabin staterooms may not be burglar-proof. For safety, use the in-room safe or bring a portable lockbox to keep your passports, money, jewelry, and electronics safe.
Don’t Invite Strangers to Your Cabin
Cruise ships may feel safe, but inviting unknown guests to your cabin may turn dangerous. You may be exposing yourself to theft, or even worse. It is okay to make friends, but to be on the safer side, stick to public spaces.
While most passengers are fine, there have been cases of theft. Stay alert, travel in groups (if possible), and report suspicious behavior to security.
Supervise your Children
A kid left unsupervised could wander into unknown or prohibited territory or fall into the pool. Also, they might wander into other cabins, disrupting their privacy. Not everyone appreciates kids! Always know their whereabouts. Your kid is your responsibility alone.
Be a Responsible Drinker
Overindulging can impair judgment and lead to falls, risky behavior, or even overboard incidents. You’ve invested so much time and money to enjoy a perfect cruise experience. Why miss a day due to a hangover? And let me tell you, a hangover on the high seas? Bad idea!
Avoid passengers who have had too much to drink
Inebriated passengers may act unpredictably and irresponsibly, compromising not only their safety but also yours. Be it in crowded spaces or on decks, they are never reliable.
Alcohol impairment can also lead to accidents and falls, even falling overboard. Staying clear of visibly drunk individuals can save you from accidents, arguments, fights, and embarrassments.
Avoid High-Risk Activities
Onboard rides like surf simulators and zip-lining can be fun, but at the same time are also injury-prone. Some of the onboard activities like these might pose some risk, especially for those with certain medical conditions, so stay away from them. Know your limits!
Disclaimer: Not for those who are interested in adventure. If you thrive on these kinds of adventures, then by all means, enjoy them! You do you, man!
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Do not Wander into Restricted or Crew-Only Areas
These zones are off-limits for a reason. These areas will be clearly marked, so there is no excuse for entering. Controlling access is essential for crew safety and to prevent individuals from getting into trouble or getting lost. Also, you may be breaking rules here!
Never stand on furniture or climb anywhere you aren’t supposed to be. Finding your view from the balcony is tempting, but railings are there for a reason. Standing on chairs or climbing walls can lead to falling overboard.
Seek Help When Necessary
The moment you feel unwell or injured, ask the staff for help. Getting help during the onset of symptoms can ensure faster treatment and recovery. Delaying care can worsen your situation.
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It is Safer to Have a Travel Buddy
Having a travel companion means someone can notice changes in your health or behavior and call for help if you become ill or injured. It also discourages risk-taking and ensures you’re not alone in crowded or unfamiliar areas.
If you are on a solo cruise, make friends with someone who can be reliable so that someone is there to check on you and report in case anything happens to you. It would be safer to go on port excursions together than wander around solo.
Can You Fall Off a Cruise Ship?
Yes, but these are rare incidents. Railings are chest-high, so, in normal conditions, a person will not just fall over easily. And in case someone does fall over, it is usually because that person was reckless and disregarded safety guidelines. Mostly alcohol had to be blamed!
Know the term used when a person falls over? It’s called “Man Overboard” or “Code Oscar.”
Do You Fall Off the Balcony of the Cabin?
Unless you are reckless, you are safe on the balcony! Balconies, like any other outdoor place on a ship, have protective railings that are chest-high. Fatal overboard incidents from balconies are extremely rare. If at all that happens, it’s usually due to passengers’ precarious actions like sitting on rail edges or standing on furniture near the railing.
What Is the Safest Place on a Cruise Ship?
The safest place depends on the kind of emergency we are dealing with. In case of rough seas, staying inside the cabin is the best option. Also, avoid using the stairs in high seas.
In an Emergency
A midship cabin is the best for rough seas, as it experiences less motion. The center of the ship and lower decks experience less motion and are safer during rough seas. During evacuation, areas close to lifeboats and emergency exits are ideal.
In the event of fire, it’s usually safer to be in the forward cabins, because the fire arises from the rear of the ship. In the rare event of sinking, lifeboats are your only option. So go near the muster station.
Designated Safety Areas: Cruise ships have specific areas marked for safety during emergencies, such as the assembly stations where passengers gather for instructions. This is where listening to the muster drill comes in handy! Ultimately, you have to listen and follow the crew’s instructions, whatever the emergency be!
Tip: Always know your nearest muster station.
What to Avoid on a Cruise?
You have to follow the cruise rules and regulations. You must not wander into restricted zones, which also include crews-only zones. Be a sensible drinker, avoid high-risk activities; and most importantly, do not neglect muster drills.
You must know the cruise line’s policy and adhere to the rules while packing. Avoid bringing banned items, including drones or weapons. They are fire and safety hazards.
Do Cruise Ships Have Enough Lifeboats?
All cruise ships must adhere to the international rules ‘Safety of Life at Sea’ (SOLAS). According to the treaty signed post-Titanic, all cruise ships must have enough lifeboats to accommodate all the passengers on the ship.
Depending on the number of passengers
- Large cruise vessels have at least 16 to 20 lifeboats that accommodate 150 passengers in each.
- Medium cruise ships may have around 10 to 14 lifeboats.
In addition to the lifeboats, these ships will also be carrying life rafts and emergency flotation devices. Most ships have enclosed lifeboats and advanced marine evacuation systems. These emergency boats undergo regular inspection. Every crew member is given training and is ready to handle any emergencies.
Are Cruise Ships Safe in the Ocean?
Cruise ships are built with redundancies, reinforced engines, and weather‑routing systems to steer clear of storms. The ships have to adhere to maritime regulations to ensure safety at sea, and the crews receive excellent training.
Pirates and terrorism are low risks; vessels carry arms in secure areas, LRAD systems, and maintain lookout protocols. In short, vast ocean space, satellite navigation, and continuous monitoring make serious incidents uncommon.
Is it Safe in Very Bad Weather?
Ships avoid severe weather. Thanks to modern weather forecasting systems, they reroute. If conditions worsen when the ship is in mid-voyage, passengers are advised to stay in cabins until the seas are calm.
What are the Chances of Cruise Ships Sinking?
These days, ships are built strong to handle severe conditions. These ships, in addition to modern technology, have strict safety standards with rigorous safety drills and redundancy systems.
So to answer the question, ‘Are cruises safe from sinking?’ Sinkings are exceedingly rare. But even if there is a rare chance of sinking, the crews are trained and are ready for an emergency, which far outweighs the tiny statistical risk. Trust them; they know what they are doing!
Is a Cruise Safer than a Plane?
Statistically speaking, both flying and cruising are safe. However, people consider flying safer due to the short distance and availability of emergency services close by.
But cruising is equally safe, with its stringent maritime rules, continuous surveillance, modern technology and safety equipment, and lifeboats in the event of emergency. Low incident rates make cruises a secure choice for many travelers.
Even in the rare event of sinking, the ship (unlike the flight) takes a long time to sink, by which time the lifeboats will be deployed, and it will be smooth sailing to the shore.
In fact, traveling by cruise and plane is statistically safer than by road.
How Many Cruise Ships Have Had Pirate Attacks?
Pirate attacks are extremely rare. There have been only 6 reported pirate attacks since 2005. The common attacks are by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden (Indian Ocean), between Yemen, the Arabian Sea, and Somalia. There were a few attempted attacks and shootings as well. That being said, so far none of the pirate attacks have been successful.
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Are There Police on Cruise Ships?
Cruise ships don’t carry local police. Instead, they have a security team, including a deputy security officer and chief security officer, responsible for law and order onboard. Firearms? Yes, they do have firearms, but they carry them. It is safely tucked away in the locker, and will be used only in extreme situations (almost never).
In some situations, unruly guests may be detained in the “brig,” the ship’s version of jail. If serious crimes occur, the ship can restrict someone to a cabin or brig until disembarkation, when he will be handed over to the local authorities.
Note: While the security teams are responsible for enforcing rules in the vessel, they are not technically law enforcement officers or cops. In serious crimes, the person will be handed over to the authorities of the relevant port or the country.
Who Is Responsible for Crimes Committed on a Cruise?
Your next question will obviously be, whose jurisdiction? It is a complicated question! But in general, crimes committed on a cruise ship will fall under the jurisdiction of the country where the ship was registered (flagship state).
The Captain has the authority to make an arrest or detain a passenger who has committed a crime on the ship and report it to the concerned authority.
When the ship is in another port or the territorial waters, that country’s laws will also apply, and if the crime involves another country’s citizens, that country can have jurisdiction.
International law determines jurisdiction over crimes committed at sea, while Universal Jurisdiction comes into play in the case of pirates and crimes against humanity.
Health Safety
Will You Get Sick on a Cruise?
Yes, there are chances. Outbreaks like norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness, are common among cruises, even though the cruise lines continue to check and manage the outbreak. Ships have strict sanitation protocols and food-safety training for crew to reduce risks. Still, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you’re unwell before sailing.
Do Cruise Ships Have Doctors?
Absolutely! Every ship will have a medical facility staffed with professionals who can deal with necessary basic care and emergencies.
What Will Happen in Case of a Heart Attack on the Ship?
As mentioned before, every cruise ship has medical centers staffed with doctors and nurses. These centers provide emergency care and even stabilize the patient until they reach the shore. In more serious cases, medevac operations (like helicopters) are arranged for the patient.
Note: This will cost you. So, purchasing travel insurance would be a good idea.
How to Avoid Being Sick on a Ship
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, doubly so, before eating and after using the restroom. This is your best defense against norovirus and other viral infections.
In short, stay hydrated and well-rested, and be aware of any region-specific illnesses and take precautions. This boosts immunity and reduces illness risk.
Food May be Free, but the Body is yours
Though cruise lines follow strict food-safety protocols, buffets and food items left out for a long time are at higher risk for bacteria and virus growth. To avoid contamination, check the temperature and freshness, and use serving utensils instead of your hands.
Avoid buffets and shared serving utensils; instead, choose plated dining or let staff serve you to reduce cross-contamination risks.
If in doubt, opt for meals served directly to you or in dining rooms rather than self-service lines.
I know it’s easy to get carried away with free food, but be careful what goes into your tummy. Try to have well-cooked food. Sushi may look inviting, but if you do not have a sensitive stomach, stay away from it or at least indulge in moderation. If I were you, I would say no to uncooked or raw dishes like salads.
Don’t Get Carried Away with Alcohol
Drink in moderation, do not overindulge. A couple of glasses a meal or a day is good practice while in the sea. If you take a drink package, you will be tempted to drink more. So, avoid taking a drink package (unless the cruise is all about drinking!).
Tip: If you’ve bought a cruise drink package and want to get your money’s worth, sip slowly and stay hydrated with plenty of water in between. Savor your drink rather than gulping it down like there’s no tomorrow.
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Avoid Large Crowds in Enclosed Areas
Theaters, buffets, and indoor lounges will be packed, which increases the exposure to the virus. Enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces promote transmission of respiratory illnesses like influenza. When onboard, choose outdoor deck areas or well-ventilated lounges as much as possible.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t enjoy the theaters or buffets, but try to find a less crowded spot or opt for a time when it is less crowded.
Stay in Your Cabin During Rough Seas and Storms
Staying in your cabin is your best option during choppy conditions. In rough seas, the movements can be hazardous and throw you off balance, and the decks can be slippery. Bottlenecks and muster stations may be crowded, and these might lead to chances of injury.
Follow the instructions of the crew. They are trained to deal with these situations.
Wear Footwear With Non‑Slip Soles
Wet surfaces by pools, decks, or gangways are common and can cause trips or falls. Non-slip shoes offer grip and stability and are ideal, especially when sea spray or spills make outdoor areas hazardous. Flip-flops or smooth-soled shoes have very little traction and are prone to slip.
Commonly Asked Questions about Cruise Ship Safety
What was the last cruise ship to sink?
The most recent major passenger cruise sinking was the Costa Concordia on January 13, 2012, which hit a rock off the Island of Isola Del Giglio in Italy and resulted in 32 fatalities. Captain Franchesco Scantino was the Captain of the ship. Since then, there have been no full-scale sinkings.
Do cruise ships rock a lot?
Modern cruise ships come with advanced stabilizers that minimize rolling, even in rough seas, so passengers feel only mild motion. However, smaller ships may still experience noticeable motion, and some may feel seasick.
Will a cruise ship leave you behind?
Yes, they do! But only if you miss the “all aboard” time. The ships announce “all aboard” time when they reach a port. They will still wait a few more minutes sailing away. If it is a ship-sponsored excursion, they will make sure you are onboard.
Which cruise line has the most accidents?
Carnival Cruise Line is known to have had the most incidents, including overboard and criminal incidents, compared to other cruise lines.
Can two ships run into one another and cause an accident in the ocean?
Collisions between cruise ships are very rare due to radar, AIS tracking, and maritime traffic control. However, it is possible due to human error, equipment malfunction, or unforeseen circumstances. Minor docking accidents or at-port collisions occur periodically; serious mid‑ocean crashes are exceptionally uncommon.
Final Note
To Sum Up, How Safe Are Cruise Ships? Cruising is mostly safe when you follow rules, stay alert, and be sensible. Muster drills are very important, and so is securing your cabin key and valuables. Use your common sense and observe caution, and you are good to go!
Bon voyage – and happy (and safe!) sailing.
