It is almost that time of year Cruisers (as they’re sometimes called) know and love, the Wave Period. That is the time when prospective cruisers plan and purchase their yearly cruise. Cruisers are scouring the Internet for deals, reading up on the hottest ports, and checking out reviews of the latest ships. But are they thinking about safety?
Well they ought to be. While cruise safety may not be on travelers’ minds, it is on the mind of the US government. In fact, President Obama signed the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act this very summer, requiring cruise lines to report all assaults, thefts, sexual harassment, missing persons, and even deaths that occur on board their ships.
While we all wait for the Department of Homeland Security, seriously, to issue a report on their findings, everyone should make cruising safety a big priority, at least as big as getting on the boat with the best food. By listening to the advice one of travel’s top experts.
As leading travel authority, John Frenaye, gives travelers 9 ways to increase their safety while cruising. Why don’t we take a look?
1. Check out the report card
-Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s report on cruise ships. They’re free you know.
2. Keep your guard up
-John says, “You need to be aware of your surroundings on a ship just as you would in a big city.”
3. Use the ship’s safe
- Do not bring anything on board you can’t bare losing.
4. Watch what you eat
-A New Jersey maritime lawyer advises you to watch out for the Norwalk virus, which he says is highly contagious.
5. Watch the booze
-It impairs your judgment. Enough said.
6. Watch the gambling
- Try not to celebrate if you win big, it just draws extra attention.
7. Watch out for the crew
-John says, “never agree to go to a “crew-only” section of the ship — the invitation may be a set-up to ensure that your cabin is vacant.”
8. Land ho!
-Be very careful on land. A New Jersey maritime attorney does say that the cruise line must ensure adequate security for you and your family even while on a land excursion.
9. Report anything suspicious
-As we know from the start of this article, your cruise company is legally mandated to report any instances to the government. But it is up to you to report those instances to the cruise company, notes a leading New Jersey maritime lawyer.
So while you may just be planning your cruise now, when the time comes for you to step aboard, be sure to make safety a priority. But remember, while it is up to you to worry about your personal safety and the safety of your family, in the end the cruise company you chose to do business with is responsible for keeping you safe at sea.
