Be Safe at Sea 3/23/2006 9:56:33 AM Link | | Add commentTravel Tips Are cruises safe? In the light of the latest accident on a Celebrity Cruise shore excursion, and the disappearance of the groom on a Royal Caribbean ship, the public has questions about the safety of cruising. I cannot guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong on a cruise ship, nor can I guarantee that nothing will happen in a hotel or resort or on the freeway on the way to the airport. But, compared to other vacations, I can unequivocally state that cruising is very safe. I have cruised over 25 times and I have never felt unsafe on a ship.
No one can prevent a tragic accident with a bus or helicopter, until we cease to be human. But we can all take steps to protect ourselves from unnecessary inconvenience and grief.
First of all, please enjoy yourself, but don’t get so drunk that you lose your judgment or can’t function. Pace yourself, because sea air and moving ships tend to enhance intoxication. Drunken people fall overboard, especially when they are standing on rails, or leaning too far over the edge (perhaps vomiting?)
Don’t accept drinks from strangers, and, keep your good jewelry at home, or reserve it for formal nights. Don’t flash around wads of big bills in the casino. You can be a high roller without drawing attention to yourself.
Use your animal instincts. How many times have you ignored that inner warning, only to find out that you were right? If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, listen to yourself and get out of the situation. (And your instincts will work better if you are not drunk)
Lock your cabin door at night with the security lock, and use you room safe. Although I have never had anything stolen from my room, I still keep my money, passport, wallet and jewelry in the safe. You might want to put that Rolex watch in the ship’s safety deposit boxes at the purser’s desk when you go ashore. There is no sense in tempting someone or leaving clues that you would be a good target.
If you are young and beautiful, don’t flirt with the staff or go off into crew areas. While most high seas flings are harmless, you are looking for trouble from that one person who might want to harm you. Remember, you are the “good for now girl”. There was another one last week and there will be another one again next week. I remember a waiter on a Celebrity ship. He paid attention to me all week, served me extra drinks at the Captain’s cocktail party, and then invited me to go into
Nassau with him. While I was flattered by the attention, there is no way I would go into a private area or into town with a crew member.
Report suspicious or inappropriate behavior; most cruise lines have rules against fraternization with guests by crew members. And for instance, if you see a crew member hanging around cabins, or the teen club, don’t hesitate to file a report at the purser’s desk.
Set limits for your kids, make sure you know where they are, warn them about climbing on rails, make sure they stay in the kid’s program or check in with you regularly, set curfews, and insist they stay in groups.
And last but not least, if you are having serious spousal problems or you have a family member with an emotional or depression issue don’t cruise. The water can be mesmerizing. Even “normal” people can feel a weird draw to the ocean when staring down from a balcony or rail. The pull of the deep may be too much for someone with emotional problems. (I may be going out on a limb here), but I truly believe that the majority of disappearances are due to suicide or drunken accidents. These are preventable.
In short, don’t leave your good sense at home, just because you are on a ship,
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Karen's Blog