Holidays are a part of the year every family looks forward to the most. Who wouldn’t love spending a few days going from place to place with no responsibilities other than staying safe and having fun? That’s exactly why cruising is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to getaway.
Top Tips for Keeping Everyone Safe on a Cruise
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Every cruise company assures their passengers of the ship safety, but just like any other holiday, it’s worth spending a little time learning what you should and should not do to get the best out of your cruising experience. Here are our top tips Cruise Safety.
1. Go Easy on the Booze
While this might seem like an obvious piece of advice, it’s way too easy to let yourself drink more than you should, especially when you’re away from work, school or any other responsibility. It’s even easier if you’re on a cruise where drinks are all-inclusive.
There’s nothing wrong with drinking a little to lighten the mood, but you should always do it responsibly. Alcohol is the biggest contributing factor in personal safety incidents on cruises, so everyone needs to be aware of their limit.
Even something as simple as not being fully aware of your surroundings can ruin not only your own holiday but also the experience of others. This might be another factor to consider when deciding whether to opt for a drinks package.
2. Use Your safe
Cruise ships provide passengers with a safe in every cabin for a reason. To avoid losing your valuables during your trip, make sure you put them in the safe before heading out onto the deck just to be sure.
Though small, the safe in your cabin should have enough room to fit small items like jewellery, cash and gadgets. Truthfully, it’s best to leave the valuables that you can’t afford to lose at home. After all, most of them are completely unnecessary when your’e enjoying a cruise.
3. Don’t Skip The Muster Drill
Muster drills are the most essential safety precaution on any cruise ship. This is where you learn how to don a life jacket, what the alarms mean, and how they sound.
You also learn where your muster station is, which is highly important in an emergency. Make sure not to only attend drills, but to pay close attention during them. Even if you’ve heard the instructions a dozen times, it never hurts to re-memorise all of the procedures.
4. Be Aware Even When You’re on land
Most cruisers who become crime victims are targeted not while on-board, but while they’re ashore. It’s very easy for locals to rob your wallet if you put it in an unsafe place, like the back pocket of a backpack.
Make sure you put your cash, camera, and other valuables inside your bag and hold it to the front of you while walking in crowded areas. Buses, subways, and busy streets are the most common places where tourists lose their belongings, so make sure you hold onto your bags tightly in these areas.
5. Lock Your Balcony Door
There’s nothing quite like falling asleep to the gentle sound of the sea lapping against the hull. However, for safety reasons, it’s important to keep your balcony door locked at night.
Be sure to close your balcony door before opening your cabin door, as this can create a strong gust of wind, potentially causing items to be blown overboard.
Before going to bed, thoroughly check your balcony, and never leave the door open when you’re not in your cabin, especially while docked in port. Contractors and maintenance staff, such as window cleaners, can easily access your balcony during these times.
6. Get to Know Your Stateroom Attendant
Introduce yourself and ask for your cabin steward’s name on the first day. Building a rapport can make them more attentive and likely to notice if anyone other than you is trying to access your room.
7. Purchase Cruise-Specific Travel Insurance
Unexpected events can occur, and it’s always wise to be as prepared as possible. Travel insurance is your best safeguard, ensuring you’re covered if anything goes wrong.
Keep in mind that standard insurance policies often don’t cover cruise travel or similar activities. It’s important to select travel insurance tailored to your needs and ensure it covers any activities planned during your port days. Additionally, some cruise lines may not allow passengers to board without adequate insurance coverage.
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