5 Safety Precautions You Should Take When on a Cruise

Cruises, usually speaking, are as secure as or safer than any method of travel. Certainly you'll find well-publicized horror stories about cruise liner incidents, as you can find horror reports of individuals walking to the grocery store. Nevertheless as with every manner of travel, "to be forewarned is to be forearmed", so we begin by providing you with 5 safety precautions you should take when on a cruise.

While the cruise remains at the planning stage, talk to the Center for Disease Control, which is among numerous groups that rank cruise lines in regards to their safety and overall health. There was a time when it was very nearly a case of "what happens on board stays on board"; regulations are now coming into existence requiring the reporting of incidents. Plus as well as customers in a position to provide personal reviews online, more information about your prospective cruise line may be discerned. So when you are on board, listed below are 5 safety precautions you should take when on a cruise:

1. Leave valuables at home. Many people have entrée to your cabin, and each berth will have a safe. I'd suggest storing your less costly items there, as these safes as a rule have bypass codes. If you really have got to take things that will lead to a significant catastrophe if lost, use the ships safe. You are able to retrieve your valuables from there if you want to, and they'll be more secure than if inside your cabin's safe.

2. Good common sense. Most crime on cruises is property crime, and as with every public place if you are not prudent with your property they could be taken. The relaxed tone of a cruise, though, will at times make you drop your guard. Also, be attentive regarding walking away from disagreements or fights and not giving out your personal information to strangers. Just good judgment things.

3. Don't fall overboard. This safety precaution you should take when on a cruise doubtless shouldn't have to be said, nevertheless keep everything inside the vessel while at sea. It hardly ever occurs, but most of the people who fall off a cruise ship are never recovered, and it is nearly always brought on by stupidity.

4. Watch your alcohol intake. Most accidental injuries from falls occur because an innocent traveler has a lot to drink. Also, women in particular, take care not to leave your drinks unattended, or take drinks from individuals you do not know, as they might be tainted.

5. Shore excursions. Cruising would not be nearly as fun without experiencing shore excursions at your ports-of-call, however the cruise line will not promise that you will not be involved in a misfortune or contact food poisoning, therefore as with every spot where you are in unfamiliar surroundings, you need to be vigilant. On some of our cruises, we've taken a ship-sponsored tour in the morning, then when we have our bearings a tad and have asked the tour guide a lot of questions (they most likely believe too many, but that's what they are paid for), after that we explore in the afternoon. Set aside for yourself time to get back on the ship, as if you don't it can get costly to catch up.

One final word to add to the 5 safety precautions you should take while on a cruise: do not be shy with reference to reporting suspicious activity to one of the ship's officers. True, it might be nothing, but for the infrequent occurrence of a problematical situation, it could be extraordinarily critical. So with that, bon voyage, and remember, these tips are not intended to bring about any apprehension in cruising, but only a reminder to be aware.

For some excellent tips and advice on cruising, including one specially managing shore excursions, click HERE, and for other excellent advice on budget travel, click HERE.  Glen Wheaton is a writer and avid traveler living in London.