Cruise Ship Safety & Security

You see everywhere on the news about cruise ship safety and security. It's a growing concern brought to light by events we've all read or heard about.

When booking my clients on a cruise, the advice and information that I give them is the following:

• If you feel uncomfortable, scared or threatened about any situation, leave the area immediately and let the cruise ship security personnel know about it.
• A cruise ship is a floating city. Take the same precautions you would in any city -- be aware of your surroundings, be alert and use common sense.
• Know where your belongings are. If your cabin has a safe, use it. If you don't feel that it is secure enough, you may use a safety deposit box at Guest Relations or the Purser's Office on most cruise line.
• Use the "buddy system". Same as if you were in a city, it's always a good idea not to go anywhere on a cruise ship by yourself, especially at night. If you do go out on your own, let someone know where you'll be and when you will be/plan on returning. I travel by myself a lot for work since I'm a travel agent, and my best advice for those who are traveling by yourself is to be fully aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Keep an eye on your belongings and firmly lock your door to your cabin.
• If you cannot find a traveling companion and it is unusual that you cannot find them, let security personnel know about it immediately.
• Use the cruise line's shore excursions or use a travel agent recommended shore excursion company. You may save some $$ booking your excursions on your own, but your life is too important to risk on an unknown company.
• In case of a fire or other emergency on the ship, if there is a fire, try to act as calmly as possible and get to a designated safe area by cruise ship personnel. This is why it is important to take the lifeboat drill seriously.
• Ships are inspected for safety by the U.S. Coast Guard. Incidents are rare, but keep in mind that these ships are thoroughly inspected for safety by the U.S. Coast Guard. Carnival Cruise Line's Sensation was once delayed for almost 7 hours because the Coast Guard found problems with the fire screen doors, watertight doors and fire station valves. These problems were corrected and the ship was allowed to depart.

Overall, cruising is one of the safest vacations. According to statistics released to the subcommittee and the media by the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), the 15 major cruise lines received a total of 206 complaints from passengers -- including reports of 178 sexual assaults, four robberies and 24 missing persons -- during a three-year period between 2003 and 2005. Relative to the more than 31 million passengers carried by the cruise lines during that period, the reports of crime were low, ICCL officials said.

Bottom line: Use common sense, be alert and aware and don't suspend reality while onboard ship. Your life and safety and that of your family and friends are most important.

For more cruising info, please contact me at divalisatravel@gmail.com!!