Taking a cruise is pretty amazing. You get to eat as much as you want, you get to visit exotic locations, and entertainment is around every corner. While most cruise ships are perfectly safe you have to remember you are traveling with over 3,000 people on most ships. Given those odds there has to be someone on there that is not very nice. Here are some ideas on staying safe while traveling on a cruise ship.
Crimes are committed because of opportunity and the best way to stay safe is to keep that opportunity from happening. Always be diligent, check your surroundings, and use common sense. If something does not feel right or you are uncomfortable leave immediately. Never flaunt or talk about your money in public areas. Leave the fancy jewelry at home and if you must have it, lock it up when you are not wearing it. When you are walking back to your cabin, watch everything and make sure no one is following you. Another great tip: don’t ride the elevators alone. Take the stairs whenever possible. Below are some more great tips to keep you safe while cruising.
Use Your Safe and Don’t Carry A Lot Of Cash
The safe is in your room for a reason, use it. Don’t leave money, valuables, or electronics just sitting around in your room. When you are off the ship don’t flash around large wads of cash. Some ports are not safe and you could end up being robbed.
Watch The Alcohol
There are plenty of alcoholic beverages onboard a cruise ship and it is easy to go over your limit. Try to avoid it as much as possible and if you do partake don’t over do it. Most cruise accidents happen because people go over their limit and then do stupid stuff, like stand on the railings. Also, if you are drunk and someone offers to walk you to your cabin, don’t accept. Another tip, don’t take drinks from strangers. I know this all seems like common sense but when you are tipsy common sense kind of goes out the window.
Find A Buddy
This is for single cruisers. If you are cruising by yourself, find a buddy if you can. It is always safer in pairs and you will less likely be a target. Also, don’t advertise that you are alone. Stay out of solitary areas by yourself late at night.
Don’t Climb On The Railings or Other Unsafe Areas
When we were on our cruise we saw people actually climbing down their balcony to sit on the lifeboats. Please do not do this. If you slip, you will go overboard and may drown before help arrives. Also, stay off the railings, this includes sitting on them. Yes, it makes a nice selfie but that selfie won’t do you any good if you fall overboard. Also, if an area says keep out, keep out.
Don’t Let Your Kids Roam The Ship Alone
Cruises are fairly safe for children but they should still be supervised. You never know if there is a predator on board. Try to keep your kids in your sight at all times or put them in the children’s area. Also, don’t let them run, play, or climb on things. Not only is it disruptive but dangerous. If they fall they could get seriously hurt or worse.
Lock Your Doors
When you enter your cabin it will lock on it’s own but also make sure to bolt the top lock. Also, if you are staying in a balcony room make sure to lock your balcony door before going to sleep. It is actually possible for people to walk across balconies looking for an open door. It is nice to listen to the water before going to sleep, but could also be dangerous.
Stay Safe In The Shower
The showers on a cruise ship can be slippery and you could fall. Make sure to wear shower shoes or lay down a towel. This is especially important if you are traveling with an older person. It would be horrible for them to fall and break a hip. Also, this doesn’t have to do with the shower but be careful walking around the lido deck or the area with the pools. They are very wet and your feet can go flying out from under you.
Use Hand Sanitizer
Cruise ships have hand sanitizer all over the ship and you can bring your own. Use it! Use it before you eat and after you touch the utensils at the buffet. Also, make sure to wash your hands frequently. Getting food poisoning on the ship is no fun and will ruin your trip. Take precautions to stay as healthy as possible.
Cruising can be relaxing and fun but like any vacation you need to watch out for yourself. Always be diligent and if you see anything suspicious, please report it to a crew member.
Thanks for all the tips. We cruise every couple of years and truthfully, I don’t think about this stuff enough. I take precautions when at home, but it kind of goes by the waste side when on a ship. Those are the times when I should be more diligent and watch everything, its sad that we have to do it while on vacation!
Thanks for the great advice! We have some family members cruising this summer and will be sure to pass along the information!
You brought up some great points-many of these as just general safety tips for any kind of travel. I wouldn’t have thought much about hand sanitizer but this surely would be a must. I can only imagine the germs!
Ive been trying to talk hubby into a cruise (first) and these sound like great tips to remember!