Safety On The High Seas

If you haven"t yet been on a cruise, you"re missing out on great value and a very safe way to travel.

Over the last decade, cruises have grown to be one of the most popular forms of travel. The cruise industry offers a fascinating array of onboard programs and ports of calls but also has an excellent health and safety record that surpasses that of other travel sectors.

All cruise ships must comply with the laws of the ports they sail to and from and undergo routine inspections when calling into US ports. Crews are trained to deal with emergencies should they arise, and most ships regularly carry out their own fire and abandon-ship drills.

Cruise lines view their guests" health as critical to an enjoyable trip. Should passengers require medical attention, there is a ship doctor aboard and often a modest pharmacy to deal with minor health issues. Although serious illness is rare, ships can always safely evacuate passengers that need hospital care.

Medical facilities vary from ship to ship. In a 1994 study of 12 major cruise ship medical facilities, Conde Nast Traveler magazine found that the level and type of care onboard largely depended on both the ship"s itinerary and the average age of guests. If you have any questions about the level of care provided on your cruise, be sure to consult your local travel agent.

Seasickness is rare on large modern cruise ships. Most have stabilizers that decrease the see-sawing motion of the sea (from port to starboard) and make sailing a pleasant experience. In case of inclement weather, ships often will sail into an alternate port of call to assure passenger comfort.

Galleys and food storage areas are also inspected to assure that they are sanitary and meet health standards.

Cruise passengers can also be confident that ships operate at optimum condition and that, should an equipment problem arise at sea, there are the people and tools needed to address it. In fact, many technical systems on today"s cruise ships have duplicate systems or backups so that the ship can continue to operate in case of any system failure.

Although fire aboard a cruise ship is unlikely, should it happen, staff are trained in fire safety procedures. On modern ships, fire safety features include automatic fire doors, smoke detectors and sprinkler systems.

If passengers desire greater security against fire, they should consider purchasing an emergency smoke hood that offers 20 minutes" protection from smoke and toxic fumes. Such a device is easy to use and is small enough to fit into a purse or carry-on bag.

Cruise lines are in the hospitality business. Not only do they want to assure that you have a fun-filled holiday, they also pay great attention to the care and safety of everyone aboard.

Our travel consultants arrange great cruise vacations for travelers from around the world.