The issue of safety and cruising is always one which people focus on. Part of the reason for this is because the cruise industry has come under intense scrutiny from the media ever since the tragic accident in early 2012 when the Costa Concordia crashed and 32 people sadly lost their lives.

This was undoubtedly a horrific accident and one which should never have happened, but the media portrayal surrounding the incident conveyed that cruise holidays were an unsafe mode of transport and that the chance of something going wrong is highly probable.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Cruising is actually one of the safest forms of transport. It’s statistically far safer than flying and safer than getting into your car and driving to the local shops, or anywhere for that matter. Cruise holidays are also 8 times safer than simply crossing the road in New York City. It’s time for the myth that cruises are unsafe to be well and truly shattered.

The cruise industry is one of the most strictly regulated within the tourism sector. Cruise ships are constantly under scrutiny to make sure they stand up to safety standards, as well as for their environmental impact. There are, however certain cautions you must exercise whilst on board a cruise ship just as you would on a land based holiday.

Below Bud Darr from CLIA talks about safety measures taken by the cruise lines.

One of the first things you will do when you embark your ship, usually before it leaves port, will be to attend an official muster drill.

This involves the entire ship reporting to their designated muster station, which is where you should go in case of any real emergency. You should listen carefully to all announcements made by the staff and make note of any instructions you are given in the unlikely event you need to use them in a real situation. These muster drills ensure that all passengers know exactly what to do in case of an emergency.

As with any travel on land there are certain precautions you should take whilst on board your cruise. You should always use the safe in your stateroom to store any valuables or money that you have with you.

Don’t leave your personal belongings lying on your sun lounger whilst you head off to indulge at the buffet for lunch. Enjoy a few holiday drinks on your well-earned trip but don’t let it get out of hand, keep your wits about you and exercise the same cautions you would on land.

Be sensible, be cautious and remember to have fun and you’ll have the holiday of a lifetime!

Thanks Emma