The MSC Seashore at sea

Ship Safety

ADVICE FOR STAYING SAFE ON A CRUISE SHIP AND THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN PLACE TO SAFEGUARD YOUR ONBOARD EXPERIENCE.

It’s true that one of the most common questions asked by cruise-goers (particularly first-timers) is whether or not a cruise ship is safe. Don’t worry if this has crossed your mind too, because it’s a perfectly normal concern to have, especially if this isn’t the type of holiday you are accustomed to.

If you and your family are hoping for a fun-filled and memorable holiday, it’s only natural to want to know that there are health and safety regulations in place to ensure that your journey is as safe as possible. You can find out about some of the core safety practices carried out by cruise lines in the following information.

A Life Bouey on a Ship

SAFETY DURING EMBARKATION

SAFETY DURING EMBARKATION

Each cruise line has its own health and safety protocols, but all share one common practice: embarkation safety drills. Upon boarding, or even beforehand in some cases, you'll receive a safety booklet detailing onboard procedures and emergency protocols. These often include mandatory health and safety drills, also known as muster drills, to familiarize passengers and crew with safety measures in case of emergencies. Attendance is mandatory, tracked by security scanning cruise cards, ensuring everyone is fully prepared.

A Recovery room in a medical facility

MEDICAL FACILITIES ONBOARD

MEDICAL FACILITIES ONBOARD

When planning your cruise, remember your health. Cruise lines offer 24/7 medical centers with qualified staff. Facilities vary by ship size, with larger ships carrying more equipment due to higher capacity. Minor issues are often treated onboard, but serious cases may require transfer to a shore facility. While ships may have pharmacies for basic needs, it's wise to bring necessary medications. Staff can provide seasickness tablets, but it's best to consult the medical center for suitability and guidance.

A Life Boat on the Ruby Princess

STAFF AND SAFETY

STAFF AND SAFETY

Every crew member will undergo regular and advanced safety training including how to use a lifeboat and how to react in an emergency situation, so that they can assist passengers in the quickest and most efficient way possible. Cruise lines also employ security officers, who are there to provide reassurance that the cruise line is alert to potential dangers and have qualified people on-hand should an incident occur onboard. Each cruise ship should be staffed with a Safety Officer. It’s this person’s role to ensure that all safety regulations are upheld by the rest of the staff onboard. MSC cruise line for example will conduct a general emergency drill with fire simulation and evacuation, including an abandon ship drill with lifeboats every week.

A family playing at the side of a body of water

CHILDREN AND SAFETY

CHILDREN AND SAFETY

Even though cruise ships are only so big, with only a certain number of places to go onboard, we recommend escorting your children around onboard. This includes dropping them off and picking them up from the kid’s clubs and being aware of their whereabouts whilst on the open areas of the ship.

BASIC SAFETY TIPS

A large family standing by the shore at sunset

  • Familiarise yourself with your ship’s report card - As cruise ships expand and more people and facilities are allowed onboard, it’s vital that the ship itself is in fantastic condition. For example, vessel sanitation programmes routinely check the cleanliness, repair, food preparation and storage, water quality, hygiene, pest management and many other things that need regular maintenance to ensure that everything meets regulation standards.

  • Be aware of your surroundings - If you enjoy drinking whilst on holiday, be aware that during rough weather the ship can sway slightly, this can affect your balance more than usual if you’ve consumed alcohol. To avoid any tumbles or falls we’d recommend using the lifts rather than the stairs and taking extra care if you plan to go to any of the outside areas of the ship.

  • Storing your medication - Nobody knows better than you how to take care of your medication. Most ships have fridges should you need to keep your medication cool, as well as safes if you want to ensure that it is kept out of reach by others. If you have medication that you may need in an emergency such as an Epi Pen or Asthma Inhaler and you do plan to store them in your cabin, make sure that the person/people you are travelling with know how to access your medication so that they can quickly reach it for you should you need it.

  • Wear medical ID bracelets and necklaces - If you have a condition which sometimes causes you to have seizures or moments of temporary immobility where you are unable to communicate your condition to those around you, we’d suggest wearing a visible medical ID bracelet or necklace. If you happen to slip into a state of unconscious, this ID can help those around you to identify how they can best help you should such an event occur.

  • Find your nearest emergency exit - Wherever you are on the ship, particularly in your cabin, ensure you know your nearest route to your muster station. Most cruise ships now store safety jackets at the muster station, knowing that in the event of an emergency you may not have time to go back to your cabin. It’s worth carrying a map of the ship in your pocket and familiarising yourself with the map on the back of your cabin door which marks your nearest safety exit.

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