Cruises offer an exciting vacation opportunity for many people. The entire trip is planned out in advance and every luxury is available to you – you can easily check your worries with your luggage and simply enjoy your vacation. Over 20 million Opens in a new window people opted to go on a cruise in 2015 and that number grows every year. But like every travel opportunity, there are security concerns to consider. Here are some facts to consider before your cruise about the security measures in place to protect your safety.
There are numerous international conventions, U.S. Federal laws, Coast Guard regulations, and industry standards which aim to protect the safety and security of passengers and crew members. Most of these are based upon the maritime safety treaty, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Opens in a new window (SOLAS), first passed in 1914 in response to the sinking of the infamous Titanic.
In order to comply with SOLAS, U.S. Ships are inspected by the Coast Guard Opens in a new window when they first go into service and quarterly thereafter. These “Control Verification Examinations” ensure compliance with regulations regarding Opens in a new window “structural fire protection, firefighting and lifesaving equipment, watercraft integrity and stability, vessel control, navigation safety, crewing and crew competency, safety management and environmental protection.” The Coast Guard requires any deficiencies be corrected before the ship can take on passengers at a U.S. Port.
In addition to the safety of the vessel, many passengers are keen to research the sanitary conditions of vessels prior to their departure. This is regulated by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). The USPHS conducts scheduled and surprise inspections of passenger vessels in U.S. Ports to ensure Opens in a new window “proper sanitation for drinking water, food storage, food preparation and handling, and general cleanliness.” The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also runs a Vessel Sanitation Program Opens in a new window (VSP) to ensure compliance with their own regulations. The public can view specific ship results prior to booking a cruise here Opens in a new window (or go directly to a list of vessels that scored 100 here Opens in a new window).
SOLAS also requires all cruise ships to screen passengers Opens in a new window and crew prior to boarding the ship. All passengers pass through metal detectors and show ticket and ID or passport, while their clothing and baggage must pass through an X-ray machine. This happens every time you board the ship at any of your various destinations.
Once passengers have boarded, cruise lines are required by SOLAS to conduct a “muster drill” Opens in a new window within 24 hours of departure. The Coast Guard requires these drills to be conducted weekly, at minimum, and each crew member must participate in at least one per month. Rest assured that in event of such an emergency, cruise ships carry enough life vests for 105% of persons onboard and have enough survival crafts to accommodate 125% of persons onboard.
One the voyage begins, a main concern for most passengers is medical care. Cruise ships sailing for three days or longer are required to have a physician onboard Opens in a new window, and most major cruise lines will ensure the availability of 24x7 medical care on all their ships. With such a large group of people confined in a single ship, contagious illnesses, such as norovirus, can spread like wildfire. Check your cruise line’s website prior to booking to ensure the quality of care offered meets your standards.
Despite all these regulations, crimes and accidents can occur on cruise ships. It is important to always stay vigilant and cautious. According to the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act Opens in a new window of 2010, Crimes that have occurred against American Citizens, or while in U.S. oceanic territory, on cruise ships are required to be reported by the cruise line to the FBI. The public can view FBI compiled statistics on the Coast Guard website Opens in a new window.
For more information on the specific security measures in place, visit your cruise line’s website prior to your next vacation.