Are you safe on a cruise ship?

Are cruise ships safe? Let's cut right to the chase: Yes, cruise ships are generally safe as long as you use common sense and remember that vessels are not impervious to accidents, illness or people who just don't know how to behave.



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While these are less likely to happen, passengers might face:
  • Fire. Fires in the engine room or kitchens can cause damage to the ships and put passengers' health at risk. ...
  • Drowning. ...
  • Falling Overboard. ...
  • Ship is Grounded. ...
  • Collisions.


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79% of all crimes reported onboard cruise ships are sexual assaults, as per the US Department of Transportation. This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of sexual assaults on cruise ships, and serves as a powerful reminder of the need for increased safety measures to protect passengers.

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Yes, all big mainstream oceangoing cruise ships have trained medical staff on board, usually a combination of doctors and nurses. Many cruise lines increased the number of medical professionals on their ships following the onset of COVID-19.

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In 2023, a decade-high number of cruise ships have reported an unwelcome passenger on board: norovirus. Outbreaks of the stomach bug have surged on cruise ships this year, reaching the highest levels seen in 10 years.

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The bottom line is everyone knows it is safer to fly than it is to drive, and it just so happens that it is safer to cruise than it even is to fly. TravelPulse writer Donald Wood contributed to this report.

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Human trafficking may also occur in cruising, and cruise ship crime is common. Ship workers, who are notoriously paid low wages, are even paid off by people who can withhold their pay or pay workers less than they expect to receive in order to force them to commit crimes.

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Cruise ships very rarely sink, and when they do it is often when they don't have passengers on board. Just over one cruise ship every 5 years has sunk in the last 100 years. Regarding sinking with casualties, that's only one every 7 years.

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The Maritime Injury Guide reports that 19 people go missing from cruise ships yearly. While that may not sound significant, it adds up to 400 people over the last 20 years. This includes accidental falls overboard, suicides, and disappearances during port visits.

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Did you know that you'll suffer less from sea sickness if you choose a cabin located in the middle of the ship on a lower deck? Do you consider how large the ship is when booking your cruise? This is all more important than you think as you feel the motion less on the mega ships…

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Thankfully, very few cruise ships have actually sunk in modern history. Even so, the Titanic's sinking impacted maritime law so much that there are more than enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew onboard any given sailing. Within the last 111 years, over 20 cruise ships and ocean liners have sunk.

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The survival rate after jumping off a cruise ship is around 25%. Many things can influence this rate including the speed of the ship, the location, the time of day and the season. A case of someone surviving their ordeal is taken from 2015 when a 22-year-old man fell overboard off the coast of Mexico.

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Yes, you can definitely feel the rough sea on a cruise ship! It's like being in a giant washing machine - one minute you're up and the next minute you're down. You'll be swaying from side to side as if your feet are glued to the floor.

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Fires and explosions can — and have — happened. Wild, approximately 60 people per year are injured on cruise ships due to operational mishaps, which can range from small fires on the ship to actual explosions, collisions, and ships sinking or getting stranded.

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When was the last cruise ship sunk? The last time a cruise ship sank with passengers on board was a Chinese river cruise ship in 2015, which hit an unexpected and severe storm that capsized the boat.

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  1. Airplane Safety. Airplanes are by far the safest mode of transportation when the number of transported passengers are measured against personal injuries and fatality totals, even though all plane crashes generally receive some form of media attention. ...
  2. Train Safety. ...
  3. Bus Travel. ...
  4. Boat Travel.


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#1 - Choosing the Right Cabin The middle of the ship and not too high is your safest bet. A mid-ship stateroom with a balcony for quick access to fresh air may be ideal. If not available, consider a room that is either lower or closer to the back, as the front of the ship tends to experience the most movement.

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Cruising is safe but as in all methods of transport you want to be alert and prepare for problems: attend all safety lectures, learn exits, listen carefully, respond responsibly and stay cool. But most of all, stay informed, judge rationally, and don't let rare unfortunate incidents stop you from traveling the world.

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