Cruise safety tips

Following another recent fire, this time aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas, cruise ship safety has been called into question. To be fair, an isolated incident should not cripple the cruising industry, but there are still plenty of ways to ensure you remain safe and secure your next time out at sea. Here are seven things to be aware of when taking your next cruise.

Know the best escape route

Perhaps most important is being aware of a way to safety in the event of any incident. Upon boarding your ship, make sure that you investigate your ship’s floor plan and have everyone in your party aware of where to go – and meet – in any sort of emergency. As www.travelsense.org points out, “Ships operate under international rules known as Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), requiring them to utilize smoke detectors, sprinklers and low-level emergency lighting for escape routes.’’

Be aware of life jacket locations

According to cruiseknowledge.com, life jackets are stored in every cabin on a cruise ship, while child life jackets are kept in lockers adjacent to all boat stations. Make sure that your family is aware of how to buckle a life jacket and how to find the whistle attached to each flotation device.

Attend your ship’s lifeboat drill

Cruiseknowledge.com also points out that all travelers should attend the lifeboat drill that normally occurs about 30 minutes before departure. While it may seem elementary, most cruisegoers tend to ignore such safety drills, which can lead to tragedy. WMAZ reports “The International Maritime Organization — a united nations agency that governs passenger shipping—requires cruise ships to conduct a safety drill within 24 hours of sailing.’’

Be aware of how to communicate

When traveling internationally, cruise passengers need to be aware of how to communicate with those who speak a different language, whether it be through translation, signs, or other another form. Prior to your trip, make sure that you can grasp some basic knowledge of the nationality of your cruise company. Rob Sullivan, a maritime expert in Jacksonville, told WMAZ, “The bedroom steward is the very first person who is supposed to be able to tell you where to go and what to do in case of an accident, So you should talk to your bedroom steward make sure you can communicate with them in English.’’

Understand the size of your ship

It may sound simple, but the size of your ship can often be daunting. Know the parameters of your cruise liner before boarding, and explore the surroundings once on the ship. Having a keen understanding of point A to point B can be crucial in any sort of critical event. Also, as Sky News notes, “The cruise industry has grown massively over the last 30 years, pushing companies to build ever-larger virtual floating cities to meet demand.’’

Be aware of your surroundings

In the same vein as knowing the size of ship, make sure that you know your way around the immediate space near your cabin, as well as know how – and whom – to contact in an emergency. You should also investigate your ship’s history prior to taking your trip. The US Coast Guard’s Maritime Information Exchange is a great resource for investigating when a particular ship was last inspected.

Don’t let your guard down

Disaster may be a remote possibility, but in a controlled environment like a cruise ship, crime can happen at any moment. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean that your valuables are safe. Terry Riley, Ph.D., author of the book, “Travel Can Be Murder,’’ told MSNBC.com that passengers should always be aware of your surroundings and do not hesitate to report any suspicious activities to crew members.