A cruise vacation is a break from the ordinary for our clients. It’s a chance for a little adventure, a lot of fun, and to see a little bit of the world. Our customers range from veteran cruisers who step aboard the ship at least once a year, and sometimes multiple times a year, to people who have saved for a long time for their cruise and may well only take one in their lifetime. Helping all types of cruisers have a fun and happy vacation is what makes working at Go Port rewarding.
Cruising is always fun and exciting but their are occasions where cruisers should take precaution. A job well done for us, and for anyone who works in anything related to cruises means people having fun and making good memories on the decks of a cruise ship or ashore in ports-of-call. As a destination management company we want you to be well-informed and safe on your cruise vacation.
Drinking
Drinking is a part of cruising. Sipping a daiquiri on the balcony is what most people were thinking of when they booked their cruises. There is nothing wrong with having a couple of drinks to relax, and a 250,000 gross ton cruise ship makes for one heck of a designated driver. You may as well take advantage of it and have a few.
But you should refrain from over doing it. There are a few tips you can follow to help yourself drink responsibly. The most basic is to refrain from drinking when you’re sad or upset. Wait for it to pass before throwing one back. You are allowed to swim in the pool before you sidle up to the bar, or whatever helps you get into a happier mindset before drinking.
A second thing you’ll want to keep in mind is your limit. Everyone has one and there is no shame in it. There are no prizes for drinking the most, it isn’t a competitive event. If you don’t know your limits or have traditionally had trouble keeping to them, then the people you’re traveling with can help you.
Drinking is above all else social exercise. If you don’t know your own limits then a trusted friend may, and the person you can trust is the person you’ll probably have the most fun with on your cruise. If you’re planning on booking a cruise that is worth keeping in mind. Women, especially, may wish to do their cruising with a trusted friend.
The cruise lines universally retain the right to eject you not just from a bar or a venue, but from the ship entirely. The responsibility to pay for your travel home falls upon you if this happens. The expense and difficulty of arranging a short notice flight from a Caribbean port back to the mainland should be something you consider.
Crimes and Cruising
Over the last three years reported crime on cruise ships has fallen drastically. Earlier this year we did “How Safe are Cruises?” about crimes aboard ship. A study from PROPUBLICA found that reported crime dropped from 2013 to 2014. There were 113 reported incidents in 2013 versus only 4 in 2014.
While it isn’t likely crimes can happen when you’re cruising and being aware is your best defense. Aboard ship, one of the most commonly reported crimes is attempted sexual assault, or sexual assault. It shouldn’t happen aboard, or anywhere else. Horribly, it does and the best defense is not leaving an opportunity.
This is a major reason not to drink to excess. It is also a reason to be mindful of who you drink with, and to purchase your own drinks. It is a good idea not to travel by yourself, and to have a friend to imbibe with that you can trust to see you back to your stateroom. Essentially, when drinking aboard a cruise ship you should observe the same rules you would at a nightclub on land.
It is also advisable to stay aware of your surroundings. If someone seems to be showing an unhealthy interest in you, or making you uncomfortable then you should feel free to ask them to stop. If you don’t feel comfortable asking them to stop then that is a good reason to report it. It is also recommended that you be clear and concise in your complaint, and that you get it acknowledged.
If you’re traveling with minors, then be sure that they know to do the same. You should also be sure to extend the same understanding and willingness to hear them out that you would expect.
Other crimes like theft are fairly easy to prevent while you are aboard ship. Each stateroom has a safe that can be used to secure money and jewelry. High value items like laptops and other electronics will have to be kept tracked of, and not misplaced or left temptingly out in the open. When you’re ashore things become more difficult.
When Ashore
There are crime problems in several Caribbean ports. Nassau, which may very well be the most visited port of call, has a serious problem with violent crimes. So do Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts. Generally speaking, any place where tourists are known to visit is going to attract criminals looking to prey upon them. Tourists are not only unfamiliar with the area, but are also carrying a large amount of cash.
The first step is to familiarize yourself with the ports your ship will be calling at. The US, Canadian, and other governments issue travel advisories. You can check your itinerary and check each stop against the list to see what the local hazards are. You can do even more research online for each port, and ensure your booked excursions are reputable. Here too you’re advised to avoid drinking to excess. A clear thinking head in the present is invaluable, and a far sight better than regrets later on.
Going Overboard
In a previous post dealing with a hypothetical outbreak of zombies on your ship we highlight the ship’s external balconies as your best escape route. If you are dealing with an outbreak of the living dead, then by all means do what you need to do. Outside of these fanciful constraints never, ever, attempt to climb from balcony to balcony. If you fall, the odds are against you surviving impacting the water, let alone getting picked up.
Two incidents earlier this November highlight the problem. A 35 year old man went overboard from the Oasis of the Seas. Mere days later, a 24 year old woman went over the rails of the Norwegian Pearl. While both were observed falling off, and in both cases searches were immediately started, in neither case has a body been found.
It’s a big ocean. If you fall in your chances of being rescued are slim. It isn’t likely that anyone aboard can hear your screams for help. There is no chance you’ll be able to swim and keep up with the cruise ship. Your best chance lies in staying afloat until someone notice you’re absent and a search is begun. While it isn’t impossible it is very unlikely.
If you happen to be wearing long pants when you go overboard then they can be used to improvise a floatation device. Remove them, tie the legs together, and trap air inside of them. Trapping the air can be accomplished by whipping them overhead so they inflate, or by swimming beneath them and blowing air up into them. A US Marine fell off an aircraft carrier, and was able to use this technique to survive for 36 hours until a rescue craft picked him up. A plain t-shirt can be used in a similar manner simply by lifting the waistband and slamming it down into the water to trap air inside. Deprived of either of these then your best bet is in floating on your back, or on your belly in the appropriately named dead man’s float. For the latter you will need to life your face out of the ocean every so often to breath. If you are close enough to see land, a boat, or anything that floats then by all means swim towards it.
It bears repeating that survival in these circumstances isn’t likely. There is no reason to risk going into the drink in the first place. Especially if it is something as silly as horsing around. We cannot be emphasizing this enough.
Cruising Safely
Do not allow thoughts of what could go wrong to discourage you from taking a cruise. Millions of cruisers enjoy cruise vacations every year without incident. Those who suffer mishap are a minority. Even so, this small minority could be reduced further with some basic caution and situational awareness. Instead of not cruising, cruise safe, be an informed and aware cruiser who has a great time on their vacation and returns safe.
The easiest step towards this end is to keep your drinking within reasonable limits. We know that cruises are essentially one big party, but don’t you want to remember the party? As opposed to only being remembered?
Before you cruise, take the safety and precaution of booking a package with Port Canaveral Hotels. Flights can be delayed, traffic can cause problems, be prepared with a snooze and cruise Port Canaveral package.
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