Tips For Staying Safe on Your Cruise

[Jason]

• Shore excursions: They'll cost you more - often much more - but Bruce McIndoe, CEO of iJet, a globel travel risk management company, says you'll improve your safety if you take excursions sanctioned by the cruise line rather than arranging them on your own.

• Fire at sea: Key thing, says McIndoe, is to know where the fire exits are and how to get to your muster station. To be extra cautious, he says, take on board a portable smoke detector. Don't smoke in bed. Don't throw lighted cigarettes over the side; the wind can blow them back into the ship. If fire breaks out, follow the crew's directions. If you are told to report to muster stations, dress warmly and bring along vital medicines.

• Health: Wash hands frequently to reduce chances of contracting norovirus (stomach flu). In rough weather, be careful walking; it's easy to get off balance and fall. Don't sit on railings or allow children to do so.

• Personal safety: Assaults have occurred on ship. Passengers, especially women, should not wander alone late at night, visit crew quarters, or admit unknown crew members (or other passengers) to their own cabin without checking with the front desk.

• Theft: Don't put important or valuable items in your checked luggage; take them with you. Don't leave valuables lying around your cabin; put them in your room safe or the purser's safe.

• Children: Set curfews and restrictions as at home. Know where they are. Teens should be told never to accompany crew members into non-public areas.

• Problems ashore: Be wary of ripoffs and con artists ashore. Passengers are easy marks because they're in unfamiliar territory and ashore only a few hours. Remember also that in foreign lands you are subject to foreign laws.

• Insurance: Make sure your trip insurance covers privately booked shore excursions as well as ship-sanctioned ones, emergency medical treatment and evacuation, lost or delayed baggage, trip cancellation or interruption, and financial default by the cruise line.

Source: Jay Clarke, Knight Ridder Newspapers

[JoeyandDavid]

Terrific article Jason.. Thanks for the post

[Lisa63]

Good list. I should add that we should not underestimate our own instincts. When something doesn't feel right, don't take any chances. I was on a cruise several years ago during which our cabin steward (a male) was always engaging me in conversation whenever I passed in the hall -- but the questions and comments were very inappropriate, such as, "Do you have a happy marriage?" So, I ran my poor husband ragged by having him run all errands to and from the cabin... and I bolted the door when in the cabin alone.

This might have been harmless, but I sure didn't want to find out otherwise. So, use your instinct, as well.

[Shari2]

Thanks, Jason! Good advice, also, Lisa!

[GottaCruz]

Lisa, Thank God for those women's intuitions. Glad you didn't take any chances.

Good article. Never would have thought to take smoke detector. Do they have small, compact units for travel?

[ruag8tr2]

Great suggestions, Jason. I believe I will print and bring on my next cruise as a reminder.

Dennis