Travel experts offer travel safety tips for cruise passengers

Chris Owen

Contributing Writer
Chris Owen Has Just Posted the Following:


Recent events from the Costa Concordia grounding to passengers falling to their death on cruise ships is putting travel safety in the spotlight.
AAA Travel cruise experts chime in with the rest of the cruise industry, reminding us that cruising remains a popular choice for North American vacationers. More than 16 million cruise passengers sailed the world’s waterways last year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and a passenger total in excess of 17 million is forecast for 2012.
“There is value in having reasoned dialogue to examine whether current maritime laws governing the cruise industry are sufficient or should be modified,” said Jeanne Fosco, AAA Chicago Travel Manager. “Meanwhile, cruising remains an attractive vacation option for millions of North Americans each year.”
AAA offers these five safety tips
  1. All cruise passengers, even seasoned cruisers, should actively participate in and pay full attention during the ship’s muster drills as evacuation procedures vary by cruise line. Currently, ships are required to hold safety drills within 24 hours of boarding new passengers. If the ship’s emergency muster drill is not scheduled prior to departure from the embarkation port, take personal responsibility for safety by locating life vests and identifying assigned muster stations.
  2. Register all international travel with the U.S. Department of States free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .This will enable the State Department to provide better assistance in an emergency.
  3. Travel with a small waterproof pack that can be easily secured around the body in the event of an evacuation. The pack should include, passports, cash including local currency, credit card, medications, small flashlight, cell phone, nutrition bars, and a bottle of water if possible. Prepare the pack upon boarding the ship so it is immediately accessible in the event of an emergency.
  4. Don’t let common sense take a vacation. Avoid participation in risky behaviors like excessive consumption of alcohol and admitting strangers to your cabin, and report any concerns to ship security. Personal safety is a consideration while on a cruise vacation, just like it is while at home or when traveling on land.
  5. Book all cruise vacations through a trusted travel counselor. In the days following an emergency, the travel counselor can be a trusted ally providing critical, timely and valuable assistance. A travel counselor can provide guidance to customers already booked on future cruises that may be affected by the original cruise ship emergency
[h=6]Related articles[/h]
pixy.gif



Click here to view the article.
 
Top