Posts in category: Cruise Tips

If you’ve never been on a cruise, you may wonder whether it’s safe. With stories in the news about disasters at sea, it’s no wonder you may want to know the answers to this question.

There are threats to consider. Although, to reassure you, I have been on many cruises, and nothing has ever gone wrong. If something were to happen, I would feel reassured that the cruise lines have health and safety procedures in place to deal with a worst-case scenario.

However, things occasionally do happen. With this in mind, here are the eight threats to consider on a cruise ship and how to ensure you’re safe.

1. Natural Disasters

While cruises are a great way to see the world, occasionally, there may be a natural disaster where you’re sailing.

These could be anything from hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and icebergs to extreme weather conditions, causing rough seas or rogue waves.

Hurricanes do happen from time to time, especially in the Caribbean. Sometimes cruises get cancelled because of the hurricane, or they get redirected. To learn more about safety at sea if there is a hurricane, you can find out more in my article on ‘What happens if there is a hurricane?”

Tsunamis happen very rarely, and luckily, tsunamis are hardly noticeable at sea. The main impact is near coastlines. Cruise ships also have tsunami detectors and procedures in place in case of a tsunami warning.

Icebergs can be a risk if sailing around the Arctic. Unlike the Titanic, modern ships now have radar and sonar systems, which alert the crew of anything well in advance. On top of this, routes are planned based on reports that show the flow of the ice to avoid potential hazards.

Other extreme weather conditions, such as storms, may cause rough seas. These can affect safety and visibility, but cruise ships are built to withstand extreme weather, and the ship’s course can be altered. 

2. The Ship Sinking

Millions go on cruise ships every year, however, over the last 100 years, only 22 cruise ships have sunk. Most of these times, this is while the ship was berthed or towed.

The modern safety features and protocols on cruise ships ensure that in the unlikely event of a ship sinking, very few lives are lost. When going on a cruise, one of the first things you have to take part in is a mandatory safety “muster drill”. This means that if the worst-case scenario were ever to happen, all the passengers would be aware of what to do.

During this drill, you’ll hear the alarm sound, learn where the life jackets are and where to assemble in case of an emergency. These drills are an essential aspect of ensuring safety on cruises, and the crew members are well-trained in handling a variety of emergency situations. 

3. Unsafe Destinations

Unfortunately, areas in the world have political tension, outbreaks of hostilities, or even war. Occasionally there will be a cruise going to a destination that poses a risk to peace and safety. 

Cruise lines will be keeping a watchful eye on the political environment. If a destination were to become unsafe, they would adjust the itineraries by cancelling a scheduled stop, diverting the cruise to a safe destination or remaining at sea until it’s safe to move on.

Cruise lines have a network of contacts in the ports and are known to work with international authorities. This allows them to have the most up-to-date information about each destination. Contingency plans will be in place, which will be regularly reviewed, and passengers will be regularly updated about the itinerary and any changes.

Suggested read: The 5 Destinations That Cruisers Recommend You Don’t Get Off The Ship

4. Piracy 

If you ever go on a river cruise down the Nile in Egypt or cruises that go through the Black Sea, you’ll notice high levels of security. This is because of the higher risk of piracy. You may think this is just something in films, but unfortunately not.

Most pirate incidents occur in the Gulf of Aden, nicknamed ‘Pirate Alley’. Yet, out of 230 recorded attacks in this area, only six were against cruise ships, and not a single one resulted in anything. Pirates tend to give cruise ships a wide berth, preferring cargo ships with minimal crew instead.

Cruise lines have a variety of procedures in place if anything were to happen. Defensive strategies range from maintaining blackout conditions and deck closures to lowering noise emissions. Other strategies include evasive manoeuvres or increasing the ship’s speed to outpace the pirates, or they’ll deploy high-pressure hoses to dislodge any attackers trying to climb aboard. 

5. Crime at Sea

Like anywhere in the world, there is crime, including on cruise ships. Sexual offences are reported as the most frequent crimes on cruise ships, followed by significant physical attacks causing severe harm and major incidents of theft.

According to the US Department of Transportation (2019), the reported crime rate aboard cruise ships was 0.18 incidents per every 100,000 passengers. This is extremely low, so the likelihood of anything happening is minimal.

In 2023 the FBI received 180 reports of alleged criminal activity on board cruises, from thefts to missing persons cases. For comparison, In 2021, the FBI reported over 6 million criminal incidents in the U.S. alone.

If anything were to happen, the crew would be trained to deal with these cases and prevent escalation. 

While cruise ships don’t have police on board, ships sailing to or from the USA must have at least one crew member trained in crime prevention, detection and reporting. A Security Director is also present who oversees the ship’s security department.

CCTV cameras further reinforce surveillance and keep a close eye on public areas. 

6. Health and Medical Problems

In recent years, due to the pandemic, people have become more aware of public health outbreaks. This is when a virus can be passed on by being within close proximity to someone. Unfortunately, if there is an outbreak on a cruise ship, it can be easily passed on as there are usually a lot of people in a small space.

Cruise ships have been known to have Norovirus outbreaks. However, to prevent this from happening, passengers are usually asked about any symptoms before getting on the ship. Or if you get symptoms whilst on the ship, you’ll be asked to stay in your stateroom to help prevent the spread of a virus.

However, most ships encourage frequent handwashing and are regularly being cleaned to help prevent outbreaks like this. If you’re interested in the cleanest cruise ships in the world, you can check out our list.

Another time where you may feel vulnerable to health and medical problems is cruising while pregnant. It can be great to take advantage of some time to relax before your little one arrives, but you may be concerned about your health onboard. 

To put you at rest, it’s good to know that all cruise ships have doctors if there is ever a medical emergency. This means if anyone had a problem, they would be able to get medical help quickly. This may be particularly reassuring if you’re cruising while pregnant. 

7. Cruise Ship Fires

Over the past few years, there have been a few fires on cruise ships. However, you’ll be pleased to know that no one has ever been seriously injured. While the notion of a fire breaking out is alarming, you can rest assured that there are precautions in place to minimise the risk of this happening and if anything were ever the happen, the incident would be handled quickly. 

If a fire was to break out, smoke detectors and fire alarms are installed throughout the ship. Also, automatic sprinkler systems will be ready, and the crew also have fire safety training to ensure everyone is safe.

8. Human Induced Incidents

The safety of the cruise ship is not only the responsibility of the crew members but also the individuals on board. Unfortunately, in recent years there have been a few human-induced accidents, meaning that accidents have been caused by passengers either on purpose or accidentally. Even though you are on holiday to relax, it is important to take care.

Suggested read: What Happens If You Jump Off A Cruise Ship?

There are times and places where passengers need to take extra responsibility. For example, as every parent knows, you have to be alert when babies and toddlers are about. On a cruise, you have to be particularly careful if you have a room with a balcony.

Suggested read: Are Cruise Ship Balconies Safe for Toddlers?

Onboard, you’ll find that safety barriers are in place, and many ships offer childcare facilities with fully trained staff. For more information on cruising with a toddler, including additional tips and advice, have a look at my article here.

Also, if you’re travelling with teenagers, you may want them to have their independence but also want them to be safe. Sadly, there have been a couple of accidents involving teens going overboard due to drinking too much alcohol. However, cruise lines often have curfews for those under 18 when they are not with an adult, and alcohol policies are strictly enforced. 

Suggested read: Carnival Balcony Climbing Incident

Lastly, if you’re solo travelling, it’s key to remember that you should treat the cruise the same as if you were travelling alone anywhere else in the world. It’s unlikely you will have any problems, particularly as solo cruising has become so popular. You may find groups who are doing the same as you. 

Just remember to use common sense, follow your instincts and if a situation feels uncomfortable, walk away and alert a member of staff.

The Bottom Line

So, are cruises safe? Yes, despite all the threats listed, cruises are very safe. But just like anything in life, things do happen, but it’s highly unlikely something would occur on your cruise. 

Cruise lines put passenger safety first, and they’re equipped with the latest technology, safety procedures and highly trained staff. So next time you’re on a cruise, enjoy the break, as you’ll be in good hands!

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

I’m ALWAYS looking for cruise bargains! These are the best deals I found this week…

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Norovirus is a common and contagious illness that can affect people on cruise ships as well as on land. This article includes statistics about the prevalence of norovirus on cruise ships, as well as giving helpful information on how to prevent norovirus on your cruise.

Norovirus causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Whilst symptoms can be extremely unpleasant, it is usually short-lived, lasting one or two days.

Norovirus On Cruise Ships

Norovirus is caught by having contact with an infected person, either directly, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus outbreaks can occur on cruise ships when people bring the virus onto the ship and pass it on to others.

Cases of norovirus on cruise ships are reported more commonly than on land because cruise ship passengers are required to report cases to the ship’s medical team. On land, most people recover at home without seeking medical help.

This has resulted in norovirus being incorrectly called ‘the cruise ship disease’ or the ‘cruise ship illness’.

Norovirus Can Happen Anywhere

Whilst cruise ships have a bad reputation for norovirus contamination, norovirus is, in fact, common anywhere where people are contained – such as offices, schools, hospitals and hotels. It is not any more common on cruise ships than in any of these places.

Read on for all the latest statistics about cruise ship norovirus.

Cruise Ship Norovirus Statistics

The Likelihood Of Getting Norovirus On A Cruise

Between 2018 and 2014, 74 million cruise passengers sailed out of US ports. 12,968 of those passengers reported norovirus infections. According to these statistics, the chance of catching norovirus on a cruise is 0.018%. (Source)

The Worst Cruise Ships For Norovirus

The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program records outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships.

In 2024, the cruise line most affected by norovirus was Holland America Line, with four of the ships in it’s fleet suffering an outbreak (Koningsdam, Zuiderdam, Rotterdam and Eurodam).

Other norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024 include:

• Oceania Cruises – Oceania Nautica
• Cunard Line – Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 (twice)
• Princess Cruises – Ruby Princess, Coral Princess and Sapphire Princess
• P&O Cruises – Arcadia
• Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Constellation
• Royal Caribbean International – Radiance of the Seas

(Source)

The most severe of these outbreaks happened onboard Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 from 21st December 2024-3rd January 2025 where 346 of 2,565 passengers contracted norovirus (13.5%).

Of course, any cruise ship can have an outbreak of norovirus on board, just as any school, hospital or hotel can. These statistics don’t mean that these ships are any less hygienic than ships that have not reported an outbreak.

It’s also important to note that norovirus cruise ship statistics from the CDC only relate to cruises that call at US ports. So cruises to Europe and elsewhere in the world won’t be included in these reports.

The Worst Norovirus Outbreak On A Cruise Ship

The worst outbreak of norovirus on a cruise ship occurred onboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas in January 2014. On this 10-night cruise, 534 out of 3071 (20.6%) passengers or crew reported being ill.

How To Avoid Norovirus On Cruise Ships

Here are four tips for avoiding norovirus on cruise ships.

1. Wash Your Hands

The most effective way to prevent norovirus on a cruise is with regular and thorough handwashing. It is particularly important that you do this after using the bathroom and before and after eating, drinking or smoking.

The most effective way to clean your hands is to wet them with water, apply liquid soap, lather, rinse and dry.

When I was on board a cruise ship during a norovirus outbreak, this flyer about the correct handwashing procedure was distributed to all passengers on their cabins.

2. Use Hand Sanitiser

Alcohol hand gels are not as effective as soap and water, but they are useful at times when soap and water isn’t available.

There will be hand sanitiser available at stations all over the ship, but it’s also a good idea to carry your own. To avoid having to rummage in your bag, hand sanitiser bracelets are an excellent option.

See hand sanitiser bracelets on Amazon.com (if you’re in the US)

See hand sanitiser bracelets on Amazon.co.uk (if you’re in the UK)

3. Avoid Touching Surfaces

Your freshly-washed hands are only clean until you touch something, so you should avoid touching surfaces that are regularly touched by other people.

It’s important that you turn off taps and open bathroom doors using a paper towel to keep your freshly-washed hands clean.

You should also avoid touching elevator buttons with your fingers, and instead use a knuckle or elbow.

Only touch staircase railings if you need to do so for stability. If you’re unsure, you can hover your hand above the railing, so that it’s there if you need to grab it.

4. Avoid Shaking Hands

Shaking hands with other cruisers is something you should avoid. This is particularly important at mealtimes, as this is when it’s easy to transfer any virus from your hands to your mouth.

Since 2020 (COVID), shaking hands is not as common as it used to be, and declining a handshake is not something that should cause embarrassment.

Stopping The Spread Of The Virus

When norovirus is reported on a cruise ship, the staff will put measures in place to stop the spread of the virus.

Measures to control norovirus outbreaks include:

• Advising passengers that others are experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal illness and giving information about what everyone can do to prevent it from spreading
• Regularly sanitising every area of the ship with a powerful disinfectant called Virox
• Assigning extra staff to monitor entrances of eating areas to ensure that every passenger washes their hands
• Removing items such as salt and pepper shakers and butter dishes from tables and replacing them with individual sachets
• Stopping the use of self-service drinks machines and instead having staff dispense drinks for guests
• Serving guests at buffets rather than allowing self-service

If these measures are not successful in halting the spread of the disease, in rare cases, it is possible for all passengers to be confined to certain areas of the ship, or to their cabins, or even for the cruise to end early.

Code Red: What It Really Means

Cruise ship staff use secret codes to avoid causing alarm. If you hear CODE RED, it means that there is a serious outbreak of illness on the ship. For a less severe outbreak, you may hear CODE YELLOW.

The exact number of cases needed for each alert level varies by cruise ship. It may be a certain number of cases or a certain percentage of passengers and crew on the ship.

Read more: Secret Codes On Cruise Ships Explained

What To Do If You Catch Norovirus On A Cruise

1. Report It

As soon as you become unwell, it’s vital that you return to your cabin and call reception to report it.

They will advise you about what to do next and arrange a phone call with one of the ship’s nurses, who can give you medical advice. The medical team will phone regularly to check how you are feeling.

2. Isolate Yourself

You must stay in your cabin until 24 hours after any vomiting or diarrhoea has stopped.

Your cabin will be regularly sanitised by specially-trained crew members. If you require any additional housekeeping, you can call reception, and someone will be with you quickly. You can also have any items of clothing cleaned free of charge if needed.

3. Rest And Recover

Whilst quarantined in your cabin, you can order from room service free of charge. There is a specially planned menu to assist with recovery, which includes bland items such as toast, porridge, soup, sandwiches, grilled chicken breast, salad and chips. Your meals will be served on disposable plates.

As you are not permitted to leave the ship during the isolation period, if you have booked shore excursions with the cruise line, the cost of these will be refunded to you.

If you have booked excursions independently, you may be able to cancel them if you give 24 hours’ notice. If you are unable to do this, you may be able to claim on your travel insurance, depending on the policy details.

Suggested read: Why You Need Cruise Insurance (Not Just Regular Travel Insurance)

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

I’m ALWAYS looking for cruise bargains! These are the best deals I found this week…

Related posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me