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Prepare a "Ditch Bag"
Before you leave, pack a small bag with items that will be useful in an emergency. The bag can be as small or smaller than your toiletries kit, even a zip-lock bag, but it is best if it's a bright color to be easily identifiable in your luggage or a drawer. Stow it in your check-on luggage. Here are a few suggestions for what to include.
- Toss in a small waterproof flashlight (preferably the LED type) with fresh batteries.
- Many personal flotation devices (PFDs) already have strobe lights and whistles attached, but why not pack your own? They are small, light, and inexpensive. A waterproof strobe light (such as those used by kayakers) costs from about $10 to $40 and some are even water actuated. It will help you be spotted in the water night or day. Also a loud police-type whistle can be included. You want to be able to signal in an emergency.
- If you're checking a bag, add a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman multi-tool. It could be a lifesaver in an emergency and also can come in handy for a lot of other things around your cabin, like opening a bottle of wine. Just remember it must be in your checked baggage.
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We looked online for statistics on cruise line safety but could only find information about reported security issues, e.g., theft, sexual molestation, etc. Interestingly, though perhaps not surprisingly, an admittedly superficial review of these statistics indicated that such problems are worse on the larger, mid-market ships.
In a quick review of some of our favorite cruise lines' websites, we could find only two—Silversea and Crystal Cruises—that addressed safety/security issues, and those tended to focus on the latter.
Given the recent disaster aboard the m/s Costa Concordia, we thought it would be useful to provide some tips you might heed to ensure your own safety when cruising.
Plan and Prepare for Your Cruise
For safety, as well as a number of other reasons, we tend to favor cruise lines that specialize in smaller ships, anywhere from 100 to about 1,000 passengers (the definition of "smaller" keeps getting bigger these days). They usually have a higher crew-to-guest ratio (that means better service and more trained crew) and, though I can't prove this, I suspect the crew aboard smaller vessels are a tighter-knit group with less turnover, so they probably have a greater familiarity with the ship and each other. Besides, in an emergency situation, less—people, that is—is more.
Choose a Cabin Strategically
Opt for a cabin or suite near a set of stairs (in an emergency, you won't be using the elevator) and toward the middle of the ship—the higher the deck, the better. That way you can evacuate more quickly if necessary. Besides, being central on the ship and near stairs and elevators will make it easier to get around under normal circumstances.
Clothes to Pack
If you have to go in the water, hypothermia is a big worry. My older son, Michael, who was a professional whitewater rafting guide in Montana, always reminds me that "cotton kills." If you have time to change clothes, don a synthetic polypro or similar T-shirt and a synthetic fleece vest. Worn under your PFD, they will act as a sort of wet suit and keep your body core warmer. A shell windbreaker over that combination also will add to your protection and even is good for strolls around deck at night when it can be chilly.
Once You've Been Piped Aboard
After settling into your cabin, take some time to read the safety information on the back of your cabin door.
Familiarize yourself as soon as possible with the layout of the ship. The exercise will be good for you, and you'll have the lay of the ship down so you won't waste as much time and energy getting to the dining room, the gym, or the spa during the early days of your cruise.
Do show up promptly for the safety muster (it must be held within 24 hours of sailing). On most of the ships I've sailed, it's held either the evening of sailing, before cocktail hour, or, if a late sailing, the next morning after breakfast.
Beyond these suggestions, we encourage you to just relax and enjoy as much pampering as you can on your cruise. You surely deserve it. And we're here to help you do just that! Call your Hideaways Cruise Specialist at 800-843-4433 (or email ts@hideaways.com) to plan and book your next spectacular cruise.
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