Recent news accounts of passengers falling overboard on ships and other negative information may alarm many people who may have thought of taking a cruise. In viewing these reports, one thing was abundantly clear to me. Some people should be advised that the first thing they should pack for their cruise is a little bit of common sense and good judgment. I have been on so many cruise ships I have lost count. I can tell you for certain that you don’t just accidentally fall over the rail of your balcony or any other part of the ship. The design of ships make it next to impossible for that to happen. In each of these cases, the person who fell overboard was engaging in high risk behavior that led to the incident. Witness the accounts from the “victim” and witnesses in each of the recent overboard cases. Each one admitted to drinking excessive quantities of alcohol. Funny thing about it, in just about any activity you engage in when you’ve had too much drink, bad things can happen.
The highest priority of cruise lines is the safety and security of its passengers and crew. With more than 12 million people cruising each year, the cruise lines take every appropriate measure to ensure that passengers have a safe and enjoyable vacation.
While people are far safer on board a cruise ship than in virtually any community in the United States, on rare occasions, incidents may happen. Cruising remains one of the safest vacations available, with an outstanding record of safety and security. In fact, when compared with the FBI's land-based crime statistics in the United States, cruise passengers are much safer on board a cruise ship than ashore.
While instances of crime on board cruise ships are rare, it is important that whenever you are traveling to be observant of your possessions and surroundings at all times. Cruise passengers are reminded of this, as they are in any hotel, by safety information, daily bulletins, port visit briefings and the provision of a room safe or safety deposit box. In the event of an incident, the cruise industry takes all allegations and incidents very seriously, reports them to the proper authorities and fully cooperates in any investigation. In many instances, cruise lines do not publicly disclose detailed information to comply with directions from law enforcement and out of respect for privacy. Consider the following things cruise lines do that few if any land resorts you might vacation at do.
Cruise ships are comparable to secure buildings with 24-hour security. Every person on board a cruise ship, from the captain to the cleaning staff and all guests, are placed on official manifests. When sailing to or from U.S. ports, these manifests are provided to U.S. federal law enforcement officials prior to the ship's departure.
Cruise lines have adopted some of the most advanced and thorough security measures in the vacation industry. These include the screening of 100 percent of all luggage, carry-on's and provisions coming onto ships. Screening is done with X-ray machines, metal detectors and human and detector dog searches.
Passengers and crew may embark or disembark only after passing through security. Once a ship is underway, access is strictly limited to documented employees and fare-paying passengers.
Each passenger is issued an identification card which contains their digital photo and personal identification information on a magnetic strip that he or she must present when entering or leaving the ship. This technology allows the ship to know which passengers and crew members are on board and which are not.
Each cruise ship has a dedicated security officer and staff whose sole function is the security of its passengers and crew. Typically, security staff personnel have former law enforcement or military background and are trained according to international security regulations.
Foreign crew members on ships are required to obtain a visa issued by the U.S. State Department for entry into the United States. This visa requires the completion of a background check. In addition, cruise ship employees are pre-screened by recruiting agencies.
Cruise lines operate within a legal framework under which international, federal and state authorities investigate crimes on board cruise ships. Unlike most instances of shore side crime, the FBI has the authority to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes in international waters involving Americans.
The U.S. Coast Guard has jurisdiction for inspection and enforcement of international safety and security standards for all ships calling at U.S. ports.
Cruising is among the most popular vacation options in large part because of its excellent safety record and the high level of quality service cruise ships provide. I feel 100% confident in recommending a cruise vacation to anyone.
Jerry Vaughn
