Every year, over 20 million people take cruises, according to 2017 research by StatisticBrain.com. Destinations can range from nearby ports in the Caribbean to far away locales like Tahiti or even the Antarctic. If you stop and think about the fact that cruise ships transport thousands of tourists with no sailing experience or skills to distant locales across the high seas, it’s surprising there aren’t more injuries. Many first-time passengers have never been on a boat, let alone a massive cruise ship. The size and stability of these ships can give people the false sense of security. In fact, a passenger could easily forget that he or she is even on a ship at all. Still, there are certain parts of a ship that present special dangers.
Watertight Doors
Never try to outrun a closing watertight door. One manufacturer – Gard – explains that these doors are designed to close tightly enough to keep water from passing through them. This means an extremely high-pressure seal. If there is a breach, these doors must keep thousands of pounds of water from infiltrating the next section of the ship. On most ships, these doors operate automatically or are operated from remote locations, so that passenger trying to get through will not be seen. When people try to race to pass through doors that are closing, they can get trapped and seriously injured or killed.
Wet/Slippery Surfaces
Whether it’s a pool deck, locker room, or restaurant, slip and falls account for one of the most frequent injuries. After all, water is everywhere.
Ferries & Lifeboats
When cruise ships stop at ports, people are often shuttled from the ship to the port and back aboard tenders or ferries.. Many times, local operators are used to provide these services, and they may not have the training and expertise necessary. Plus, the equipment may be outdated, safety features can be missing entirely, and local standards may not be up to par. Passengers are frequently injured in these small vessels, or while getting on or off of them. The same is true of lifeboats. They may be located in precarious spots or not secured properly. Crew may forget to properly harness them after routine training drills. Some passengers have been injured by lifeboats that broke free from their moorings.
Dining Facilities & Fast-Spreading Illnesses
You would not think that food borne illness or allergic reactions would be big hazards on a multi-million dollar state of the art cruise ship but many cruise ship passengers have suffered from food-related illnesses and injuries. This often happens when crew members ignore or simply do not understand a passenger’s requests regarding allergies or when food is not properly stored, handled or prepared. In some situations, entire ships have experienced food poisoning or other illness. Due to the close confines of a cruise ship these illnesses spread very quickly and tend to effect a large portion of the passengers and crew.
Balconies
Just like any fancy resort, many cruise ships have luxurious facilities, including large, panoramic balconies that overlook the open ocean. Sadly, distractions and alcohol often play a role in people falling from balconies. Just last year, a toddler fell from a balcony aboard a Carnival Cruise Lines ship in Florida, Fox News reports.
Talking to a Florida Cruise Ship Injury Attorney
Whether you’ve been hurt due to a dangerous condition on board or the negligence of crew members, you have a right to be compensated for your injuries on board a cruise ship. Call toll-free (866) 473-2636 to speak with Michael F. Guilford, P.A., an experienced Florida maritime injury lawyer. Consultations are free, and there is no charge unless we are able to help you recover for your injuries.
Resources:
statisticbrain.com/cruise-ship-industry-statistics/
foxnews.com/travel/2017/08/07/young-girl-falls-from-carnival-cruise-balcony-is-airlifted-to-florida-hospital.html
cnn.com/2017/12/16/us/cruise-ship-illness/index.html
gard.no/web/updates/content/20651844/injuries-and-deaths-caused-by-watertight-doors
FAQs
While on the actual ship itself, one of the more dangerous areas can be around balconies and railings looking over the ship. People tend to lose their inhibitions while on the ship, especially when consuming alcohol, which makes the risk of falling overboard higher.
What is the most dangerous part of a cruise ship? ›
While on the actual ship itself, one of the more dangerous areas can be around balconies and railings looking over the ship. People tend to lose their inhibitions while on the ship, especially when consuming alcohol, which makes the risk of falling overboard higher.
What is the most common injury on a cruise ship? ›
Many passengers have injured feet, ankles and knees through slips, trips and falls on cruise ships. These injuries are often the result of slick surfaces, as well as elevated surfaces and unmarked steps throughout the ship, and can lead to chronic pain and limitations.
What is the biggest crime on cruise ships? ›
One of the most common crimes occurring on cruise ships is sexual assault. Living in such close proximity to other passengers and crew members can create a dangerous environment for vacationers across the world.
What part of a cruise ship is worst for motion sickness? ›
If you're prone to seasickness, it's best to avoid cabins at the front of the ship. You may also find that even if you have a balcony or outside space, it might be too windy for you to open the doors! You want a little bit of fresh air – not a gale!
What part of a cruise ship is the roughest? ›
The front of a ship can be the most uncomfortable place to be in big waves. This is because the front of a ship pitches a lot more in waves than the center of a ship or even the back.
What is the safest floor on a cruise ship? ›
But if you do worry that you might feel a little unwell, think about the location of your stateroom. The most stable part of the ship is its lowest point of gravity, so on a lower deck, at the center.
What cruise line has the most accidents? ›
The Least Secure Cruise Lines of 2023
- Carnival Cruise Line: 51 incidents.
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: 27 incidents.
- Disney Cruise Line: 20 incidents.
- MSC Cruise Lines: 10 incidents.
Primary Causes of Maritime Accidents
- Long Hours, Lack of sleep leading to Fatigue.
- Inexperience, and lack of training.
- Long voyages, extended time at sea.
- Personal relationships aboard the vessel.
- Reckless Behavior, including abuse of drugs and alcohol.
- Poor decision making and/or negligence.
You can sue a cruise ship if you're injured in a fall onboard. When there is a fall hazard—something that causes a slip or trip—and you suffer injuries, the cruise company might be legally responsible. They must provide a safe environment for passengers and workers alike.
What is the Safest Cruise Line? The CDC gave ships with Disney Cruise Lines a score of 96 or above on their 2016 inspections. According to their voluntary disclosures in Q2 of 2016, there was 1 claim of theft exceeding $10,000 and 2 claims of sexual assault.
Are there jail cells on cruise ships? ›
There are no police officers on cruise ships, but most vessels have small jails known as the brig, and unruly passengers could find themselves locked up if the ship's security team determines that they have violated the cruise line's code of conduct.
What is the riskiest part of a cruise ship? ›
The 5 Most Dangerous Parts of a Ship for Passengers
- Watertight Doors. Never try to outrun a closing watertight door. ...
- Wet/Slippery Surfaces. ...
- Ferries & Lifeboats. ...
- Dining Facilities & Fast-Spreading Illnesses. ...
- Balconies. ...
- Talking to a Florida Cruise Ship Injury Attorney.
Check for decks close to the crew service entrances as well as the main cruise engine. Such decks will have a higher level of noise compared to a sandwiched deck area.
What cruise ship is best to avoid seasickness? ›
If you're concerned about being seasick on a cruise, it's good to know that Celebrity's Solstice-class ships, which include Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, and Celebrity Reflection, are built for smooth sailing, with fin-like stabilizers mounted beneath the ship's ...
What is worse the front or back of a cruise ship? ›
Front of the ship
As this is where the ship cuts through the waves, the front will experience the most movement, meaning if you're prone to sea sickness you may feel a little green!
Which part of the cruise ship is safest? ›
Lower decks
This is due to the fact that this section of the ship, which is also its lowest and most central, is the most stable in choppy seas.
Which cruise line is the safest? ›
What is the Safest Cruise Line? The CDC gave ships with Disney Cruise Lines a score of 96 or above on their 2016 inspections. According to their voluntary disclosures in Q2 of 2016, there was 1 claim of theft exceeding $10,000 and 2 claims of sexual assault.
How common are cruise ship murders? ›
Although cruise ship murders are incredibly rare, they do happen. Murders are usually committed by a person that the victim knows and the majority of cruise ship murders involve arguments that escalate or a previous history of abuse.
