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CRUISE SAFETY
Why does it matter if
the ship sails out of a U.S. port?
How can I find out about
my ship’s sanitation record?
How can I increase my
safety while aboard the ship?
How can I improve my
safety in the cabin?
Why does it matter if
the ship sails out of a U.S. port?
Whenever a passenger ship sails out of a U.S. port, even
under a foreign flag, it must pass U.S. Coast Guard inspection
standards, which are some of the highest in the world. This is even
true of a ship that spends most of its time in Europe, but spends a
season sailing the Caribbean out of a U.S. port. For it to be here,
it must meet U.S. requirements. You’ll want to be more cautious if
your ship doesn’t sail from a U.S. port. If it does not, you will
want to check into that Cruise Line’s reputation for safety and
that particular ship’s safety precautions before you book your
cruise.
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How can I find out about
my ship’s sanitation record?
www.cdc.gov/nceh/programs/sanit/vsp/scores/scores.htm
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s,
Sanitation Inspection of International Cruise Ships web page. This
site contains links to the CDC’s published inspection scores of
international cruise ships. Any ship that carries 13 or more
passengers and sails from a U.S. port at anytime during the year is
subject to two, yearly unannounced sanitation inspections. The ships
can also be re-inspected at anytime if necessary. The inspections
are made as part of the Vessel Sanitation Program of the U.S. Center
for Disease Control and Prevention. A maximum score of 100 points is
possible, with a score of 86 or higher judged as acceptable. If you
do investigate the ship’s scores, remember that anyone can have
a particularly good or bad day. To get the best overall picture of a
ship’s sanitation record, you should evaluate several of the ship’s
scores over a long period of time.
The inspectors evaluate the ship in the following areas.
Water supplies, distribution and storage.
Food storage, preparation and service.
Potential for contamination of food and water.
Practice and personal hygiene of employees.
General cleanliness and physical condition.
Training program in environmental and public health
concerns.
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How can I increase my
safety while aboard the ship?
Check to make sure there are enough life jackets in your cabin for
everyone, if you need more ask your cabin steward to provide them.
Attend and pay attention to the ship’s lifeboat drill. Learn the
best route from your cabin to the lifeboats and fire exits.
Always use the handrails, decks can be slick and it takes a while to
get your sea legs.
Sure, you want to party a little, but wait until you get used to the
ship’s motion before you start enjoying those adult beverages. The
sea can have the same effect on your equilibrium as alcohol and you
don’t want to get hit by a double whammy.
If you smoke, don’t throw your cigarette butts off the ship’s
deck, they can blow right back onto a lower veranda or open window
and start a fire.
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How can I improve my
safety in the cabin?
Always lock your cabin door.
Use the ship’s safety deposits boxes or cabin safe for your
valuables.
Never leave cash in your room.
If you have bunk beds in your cabin, be sure to use the ladder they
provide.
Make sure you always know how to contact your cabin steward.
Don't give out your cabin number to strangers
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