Cruise Injury Blog

Cruising has started again, and many people can’t wait to stretch out their sea legs! While most are focusing on the safety of cruising amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to remember that there are other safety factors you should consider on your next cruise.

There are many aspects that cruise lines don’t want to advertise explicitly regarding cruise safety, but those who cruise should be aware of them. Here are a few things to consider that should help make sure you’re as safe as possible on a cruise.

The Good News

While you may worry about safety on cruise ships, it’s important to understand that cruise lines generally take guest safety very seriously. Sometimes, circumstances do happen on board that can endanger the safety of passengers, but cruise lines equip their ships with many features to help balance the risk.

Every cruise ship

If you think crime only happens on land, think again. Cruise ships are generally known for their upscale amenities and stunning vistas, but unfortunately, the cruise industry is also known for its prevalence in crime.

With a lack of law enforcement personnel on a ship’s staff, it can be difficult to monitor for criminal activity—particularly when criminals work in conjunction with other passengers or crew members. There have been numerous instances of violence aboard cruise ships, from theft and robbery to manslaughter and sexual assault.

While the FBI has jurisdiction over crimes committed at sea, they rarely get involved unless there is a risk of physical injury or death.

Common Cruise Crimes

The most common types of criminal behavior on cruises are public intoxication and disorderly conduct — hands down — and those offenses are rarely prosecuted. But serious violent offenses occur on cruise

How Common are Accidents on Cruise Ships?

It’s important to remember that there are plenty of dangerous, extreme activities available on cruise ships and on the coastal tourist spots along the way. Between 2005 and 2018,  there were 448 major cruise ship accidents reported. 16 people died in cruise ship accidents between 2005 and 2011.

Recreational equipment failure may be to blame for a large number of cruise ship accidents, but there are plenty of on-board safety concerns, including but not limited to:

Loss of power resulting in being adrift at sea Fire (101 incidents since 2005) Plumbing issues (bursting pipes, overflowing toilets, etc.) Spread of viruses Improper sanitation Running aground Sinking Crime

Can I Sue the Cruise Line If I Am Injured on their Ship?

Once a cruise ship departs from the U.S. coast, federal maritime laws take over, but basic principles of

For those who are going on a cruise for the first time, planning can feel overwhelming. There are simply things a first-time cruiser won’t know. And that’s okay. But you should endeavor to learn what you can in order to make sure you’re safe on your first cruise.

What that means is that there are definitely things you should do – and things you shouldn’t. Here are some tips for first-time cruisers to help you stay safe and sound on the high seas. And maybe not look so much like a rookie cruiser!

COVID: The Concern Doesn’t Stay on Land

Vacations are meant to be an escape from the trappings of everyday life, but in this day and age, you cannot expect to leave some things back on dry land. Today, that means COVID and any concerns you have about this illness.

Cruise ships

Cruise ships are often places of joy – places where families do fun activities together and enjoy a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While cruising may be an escape from reality, some realities can follow you aboard a cruise line, including medical malpractice.

On a cruise ship, there are many ways someone could become hurt or ill and require medical attention. Passengers on these cruise ships expect medical care to be provided in a competent manner by the doctors and nurses on board who have been charged with their health and wellbeing.

If the medical care received isn’t sufficient or a condition is made worse by treatment received while onboard, you may have a case of medical malpractice. Here’s what you need to know about medical malpractice on Florida cruise ships and your recourse if you think you have

As the number of vaccinated Americans continues to rise, travel restrictions are relaxed, and cruises are ready to set sail on the ocean blue. Cruise lines have been encouraged to go to great lengths to ensure that COVID-19 outbreaks will be stamped out at first sight through cruise safety protocols.

COVID-reducing protocols include but are not limited to social distancing, limited capacity, mask policies, and COVID-19 testing. These have been implemented to curb an outbreak from the start. While cruise lines are expected to do their part, you are also expected to keep in mind your own safety and the safety of those around you.

In this post, we will go over everything you need to know to optimize your safety on a post-COVID-19 cruise ship.

The CDC’s Guidelines on How to Stay Safe on a Cruise

The CDC’s general message about attending cruise

Cruising is starting to come back! While this is great news for people who work in the cruise industry and folks who enjoy cruising, the landscape of cruising has changed in the post-COVID world.

How have things changed?

Some cruise lines are requiring all passengers over age 12 to be fully vaccinated. With some lines, children under 12 who cannot yet be vaccinated are not allowed to cruise.

Other cruise lines have enacted policies that make unvaccinated people feel like second-class citizens. Some lines are relegating unvaccinated individuals to certain parts of the ship and letting those who are fully vaccinated go where they please.

One thing is for certain: if you plan to cruise any time soon, you may want to get COVID travel insurance, just in case. For some cruise lines, you may even be required to have it if you’re not