First Safety

The greatest danger facing cruise-ship passengers is fire. All cruise lines must meet certain international standards for fire safety. The rules that went into effect in October 1997 require that ships have sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and other safety features. In November 2000, the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) announced that audible smoke alarms would be installed in all cabins, staterooms, and cabin corridors on their ships, as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board. Each member cruise line agreed to install local alarms as soon as feasibly possible, so check with your line to see if they have been installed.

In March 2001, the ICCL adopted new mandatory safety standards regarding life jackets, requiring members to have an infant flotation device for every infant on board and to increase the number of adult life jackets by 30-50% by July 1, 2001. These rules are designed to protect against loss of life. They do not guarantee that a fire will not happen; in fact, fire is a relatively common occurrence on cruise ships. The point here is not to create alarm, but to emphasize the importance of taking fire safety seriously.

Fire safety begins with you, the passenger. Once settled into your cabin, find the location of your life vests and review the emergency instructions inside the cabin door or near the life vests. Ensure your vests are in good condition and learn to secure the vest properly. Make certain the ship's purser knows if you or your companion has some physical infirmity that may hamper a speedy exit from your cabin.

In case of an emergency, the purser can quickly dispatch a crew member to assist you. If you are traveling with children, be sure child-size life jackets are placed in your cabin.

Within 24 hours of boarding your ship, you will be asked to attend a mandatory lifeboat drill. Do so and listen carefully. If you have any questions, ask them. If you are unsure of how to use your vest, now is the time to ask. Only in the most extreme circumstances will you need to abandon ship -- but it has happened. The few minutes you spend learning the right procedure may serve you well in a mishap.