Customer Safety is our Primary Concern
Cruise Direct would like to reassure potential and existing customers that client safety is of the utmost importance to us, and that we take it very seriously.
The cruise industry carries many millions of passengers every year, including in the region of 1.7 million Britons. Major incidents are very rare, and cruising remains an extremely safe way to holiday. Every year, the cruise industry implements more technological advances, improved processes and better procedures, improving safety standards. Similarly, crews are given rigorous and extensive training for various emergency scenarios, including evacuation.
The cruise industry is very heavily regulated, and works closely with the International Maritime Organisation, which is under the remit of the United Nations and which sets the strict global standards governing the operation of cruise ships. All modern cruise ships must be designed and operated in compliance with the strict requirements of international law.
Cruising has invested heavily in building new ships and refurbishing existing fleets, not only to improve facilities, but to ensure passenger safety. Because of the strict standards to which all cruise companies must adhere, major incidents are thankfully very rare.
Please bear in mind when considering a cruise for your next holiday that the safety of all passengers and crew onboard is the highest priority for both the cruise companies and for Cruise Direct.
We are here to assist you from your initial enquiry with us, to your return home. Should you have any queries regarding the safety of cruise ships or are concerned in any way about booking a cruise holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with the most up to date guidance and assistance.
Below is some more useful information from the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE):
1. How could this happen to a modern cruise ship?
The investigation into what happened on January 13th is still under investigation by the appropriate authorities and the wider industry has pledged their full cooperation. Until the investigation is complete it would be wrong to pre-empt the outcome.
What we can say with some clarity is that incidents of this kind are incredibly rare; the technology used on modern cruise ships is extremely advanced and the safety standards and crew training adopted by cruise lines are rigorous.
2. Does this mean that cruising is a safe holiday choice?
Absolutely. Cruising remains one of the safest forms of holiday available, and the cruise line industry has heavily invested in technology, procedures, in officers and crew training.
While even one death is one too many, between 2005-2010 cruise lines carried nearly 100 million passengers with a total 16 deaths related to marine casualties.
As the industry has grown, the IMO, United States, European Union and other regulators have updated and enhanced the safety regime in numerous ways, including: improvements in navigation equipment, implementing shipboard safety management systems, enhancing life saving equipment, safe return to port standards; revised training and certifications standards; etc.
The cruise industry consistently works with the International Maritime Organisation, international maritime authorities, design and surveying experts, and shipbuilders to implement stringent safety standards and will continue to do so.
3. Who regulates the safety of cruise ships?
All cruise ships are designed and operated in compliance with the strict requirements of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which falls under the United Nations. This body sets the strict global standards for the operation of cruise ships. This is overlaid by regulations enforced by flag states, where the ship is registered, and port state control which represent the country where the ship is sailing.
As you would expect, ships’ crew undertake extensive training, certification, drills and scenarios for any emergency situation, including evacuation.
4. Are cruise ships safe?
All cruise ships and cruise lines have to comply with very strict regulations set by the IMO. One of the most important pieces of regulation set by the IMO is the treaty called Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) which includes comprehensive regulations covering safety equipment and procedures, and the standards set by this regulation cover all commercial ships carrying more than 12 passengers. Please remember that the safety of all passengers and crew onboard cruise ships is the highest priority for companies.
5. Will this incident affect customer demand for cruising?
Whilst it is probably too early to establish the precise impact this incident will have, we should remember that a cruise offers one of the safest holiday choices. Cruising has invested heavily in building new ships and refurbishing existing fleets to not only improve and create new facilities but to ensure passenger safety. There have been over 13.5 million ocean cruises sold in the UK and Ireland in the last decade, and incidents of this kind are thankfully isolated and very rare.