For instance, decks must be maintained, and security surveillance must be in place to prevent passenger-on-passenger crime or to help someone who goes overboard receive immediate assistance. In terms of passenger-on-passenger crime, sexual assault and robbery are events that some cruise lines successfully protect passengers from while other cruise lines have an ongoing history of passenger assault.
Finally, safety also involves port safety, which becomes important when the ship docks. A cruise line's ability to educate passengers, chaperone them when necessary, and provide safety protocols to follow help keep strangers in strange lands safe. As a final note, safety records are maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, and these records span the following eight categories.
- homicide
- kidnapping
- suspicious death
- missing persons
- assault with serious injury
- tampering with vessel
- theft in excess of $10,000
- sexual assault
1. Crystal Cruise Lines
Overview
For three decades, Crystal Cruise Lines has offered premier cruise experiences to exotic and historic destinations like the Rhine River, the Northeast Passage, and the Danube. With four categories of ships, Crystal Cruise Lines maneuver rivers or oceans worldwide, delivering luxury experiences in equally luxurious accommodations.
Safety
As one of the safest cruise lines on the planet, these ships boast zero incidences across all categories throughout 2019 and 2020. In 2018, they reported one instance of theft in excess of $10,000.
In terms of port safety, the company offers a key-card monitoring system, which notifies security staff when you embark or disembark the ship. Moreover, all belongings brought onto Crystal ships undergo an x-ray.
According to their website, their training procedures "meet or exceed" the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This training involves lifeboat drills, weekly procedural drills, and video training. Additional training comes in the form of material audits, which provide accountability via the U.S. Coast Guard.
2. Disney Cruise Lines
Overview
Disney has managed to bundle all the excitement and fun for which their theme parks are known into luxurious family adventures at sea. There are so many themed events onboard that every family member will be able to enjoy live-action parties, shows, and meet and greets characters from just about any cartoon Disney has ever produced. Moreover, they offer water slides, live shows above and below deck, and a variety of events designed to entertain adults, teenagers, and children.
Safety
Because Disney emphasizes family fun, safety is a critical component in every cruise. Moreover, because each ship is family-oriented, this safety must be nearly invisible while also working perfectly.
In terms of staff training, Disney runs weekly drills and exercises to ensure each employee understands how to react in an emergency. These drills include fire drills and lifeboat exercises. In addition to boat drills, third-party safety audits are conducted by both the U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada Marine Safety. Ship maintenance is automated, ensuring everything is maintained according to schedule.
In terms of safety performance, the Coast Guard's safety record shows Disney has performed perfectly for the spring and summer of 2019 and all of 2020.
3. Princess Cruises
Overview
Princess Cruises offers cruises to global destinations, and the emphasis for each ship is exquisite personal entertainment and relaxation. From cuisine to scenery, passengers are provided top-tier experiences designed to immortalize memories.
Safety
For your safety, Princess Cruises monitors global health and travel situations, and itineraries are adjusted as necessary in the interest of keeping passengers safe and healthy. In terms of keeping you healthy, passengers receive thermal scanning to check for fevers. Additionally, the onboard staff maintains close contact with land-based health organizations and medical experts in case of an emergency.
The U.S. Coast Guard reports perfect performance across all categories for the following quarters.
2020
- January through March
- April through June
2019
- April through June
- July through September
4. Oceania Cruise Line
Overview
In terms of luxury, few cruise lines rival Oceania, which caters toward adults looking for elegance, sophistication, and a wide array of fine dining and formal entertainment options. They offer a wide selection of bars, cabanas, and spas. Additionally, their onboard pools, suites, and enrichment chef-training services are unrivaled.
Safety
Since Oceania caters to customers who expect something more and are able to afford it, safety is a top priority. As such, they conduct onboard safety drills and provide a variety of situational training for employees. In terms of health, each ship has a dedicated public-health officer onboard as well as a hospital-grade air-filtration system. They change itineraries to adjust for global weather, travel, or health situations.
When it comes to serious crimes as tracked by the FBI and the U.S. Coast Guard, Oceania maintains a perfect record from the second quarter of 2018 through 2020, making it one of the safest cruise lines of all time.
5. Holland America
Overview
Holland America offers a variety of so-called grand voyages to all the exotic hot spots on the planet. Whether you book a five-day adventure or a sea escape that lasts for three weeks or more, you will be treated to sophisticated orchestra performances, guided tours, and a host of personal pampering services. Onboard activities range from fitness sessions to spa treatment. Passengers can partake in culinary training and improvisation as well as a range of live musical performances.
Safety
Holland America partakes in third-party safety audits, and their onboard training and emergency drills are extensive. Except for one suspicious death in the first quarter of 2018 and one sexual assault in the second quarter of 2019, Holland America boasts a perfect track record for serious crimes.
Considering the company is one of the largest cruise lines on the planet, having served over 11,000,000 people in 146 years, your chance of becoming a victim is approximately equal to that of dying from an asteroid strike.
6. Seabourn
Overview
Owned by Carnival, Seabourn offers global escapes to every continent, including Antarctica. Unlike many cruise lines that might feel crowded or rambunctious, Seabourn's cruise lines are elegant, stylish, and spacious experiences designed to allow all passengers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to breathe in luxury. As this cruise line emphasizes scenery, 90-percent of the suites have a private veranda, and all suites come with a sofa and a full dining table. Complimentary alcohol is included, and every passenger receives a bottle of complimentary champagne.
Safety
Although the Seabourn brand might be one of the lesser-known cruise lines, it is one of the safest. In fact, the cruise line has not had a single serious incident throughout 2018, 2019, and 2020. You have to scour the records all the way back to 2017 during which time there was one incident of theft over $10,000. In other words, since the U.S. Coast Guard began tracking Seabourn, they have only had a single incident. Simply put, Seabourn might as well be synonymous with safety.
7. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Overview
As you might expect, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line focuses strictly on giving each and every passenger an experience of the Bahamas. You can opt for either two-night or four-night cruises, allowing you enough time to take in extensive island hopping. Ships feature casual and formal bars and an array of musical entertainment. Pools allow you to relax in the tropical sun while family events, shows, and gift shops allow children of all ages to rejuvenate.
Safety
As with other family-oriented cruise lines, Bahamas Paradise maintains a serious focus on health, safety, and security. They maintain a rigorous regimen of training and emergency-situation drills, and they have been audited by the U.S. Coast Guard since 2018. Since then, of all the adults and children for whom they have cared, there has been only one serious incident, which occurred in the first quarter of 2018. Following that, they have maintained two full years of safe cruises, enjoying a perfect record.
8. MSC Cruises
Overview
Free drinks and Wi-Fi are only two of the complimentary services enjoyed by all passengers. Others include the following.
- press reader to remain up to date on all ship-wide activities and events
- Zoe: virtual personal cruise assistance
- MSC for me app for use with interactive televisions
MSC oversees a variety of family-themed entertainment options that include thrills you will not find elsewhere, such as onboard ziplining and guided family tours at each port.
Safety
Health and safety are both priorities for MSC Cruises. They offer special-needs diets to keep everyone safe while dining, and they have onboard physicians. They also operate in compliance with guidelines defined by the International Maritime Organization, and they feature an excess of lifeboats and preservers. Inspections, drills, and emergency procedures ensure all employees are trained to respond quickly in times of emergency, and decks are dotted with safety maps and instructions written in seven languages.
In terms of fire and smoke, each ship is designed to isolate fire and smoke, allowing first-responders the ability to target any impacted area while passengers are carted to safety. In terms of serious incidences, MSC Cruises boasts a perfect record throughout the 2020 cruise season as well as a perfect record for the first quarter of 2019.
9. Celebrity Cruise Line
Overview
It is no wonder that Celebrity Cruises has won the Travel Weekly’s Best Premium Cruise Line award for 12 consecutive years as this line delivers amazing destinations, outstanding service, and luxurious accommodations. For instance, the Michelin-starred chef designs culinary experiences that provide guests with unrivaled cuisines from across the globe.
In terms of luxury accommodations, travelers of all ages will marvel at the detail and care with which this line has been designed. With travel to all seven continents and over 300 destinations, Celebrity Cruises truly delivers the world to its guests.
Safety
To ensure the safety of all guests, in addition to regular safety drills, all officers and crew complete extensive training in a variety of emergency-based scenarios, including evacuation procedures. All ships comply with the guidelines devised by the International Maritime Organization and often go beyond the required safety-related regulations regarding backup mechanical, safety, and navigational provisions.
In terms of the safety and security of passengers, as of 2018, Celebrity Cruises has a stellar record of low incidences with only one passenger theft in excess of $10,000 in 2018 and one sexual assault in 2020.
10. Royal Caribbean International
Overview
This award-winning cruise line has been recognized for excellence in practically every category, including unprecedented entertainment, world-class dining, and unique onboard experiences. For instance, in terms of innovation, you can thrill your family with the Ultimate Family Suite, which includes an in-suite slide and game room.
In terms of destinations, Royal Caribbean International cruises travel the world, allowing you to choose from a variety of relaxing vacations or thrilling adventures. For instance, you can choose to spend a little island time on some of the most pristine beaches in the world, explore the wonders of a rain forest, or soak in some old-world flavor in some of the ports located in the Mediterranean.
Safety
Passenger safety is a fundamental component of this cruise line. For instance, every cruise begins with a mandatory drill, referred to as the muster drill. During the muster drill, all passengers and crew members participate to ensure everyone on board the ship has a full understanding of what to do and where to go if an emergency should occur.
Additionally, crew members and officers participate in weekly, monthly, and annual drills. Furthermore, every cruise line operates in compliance with the guidelines set forth by the International Maritime Organization. With the exception of a few reported sexual assaults and two passenger theft incidents in 2019, no other incidents have been reported over the past year.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.
