Mom Shares Important Warning About Cruise Safety for Parents
As relaxing as cruise vacations ideally are, they still come with a certain set of risks that all potential cruisers should stay mindful of. With significant crime risks both on board and onshore, the possibility of encountering a violent storm, and the rare but never nonexistent chance of falling overboard, cruisers need to consider all possible risks so they can prepare accordingly to ensure a safe, successful sailing.
One particular risk pertains to families cruising with toddlers and young children, and one cruise vlogger felt that this risk hasn't been covered enough. After seeing a very scary video from one family's cruise, she took to TikTok to share an important safety warning with other young parents.
My heart dropped into my stomach when the video opened on that little girl gazing over the balcony, perched dangerously high on a stool. As a mother with young children, travel vlogger @thealwayssomewherefam felt that same dread. She often shares cruise safety tips with other young families, and she places particular emphasis on safe practices when staying in a balcony room with young kids!
By design, cruise ship balconies are built high enough to prevent children and even adults from accidentally falling overboard. However, kids are curious, resourceful, and love climbing. As we saw in the example video, it takes very little for a kid to put themselves in a life-threateningly precarious situation- the kind of danger no parent ever wants to risk.
So what does our traveling mother recommend for families cruising in a balcony room? Her first tip is a given: "Keep a close eye on your kids and keep them within arm's reach," she advises parents. Of course, she acknowledges that this isn't always possible, so she also suggests other contingency plans to keep little kids away from the balcony unattended.
She recommends keeping the balcony door locked whenever no one is using it, and for additional security, she even advises picking up an adhesive refrigerator lock or sliding glass door lock to take on your cruise. Since kids can use the balcony's furniture to climb dangerously close to the edge, she also recommends either pulling the furniture inside the cabin whenever not in use or asking Guest Services if they will remove the furniture for the duration of the trip.
"I know accidents like this on a cruise ship are rare, but it's possible, so it's so important to practice safety precautions and talk to your kids about being safe on board," she exhorts parents before closing out her video. If your kids are old enough to understand consequences, talking to them about the dangers of certain behaviors may discourage them from putting themselves at risk- though parents should still take all the precautionary measures they feel are necessary.
Other Cruise Safety Tips for Young Families
With the right itinerary and a ship full of family-friendly, kid-safe activities, a cruise vacation can be a great and relatively safe option for families with young children. Still, even if you're on a cruise that caters to families with kids, like Disney Cruise Lines, the same safety risks apply as they would on any cruise ship.
After the tragic death of Chloe Wiegand, a toddler who fell overboard a Royal Caribbean ship through an open window, Forbes highlighted some of the ways parents can ensure their kids' safety on cruises. In addition to tips similar to the ones addressed in the above video, Forbes' article recommends having your kids wear wristbands with electronic tracking devices, an option that some cruise lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, and MSC offer either for free or at a low price. They also recommend taking care around pools, using trusted companies for onshore excursions, and reminding parents to drink responsibly.
Tragic accidents like the death of Chloe Wiegand are very, very rare. However, parents can further ensure the safety of their families by taking extra safety precautions, even when relaxing on a cruise ship. A little diligence can go a very long way!
For more WanderWisdom updates, be sure to follow us on Google News!
Have you had a funny, interesting, or just highly memorable experience while traveling? We'd love for you to submit a video of your travels for a chance to be featured on WanderWisdom and our social channels! Click here to upload your clip and share your adventures with the world.
