Disaster strikes on Vanuatu cruise

A terrible incident has been reported on the Explorer of the Seas cruise ship and Police and detectives were waiting for the ship to dock in Sydney on Tuesday morning, reports Yahoo News.

It is alleged the woman told staff another passenger attacked her during the trip to Vanuatu.

Detectives spent several hours talking with witnesses and taking statements on Tuesday while forensic police also inspected the ship, which can accommodate more than 3000 guests, to collect evidence.

According to a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean International, which runs the Explorer of the Seas cruise, it is helping with the investigation and is providing support to the woman.

At this stage no arrests have been made.

With all the stories that have been reported, how do we stay safe on a cruise?

Just remember that cruising is one of the safest forms of travel, and a huge majority of cruises have gone without incident. But just like any vacation, it’s worth taking some basic precautions to stay safe.

1. Have the alcohol under control

There’s alcohol a plenty onboard, and it’s easy to get carried away, so be aware of your own limits. Be mindful of who is buying you your drinks and never accept drinks from strangers. And no matter how intoxicated you are, don’t accept a walk back to your cabin from a stranger.

2. Find a friend

If you’re a solo cruiser, find a friend early on and that way you can both look out for each other. People who travel in groups or pairs are far less of a ‘target’. Also don’t announce to the world that you are traveling soloand don’t walk by yourself in quiet areas, you’re just inviting danger.

3. Keep your cabin safe

Not all cabin doors automatically close so you will have to give them a pull when you leave and a push when you are inside to make sure they click shut. Bring your own door stopper as an added security feature. And if you’re ordering food, do it through room service directly. If you place the order outside the door, it usually lists the number of people per cabin and strangers will know you’re alone.

4. Don’t ever accept an invitation to the crew quarters.

This will result in the instant dismissal for the crew and you will likely find yourself dropped off at the next port stop.

5. Pay attention at the muster drill.

The muster drill is where you learn where your muster station is, how to don a lifejacket and what the alarms mean should they be sounded. While you can sneak out from this “boring” situation, you might be missing out on life-saving information.

And don’t forget other “common sense” tips like not leaning over the balcony, not flashing your cash around, and not attracting too much attention to yourself.

Have you heard of any cruise stories? Are you already using these tips? Please share your cruise experiences with us in the comments…