Tips to Ensure Safety on Your Next Shore Excursion
Shore excursions are a big part of most cruises. These excursions, which are offered at various ports, can be a lot of fun, so long as cruise passengers are safe. An incident involving a passenger on a fatal snorkeling excursion off the coast of Australia has raised important questions regarding the safety of water-based activities offered to cruise ship passengers.
A 67-year-old female passenger on the Carnival Splendor, was found “unresponsive” in the water near Moreton Island off the coast of Queensland on Friday, April 17, according to a statement from the Queensland Police Service (QPS). She was found in the water near the Tangalooma Wrecks, a popular shipwreck snorkeling site.
According to authorities, attempts were made to resuscitate the woman; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene from an apparent drowning. The incident occurred during the four-day round-trip sailing that departed from Sydney, Australia on April 15. The voyage included two days at sea and 10 hours at Moreton Island.
It is important that cruise ship passengers spend as much time planning their time off the ship, as planning their time on the ship. Here are some important tips to help ensure your safety while on shore excursions.
Book Excursions through the Cruise Line.
It is best to only book excursions through the cruise line and not through someone who is not licensed or regulated by the visiting port. If any questions arise as to whether the person with whom the passenger is booking the excursion is licensed, always ask. If the person is licensed, he or she will be able to provide the proper documentation.
Do Independent Research.
Each port will have its own tourism bureau and website. Do not solely rely on the ship’s website or onboard salespeople.
Read Online Reviews.
Online reviews and message boards can provide insight into all aspects of the excursion, including questions of safety.
Know Your Limitations.
Before planning your next shore excursion, whether it be a ziplining adventure, parasailing, or snorkeling – know that these activities are not for everyone. You are in a foreign country about to do an activity you may have never tried before. Know what you’re capable of and be honest about it with yourself and with your travel companions.
Purchase Travel Insurance.
Many travelers are surprised to find that without cruise travel insurance; they could be left footing a steep bill with little to no support from the cruise line. At Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, we’ve represented countless clients who suffered cruise ship injuries or emergencies and found themselves financially unprotected due to lack of travel insurance. The last thing anyone wants is to have an accident, or any type of medical emergency far away from home, especially in another country. Research shore excursion activities thoroughly and know what’s involved before booking the activity.
INJURED ON A CRUISE SHIP OR CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION? SPEAK TO A CRUISE SHIP ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY:
Cruise lines are responsible for the injuries that passengers sustain on and off the ship. Florida law is clear that cruise lines have a non-delegable responsibility to make sure that passengers are safe when being transported between the ship and shore.
If you have been injured on a cruise ship, tender or in port, it is important that you seek immediate medical care and report the incident. Cruise lines often defend cases based upon a “lack of reported incident.” Also, immediately consult with an experienced passenger injury lawyer who is admitted to practice in Federal Court.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers has obtained millions of dollars in compensation for injured cruise ship passengers and crew members onboard the major cruise lines. We are constantly filing lawsuits against Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, Disney and other cruise lines around the world in Federal Court. Since 1991, our law firm has helped injured passengers hold the cruise lines accountable. We work hard to get our clients compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering. The cruise lines are part of multi-billion-dollar industry and employ the most aggressive and experienced lawyers–which is why you need experienced legal counsel on your side, too.