Cruise Vacations: Are They Safe?

The Cruise Lines International Association predicts that 12.6 million passengers will go on cruise vacations this year.  This is a  500,000 increase in cruise guests compared to 2006.  But despite this expected growth in the cruise market, top cruise line official identify three areas that present challenges. The  International Herald  Tribune    covers  this  interresting topic with  the Carnival  CEO.

The first challenge involves improving customers satisfaction by  improving the infrastructure at ports of call.  Another challenge is the importance of  conserving fuel.  But the biggest challenge might well be removing the perception  that cruise vacations  are more dangerous than other vacations.  This is a serious challenge for the cruise industry.

The perception that cruise vacations may not be as safe as other vacation options is may be fueled by the extensive media coverage of stomach illnesses and crimes on cruise ships.  This may cause potential cruisers to feel that cruising is not a safe vacation option. Cruise officials are quick to counter that outbreaks of norovirus  happen less frequently on cruise ships than they do in everyday life.

For example,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that  Carnival's brands had 15 reported norovirus outbreaks in 2006.  Compare this to the CDC estimates that 23 million people, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, develop symptoms of norovirus each year, while less than 1 percent of cruise passengers are affected by norovirus.

Despite these statistics, many believe that there's a higher risk of getting sick on a cruise vacation  than another form of vacation.  What do you think?