Cruising is one of the safest ways to travel. From young children still glued to their mothers’ hip to retirees spending their golden years sipping margaritas under the Caribbean stars, the safety initiates on modern cruise ships are in place to keep everyone protected. However, if a cruise ship is best described as a floating city, then when you book a 10-day cruise to the Canary Islands, you need to take all the safety precautions you would normally would if you were spending 10-days wandering around cities like London, Rome or Cairo. In other words, wherever you travel, you should also pack common sense, caution and a heightened sense of awareness, and this is as true for a cruise vacation as it is for a safari adventure in the African Savannah. Here’s a look at 5 safety tips for your next cruise getaway.

1. Research

Before you pick a cruise line and embark on your exciting journey, a little research should be done first. One of the biggest safety concerns associated with cruising is food poisoning, illness and the overall sanitation of the boat. However, you can find a cruise lines safety and sanitation records by researching the CDC. It’s a good idea to know the track record of a ship before you climb aboard for a week.

2. Be Careful with Wi-Fi

More and more people are traveling with their electronic devices. Today, Wi-Fi is as commonplace on cruise ships as daily snorkeling excursions, cooking classes and volleyball tournaments. Some cruise lines even sell tablets and gadgets in their onboard stores. However, bare in mind that public Wi-Fi connections are not secure. If you want to plug in, then use some caution and common sense. Identity theft services like LifeLock will give you a greater peace of mind. By combining difficult user passwords with Lifelock, you should be able to use your electronic gadgets without worrying about identify theft.

3. Guard Your Devices

There are as many hi-tech security cameras on a cruise ship as there are in a city. However, some general travel precautions should still be taken. Do not walk around at night on the ship by yourself. If you are traveling with kids, don’t leave them in the cabin unattended. While these things seem like common sense, you would be surprised how common sense goes out the widow once people embark on a vacation.

4. Attend the Muster Drill

At the beginning of every cruise there is a safety briefing known as a muster drill. This is not the time to be unpacking in your cabin or exploring the restaurant scene or casino. You need to attend this briefing. The muster drill gives you directions for what to do in case of an emergency. It will familiarize you with the ship’s escape routes and illustrate how to properly use the life vests.

5. Protect Your Personal Information

Keep your passport protected at all times. Every time you dock and get off the cruise ship, you are going to need your passport. You will need it to get back on the boat as well. When you’re flashing your passport this frequently, it is easy to drop it, misplace it or have it stolen. It is recommended that you make a copy of your passport and store it in your cabin in case of an emergency.

The cruise ship is not just a floating city, but a floating paradise. It is a chance to getaway from everyday life and enjoy turquoise water, blue sky and sun-kissed islands. It is a time to be relaxed and carefree. Just don’t getaway from common sense, caution and awareness.

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