How High Are the Railings on a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

When embarking on a cruise, one of the most important safety concerns is the height of the railings. The railings on a cruise ship must be tall enough to ensure passengers are safe and secure while aboard. Cruise ships must adhere to strict regulations set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as well as other governing bodies such as the U.S. Coast Guard and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

The IMO requires that all passenger ships have a railing height of at least 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) and that any openings in them must not exceed 12 centimetres (4.7 inches). This is to ensure that passengers cannot slip through or fall overboard in rough seas. Additionally, any doors or windows leading onto decks must have an additional guardrail.

Cruise lines may opt to exceed these minimum requirements by installing taller railings for added safety and security. For instance, Royal Caribbean has installed railing heights of 1.2 metres (4 feet) on some of their vessels, while Carnival Cruise Lines use 1.22 metres (4 feet) on their larger vessels.

The height of the railings will also depend on where they are located on the ship. On upper decks, where there is a greater risk of someone falling overboard, they may be higher than those located on lower decks where there is less risk.

Conclusion:

When it comes to how high are the railings on a cruise ship, it all depends on which line you are travelling with and where the railing is located onboard. All cruise ships must meet minimum requirements set by regulatory bodies such as IMO and U.S Coast Guard in order to ensure passenger safety and security at sea. However, some cruise lines may choose to exceed these standards by installing higher guardrails for added safety.