What Happens if You Fall Off a Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

Falling off a cruise ship is a terrifying possibility that no one wants to consider, yet it remains a real danger. The ocean is vast and unpredictable, and if you do fall off a cruise ship, the chances of survival are slim.

If you fall off a cruise ship, the most important thing to remember is to remain calm. Panicking will only make it harder to survive in the water.

You should try to keep afloat as much as possible, by floating or swimming until help arrives. If you can find something buoyant like a life jacket or an inflatable ring to keep you afloat, that would help too.

The next step is to try and attract attention from anyone on board or nearby cruises who may be able to see you in the water. You can shout for help loudly or wave your arms and hands around in the air as a sign of distress. It’s also advisable to remove any clothing that might weigh you down when trying to stay afloat in the water.

If all else fails and nobody notices your cries for help, then you should try and swim towards shore if possible. This may take some time depending on how far away from land you are; however, with determination and strength, it may be possible for you to reach safety eventually.

Conclusion: Falling off a cruise ship can have dangerous consequences; however, with quick thinking and calmness of mind it may be possible for someone who has fallen overboard to survive until help arrives. Knowing what steps should be taken in such an emergency could mean the difference between life and death.