Hello, cruise lovers! If you are reading this, chances are you love cruising just like me.
One thing I love about cruise vacations is that they are always seen as something positive: from beautiful ocean views to fun activities onboard.
However, in this article, we’re going to discuss a rather strange question that pops into the minds of many travelers: what happens if you jump off a cruise ship?
Now, before getting into too much detail—I promise to try and keep it brief—let’s talk about why someone would do such a bold thing, and keep reading because, trust me, it’s much more serious than it sounds.
The Ocean Doesn’t Scare Passengers
One thing I have noticed, after all my many cruise trips, is that most people are not afraid of the ocean.
There has always been a draw to the water. The ocean possesses a certain feel: the sound of waves gently hitting the ship and the fresh salty air that you can’t get anywhere else.
I remember that during a cruise in the Caribbean, the water was an electric blue color that made it feel like diving into a dream.
At the same time, during quiet nights, the stars shine and the light bounces on the water. A calmness that gives you a great sense of security.
However, one thing that many passengers do not consider is that jumping off a cruise ship can be as risky as jumping off a building.
What Happens If You Jump
Jumping is definitely not a smart thing to do. There’s water underneath, so I’m not going to get hurt, some not very bright (or intoxicated) people might think.
In reality, the height from which you would jump off a cruise ship can be equivalent to several stories of a building.
That means that the speed and force of impact can make water like a solid surface. Unless you are an experienced diver you could injure yourself or in the most severe cases die from the impact.
In addition, you have the consider the water temperature shock. During some itineraries and some times of the year, the water can be extremely cold and a rapid immersion can cause hyperventilation, hypothermia and potential drowning.
Lastly, you have to consider the currents and propellers. Even if you are an experienced swimmer, the motion of the waves caused by the ship can disorient you and make you drown.
We discussed this in more detail in the article where we looked at whether a cruise ship can pull you under.
Cruise Ship Safety
There’s no need to say it: cruise ships are amazing examples of today’s engineering.
Their design also pays close attention to safety. They are built very carefully to keep everyone safe and comfortable while on board.
From my countless cruises, I’ve realized just how seriously cruise lines take passenger safety.
For example, crew members have a lot of training to deal with any emergency, and each ship is fitted with lifeboats and life jackets.
If you are curious, I’ve revealed the meaning of the most common emergency codes on cruise ships.
In addition, I have already told you why there are no lifeboats for everyone and why it is not a problem in this article.
The consequences (including ban)
From a practical perspective, if you jump off a cruise ship is someone notices (sometimes it can take several hours or days) a search and rescue operation will be launched.
The ship will be stopped and usually, other ships or helicopters are sent in support.
These operations can be very complicated, especially if they are carried out at night and in the open sea.
There is no need to specify that sometimes people who jump (or fall) from cruise ships are never found or are found after a long time.
If you are lucky enough and are rescued in a short time, you will still not get away with it.
Jumping from a cruise ship is among the things that will get you permanently banned from a cruise line. In some cases, the company or the government may also ask you to reimburse the costs of the rescue operation and any other economic damages.
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