The cruise ship industry is undergoing some major changes. Vaccine mandates and suicides are incredibly significant changes they must deal with.
Suicide Attempts Astonishingly High
Cruise ships are a unique experience now. In a way, the cruise industry has changed dramatically since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. People in cruise ships were at a high risk of getting infected, which meant that they had to follow the most stringent prevention tips.
Cruise operations have changed a lot– and cruise lines were among the first ones damaged by the effects of the pandemic. As a result, many of the traditional practices of cruise ships have changed. On the other hand, many of the policies regarding violence and suicides have not changed dramatically due to the pandemic.
Cruise passenger suicide is more common than you may think. It is part of the paradox of suicide rates being higher in happier places. There are a variety of factors that could cause the spate of suicides. The cruise line also carries significant responsibility in cases that such cruise companies and insurance agencies don’t want you to know about. We will write more about these later in this article.
Common Considerations for Violence on Cruise Lines
Families go on cruises to forget their lives back home, not to face violence on their supposed relaxing journey. Unfortunately, violence is all too common on such cruise ships. Foul play is not uncommon– and cover-ups are often more common than cruise lines coming to terms with what happened to their passengers on their boats. Risk does not escape passengers or crew on any of these cruises.
Violence can take several forms on these ships. These include the risk of violence from other passengers or even crew and suicide. Each represents enough risk that passengers should exercise caution in every form. Before purchasing tickets to any time on the cruise ship or designated land stops, particular caution is necessary.
Cruise Line Death Statistics
A November 2020 study by the International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health stated 623 deaths on cruise ship lines between 2000 and 2019. These figures do not include any casualties on board during the first stages of the Coronavirus pandemic or since. Of these deaths, 89% were passenger deaths, and 11% were among the crew.
The researcher found several different causes of death on these cruise lines. The United States and its citizens represented the largest proportion of those who died on these cruises– a full majority, at 61%.
What Are Leading Causes of Death for Passengers and Crew on Cruise Ships?
Among the causes of death for passengers, 23% of them were caused by “falls overboard or onto lower decks.” A combination of homicide and suicide causes represented just under a fifth, at 19%. Among members of the crew, the figures are switched a bit. Suicide and homicide made up 29% of crew death cases. Falls were in second at 24%. Such an accident-causing loss of life is different between the two groups. Safety concerns remain for both, especially in cases of the faulty railing.
Cruise Ship Fatality Rates by Cruise Line
Ironically, the number of deaths, according to the study, closely corresponded with specific cruise lines. Among passengers, we have a fairly straightforward pattern:
- Carnival Cruise Lines (29%)
- Royal Caribbean Cruises (12%)
- Norwegian Cruise Line (10%)
There is also an exciting distribution of deaths among the crew on such deaths. Whether among passengers or crew, the risk of travel required more robust protocols.
- Carnival Cruise Line (19%)
- Royal Caribbean’s Cruises (19%)
COVID Concerns on Cruise Ships
Regardless of the place or whether docked or on the water, cruise ships were among the first places outside of China that showed the seriousness of the pandemic. Remember the Skype or Zoom interviews with stranded Americans on cruise ships talking about how many passengers, especially older ones, got sick from COVID 19?
At the time, the virus was among strange topics, and the decision to lock down much of the country hadn’t been met yet. Such a decision was days or weeks ahead, but the situation was still difficult, and the government had much to learn and understand yet.
The Start of the Pandemic
The cruise ship issues required attention and were, in fact, not the end of the situation but the beginning of a long and challenging process. It would get much more complicated before working itself to more accessible grounds.
Much could be read from the situation, significantly as more info on the virus was updated. The numbers from the ship seemed astronomical– almost out of the question. It was moving quickly and had limited access to the vessel. Several ships were beset with the virus, but none worse or more publicly than the Crown Princess. The Princess Cruises offered a view into the spread of the virus on the sea. The events of February 2020 seeped into March 2020’s massive concerns. Such light also shut down cruising into the summer of that year. It began a long and challenging time for cruise lines, passengers, ports that relied on such travel, and transportation in general.
Days Turn into Months with COVID 19
This early difficulty foresaw the continued shutdown or restrictions on cruise lines. It would bring the entire industry close to the brink in many ways. It was an opportunity for some to remake the industry. However, the conditions for infections– possibly by the thousands caused incredible strain month by month. Furthermore, the return of people onto these ships was anything but certain. Moreover, they would follow one of the sharpest recessions in modern history– in many ways, cruise ships were a simple sidebar to a much larger story.
The work to reopen the cruise lines was challenging– especially in an industry not famous for its ability to adjust or share crucial info. However, the government would require intense steps felt in the company’s pocketbook. It became clear that the government ban would stop, and passengers would no longer be turned away one day soon.
The Return of Cruise Lines
It took more than a year, but eventually, cruise lines would return to business. British cruises operated with many restrictions. By June 2021, sails from the United States started as well.
Overall, the effects of the pandemic were complicated. Ironically, many of the large cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, are all based outside of the United States and did not receive a bailout from the United States government due to this reason. Carnival Cruise Line’s stock fell by three quarters during the first several months of the pandemic– and massive issues also affected the other lines. Overall, the pandemic severely affected the state of Florida especially. One federal government report stated that the Sunshine State lost out on more than $3 billion in economic activity due to the pandemic.
Restrictions Since the Start of the Pandemic
There are now severe restrictions on cruise lines that operate in the United States. Protocols set up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coupled with corporate policies, and there are sharp new changes for passengers. These included mask mandates and restrictions for non-fully vaccinated workers and passengers. In some cases, the mask requirements were based on the state that the ship was moored in. Of course, enforcement of everyone on board would be difficult under any circumstances– with or without government support. Businesses could only patrol so much, though the federal government’s fear could help motivate these companies.
Some Freedom in an Age of Failed Policies
For example, cruise ships were welcome in the Sunshine State thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis. This freedom and power of the companies and the individuals was a significant change. Compared to the fight that began with other states– there was a “lifeboat” available for the employees and customers alike. It also started to expose the concern that restrictions didn’t seem to make as much sense once vaccinations became more common. You don’t need a college career or university degree to show that such forced policies after widespread vaccination had little effect on deck.
Confidence in changes in behavior and the effect of fully vaccinated passengers did make a change, though not one that often made it to the news in your house. The burden of the pandemic was changing as a sign and a matter of time. The data now supported at least some free action by passengers. Incident rates of coronavirus fall in 2021, and each vessel now has its own protocols. The larger companies, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and other cruise companies, each have a lot to answer for. Some of it is actually due to its acquiescence to government policies, including volunteer passengers and the need to wear masks, crew and ship passengers alive. The industry faced both the rough seas of the ocean and the rough seas of the economy.
CDC Recommendations for Cruise Ship Sailing
Things have changed a lot since December 2019. The grainy video of cruise passengers and crew facing a unique virus while out to sail is gone. The access to the ships, the introduction of vaccines, the omicron variant, and more have changed tremendously in the last two years. Cruise ships have implemented new policies across the world. Still, below are some standard Centers for Disease Control recommendations from their website. They’re no longer just called for permission but are more like suggestions unless otherwise noted. Proof of vaccination is needed.
- Get the vaccine, including the booster.
- It would help if you were tested no more than three days before boarding a cruise ship.
- If you are not fully vaccinated, you will receive both the test before boarding and another test by cruise personnel on the day you plan to leave.
More info is on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Each company may have a different testing or specific test policy or how to show proof of vaccination. More info can be found on their site– which is crucial for when the upcoming spring season will resume.
Finding the Right Cruise Ship Attorney
The correct cruise ship attorney, whether concerned about death on board, infection due to a cruise ship company negligence, or mask mandates, is the one with the most experience.
In Southern California, there is only one person and the team here to support you. The Ehline Law Firm APLC, with offices up and down California’s coast, is the right one. Ehline Law has significant info, including testimonials and experience, on their website or at (213) 596-9642. With a retired former Marine at the company’s helm, the Ehline Law Firm is a well-oiled machine with almost two dozen years of experience with maritime law and personal injury. They do a lot more than talk– they prove their clients’ cruise ship cases and fight for them until the end. The Ehline team will help you keep your job or receive compensation for lost work– or often both. We are available any day of the week– even on Saturday and Sunday.
Our team understands that many of these situations require special care or seem scary. In addition, there is a significant need for updated information or to protect your rights. Our team can sometimes help with medical expenses upfront, and our star attorneys work on contingency– we don’t charge unless we’ve managed your case to victory.
For more info, email them at losangeles@ehlinelaw.com or call them for more information. Their attorneys offer a free consultation and will be here for you and fight for your fights.