What type of electrical outles are on the ship?

 

 

Most of us never consider what type of electrical outlets we will

find in our stateroom until we board the ship. This can be very

important if you want to plug in an accessory you may have brought.

 

Most cruise ships are built in European Countries such as Italy,

Japan, Norway or Germany. Therefore, they are designed with

European electrical outlets. Most staterooms offer at least one 110

volt U.S standard outlet. The outlet in the bathroom is for one electric

razor only. This means you can not use a hair dryer or curling iron.

Fortunately, most cruise ships provide hair dryers in the cabin.

 

You can usually locate the single 110 outlet near the desk area.

With all the new technology that a lot of us now have such as

digital cameras, video cameras, laptop computers and cell phones

you may find it frustrating to charge your items. 

 

The best solution is to purchase a mini power strip with 4 power

outlets. You can find this at most computer stores or Wal-Mart. 

This power strips will greatly help and they are compact with

placing them in your luggage.

 

If you plan on taking a European cruise and staying a few extra

days before or after the cruise, you will need to invest in an

international adapter. Most computers and digital cameras will

operate on 220 or 110 as long as you can plug them in with your

international adapter.

 

Always read the label before plugging in to a foreign outlet to make

sure it operates on both 110 volt and 220 volt.

 

 

 

the Captain

www.theLuxuryShips.com

Toll free 1-877-22- SHIPS

What You Must Know About Sea Sickness!

 

 

 

When feeling motion but not seeing it (for example, in a ship with no windows), the inner ear transmits to the brain that it senses motion, but the eyes tell the brain that everything is still. 

 

Motion sickness or Kinetosis is a condition in which a disagreement exists between visually perceived movement and the vestibular system's sense of movement. 

 

Motion sickness, sometimes referred to as sea sickness or car sickness, is a very common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion. Motion sickness starts with the inner ear, your balance center. 

 

 

 

Motion sickness on the sea can result from being in the berth of a rolling boat without being able to see the horizon. Motion sickness is more common in women, especially during pregnancy or menstruation, but in general little is known about individual susceptibility. Motion sickness is not in your head; it's in your brain, say Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers who study "space sickness" in astronauts. 

 

 

 

Motion sickness can start suddenly, with a queasy feeling and cold sweats. Motion sickness may quiet down as soon as the motion stops. Motion sickness is easier to prevent than to eliminate once it has begun.  

 

About 33% of people are susceptible to motion sickness even in mild circumstances such as being on a boat in calm water, although nearly 66% of people are susceptible in more severe conditions. Many people experience motion sickness when riding on a boat or ship, and this is called seasickness even though it is the same disorder. In addition, even anticipating movement can cause anxiety and symptoms of motion sickness. 

 

 

 

Dizziness, fatigue, and nausea are the most common symptoms of motion sickness. Motion sickness begins with epigastria discomfort, often described as "stomach awareness," which is usually accompanied by increased salivation, eructation, and a feeling of bodily warmth. 

 

Some researchers suggest that there is another, distinct syndrome of motion sickness that lacks these gastrointestinal complaints and is instead characterized by drowsiness, headache, apathy, depression, and generalized discomfort. 

 

 

 

 

Recent ingestion of food, particularly dairy products and foods high in sodium, protein, or calories, has been associated with increased susceptibility. There seems to be a strong psychological component to motion sickness as well.  Elderly passengers tend to be more resistant to motion sickness and may not require medication. 

 

 

 

The scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop), which is applied every three days to the skin behind the ear, is recommended for longer periods of motion (greater than 6 hours), such as cruises and other boat rides. Herbal remedies and over-the-counter products can help treat mild discomfort; however, prescription strength medicine may be needed by persons who tend to develop nausea and vomiting. 

 

According to the CDC's information on motion sickness, non-pharmacologic methods for motion sickness may benefit some people but have not been proven to have consistent efficacy, although high levels of ginger have been helpful for some. If none of this works at preventing motion sickness, taking a Dramamine before a long trip is recommended. Antihistamines both prevent and treat motion sickness. 

 

Antihistamines used for the prevention of motion sickness include oral dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, promethazine, meclizine, and cyclizine.  Severe motion sickness may be treated with promethazine (Phenergan), which is more likely than the above mentioned regimens to cause decreased alertness.

 

 

 

General advice for avoiding motion sickness is eating a light meal no less than 3 hours before exposure. Avoid dairy products and foods high in protein, calories, or sodium before exposure. Avoid alcohol, smoking, and disagreeable odors. Increase ventilation or exposure to cool, fresh air.  Avoid visual stimuli (e.g., reading, watching videos).

 

Focus on a stable horizon or external object. Limit head movements. Stay in central location on ship. Lie in supine position. Motion sickness is an exceedingly common disorder about which primary care physicians are likely to be consulted for advice and treatment. Eliminate or decrease use of products that impair circulation. Avoid salty foods and dairy products before air travel.  Do not read while traveling if you are subject to motion sickness, and do not sit in a seat facing backward. Do not watch or talk to another traveler who is having motion sickness. 

 

Take one of the varieties of motion sickness medicines before your travel begins, as recommended by your physician. Generally, small frequent meals are recommended for individuals prone to motion sickness. Anxiety about motion sickness before a trip can be a real factor in both bringing on an attack and its severity. 

 

Unfortunately, unlike other sicknesses, there are no annual shots to improve immunity to motion sickness. Prevention is best accomplished by seeking areas of lesser movement in an interior location of a large ship or by facing forward and looking outside a ship or plane.  Preventing motion sickness is easier than treating it once it has begun. In the night, or in a ship without windows, it is helpful to simply close one's eyes, or if possible, take a nap. 

 

 

 

When taking a boat ride or cruise, motion sickness is more common when the person is below deck without access to a view of the water. 

 

 

 

Do not let the discomfort of motion sickness disrupt your travel plans. With a few simple steps, you may be able to prevent motion sickness from developing in the first place or help quell your queasiness once it's begun. Remember, the first step to controlling motion sickness is to realize what is wrong with you and deal with that, not concentrate on how sick you may be feeling. 

 

 

Next, Discover What Type of Electrical Outlets Your Ship Has?

 

 

The Captain

Toll free 1-877-22-SHIPS

www.theLuxuryShips.com

(CDC) Center for Disease Control & Prevention estimates, on land,

those 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis are due to Norovirus

infection, and it is now thought that at least 50% of all food

borne outbreaks of gastroenteritis can be attributed to

Noroviruses. In 2007, the CDC documented 15 ships with the

Norovirus out break.

 

The documented cases on cruise ships are an extremely small number

of infections compared to the amount of passengers that traveled in

2007. There were approximately 12.62 million cruise guests in 2007

 

The fact is, cruise ships have an excellent reputation for

preventing the Norwalk and other viruses. This is partially due to

the CDC’s enforcement of cruise line operational guidelines and

review plans. 

 

The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) at the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention assists the cruise ship industry to

prevent and control the introduction, transmission, and spread of

gastrointestinal illnesses (GI) on cruise ships. The VSP conducts

on-site cruise ship inspections on all new built ships and

renovations.

 

Ships that have a foreign itinerary that call on a U.S. port are

subject to two unannounced ship inspections every year by the VSP.

All the cruise ships must meet or exceed the criteria established

by the VSP and score at least an 86 or above. To review scores of

ships you can view them at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/.

 

Cruise lines are very pro-active in the prevention of viruses

on-board. They are very concerned with the cruise guests’ experience

and work hard to prevent the Norovirus.

 

 

 

Next, Is Motion Sickness You #1 Cruise Concern?

 

 

the Captain

Toll free 1-877-22-SHIPS

www.theLuxuryShips.com

 

Fact, North America Cruise Lines have maintained the best safety

record in the travel industry. Cruise Lines International

Association states that approximately 51 million people have

cruised at least once.

 

Cruise ship safety can also relate to simply being smart while

traveling. In light of recent heightened media coverage on cruise

ship safety and security, I wanted to provide you with information

so that if you do hear concerns regarding safety and security, you

can understand cruise safety and security confidently. 

 

Cruise ships are like small cities, some carrying thousands of

passengers, and while most of them are probably just out for a good

time as you are, it only takes one bad apple to ruin your trip.

Here are some practical cruise safety tips to help you ensure a

safe, enjoyable and memorable cruise.

 

 

 

In general, cruise ship safety is not that big of a problem.

Despite the fact that cruise ship safety is good, you should still

take precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your

belongings. Many individuals believe that cruise ship safety

should begin once they board the ship; however, it should begin

well in advance. The highest priority of the cruise industry is the

safety and security of its passengers and crew. Ship board fire

safety continues to be a primary concern. 

 

Cruise ship executives say crime victims are only a tiny fraction

of the millions of people who board cruise ships in the United

States each year. Other safety issues on a cruise relate directly

to food and alcohol consumption on-board the cruise ship and when

stopping at ports. Safety concerns aboard cruise ships have

recently escalated to Congress, where cruise ship victims are

calling for the government to force the industry to tighten their

security measures. 

 

You should take all the precautions on a cruise ship that you would

in any urban environment. Important improvements for passenger

safety (some obvious, some not so obvious) are constantly

occurring. One should also understand that if a cruise ship embarks

or disembarks passengers in a US port, that vessel, it's passengers

and its crew, are subject to both rigid safety standards and

Federal Criminal Statutes, regardless of wherever they may be

flagged (and regardless of what you may have read or heard

elsewhere). 

 

In the case of heavy weather, large passenger ships

will often temporarily restrict passenger access to outside exposed

deck areas until the weather clears. 

 

 

 

Cruise lines employ security experts and advisor's that train

on-board personnel in security procedures. Sexual assault is the

most common crime committed on cruise ships. Ships are subject to

unannounced inspections by CDC officials, concentrating on fresh

and drinking water, spa and pool systems, food storage, preparation

and service areas, general hygiene, and waste management equipment

and facilities. Ships are also periodically rated through the

CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) and must meet industry

standards. 

 

Cruise operators: Say the level of serious crime is lower than it

is on land and that their ships are guarded by experienced security

staffs with training in criminal investigation.

 

 

Safety Equipment

 

The average cruise ship has more than 4,000 smoke detectors; more

than 500 fire extinguishers; more than 6 miles of fire fighting

hose; 5,000 sprinkler heads, and 400 fire stations or hydrants

 

In addition, the average cruise ship has more than 170 fully

trained fire-fighting personnel, and many with advanced

firefighting training. 

 

Ships are designed so that the normal person would have to work

very hard to be injured. Ships have "safety officers" in uniform to

make sure protocol is followed. Safety experts are primarily

concerned with three issues: fire protection, particularly in the

big atrium's of new cruise ships, the ability of crew members in

charge of safety to give instructions in a language that passengers

understand, and the aging of the world fleet of cruise ships. 

 

In fact, the Coast Guard gives four inspections a year to ships

that dock in the United States, but when the vessel is registered

in another country, the Coast Guard only makes sure that the ship

provides whatever is required by international Safety of Life at

Sea regulations, such as: twice as many lifeboat seats as potential

passengers, and life jackets for 125 percent of capacity, and that

the equipment is in good condition. 

 

All vessels are subject to the rules established under the

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, which are

upheld through inspections and drills authorized by the countries

that register the ships and the countries where ships call, the

"port states".

 

Heat and smoke detection systems presently on board passenger ships

sound an alarm on the navigation bridge or the central control

station, whereupon control center personnel activate the general

alarm.

 

 

 

On-board Security on a cruise ship is comparable to a secure

building with a 24-hour security guard. Heightened security

measures are standard for cruise ships today and include passenger

screening procedures similar to those found in the U.S. Each

cruise ship has a dedicated security officer and staff whose sole

function is the security of its passengers and crew.

 

 

 

Your first step to a safe cruise is to put down your rum punch and

LISTEN to the instructions. Good common sense tips for a cruise

ship include not walking down dark hallways, walking away from

disagreements or fights, not inviting someone into your room that

you don't know, and not giving out your personal information to

strangers.

 

If traveling with young children be sure to make them aware of the

importance of not running on a cruise ship in order to increase

cruise ship safety.  

 

If you're planning a cruise vacation, remember that you can

minimize your risk of catching Norwalk virus and other contagious

illnesses on-board the ship by using handy wipes. In all

seriousness, many people fall from cruise ships because they're

trying to climb on a railing (such as to get from one balcony to

another), which is not a wise decision.

 

 

 

Cruises are generally safe and offer an appealing form of vacation

for many--from families to singles to the retired. According to FBI

statistics, cruise ships are safer than virtually anywhere in the

U.S. even most home towns. A simple road trip in the U.S. carriers

greater risks. Your risk is hundreds or thousands of times greater

of death or injury due to a car accident than taking a cruise

vacation.

 

The fact is that cruise ship accidents are few and far between. 

Most may involve excess alcohol consumption or neglect of common

sense safety precautions. 

 

 

Next, What You Need to Know About Cruise Ship Sanitation

 

 

 

The Captain

Toll free 1-877-22-SHIPS