This Common Cruise Behavior Is More Dangerous Than It Sounds

For many people, a cruise is the ultimate vacation. You have a huge ship to explore full of every amenity possible, and tons of new people to meet. Plus, your "hotel" takes you from one fabulous location to another without you having to drive at all. It can be the perfect place to let your hair down and completely forget the rest of the world for a while. And hey, if that person you don't want to hear from emails or texts you, you can always blame your lack of response on Wi-Fi issues. However, one very common indulgence can spell disaster for you if you're not careful, and that's drinking too much alcohol. 

That's probably the last thing you're worrying about. After all, why not day drink when you're not going near a car and you have no place you have to be? In fact, many cruisers will purchase a drink package (which might not be worth it in the first place) so they don't have to worry about paying every time they want another cocktail. In addition, some cruise lines allow you to take alcohol like champagne in specific quantities onto the ship. Even if you don't have a drink package or your own bubbly, some bars are open late, and there are usually plenty of them. All of this, plus the vacation mindset, means that you may end up drinking more than usual. In fact, Cruiseline reported in 2016 that cruise ship passengers drink an average of 4.7 alcoholic drinks per day. However, it can be a dangerous thing to do, both on land and on a ship. Drinking too much can lead to slips and falls, including ones where people tumble off the ship and into the sea. 

There is nothing wrong with toasting your vacation with a few drinks. However, overindulgence can lead to altered judgement, as well as impaired balance. Ross Klein, an expert on the international cruise industry and social work professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada told Business Insider in 2022, "Frequently, [overboard accidents] involve intoxication one way or another. A common thread would be that the person who has gone overboard is inebriated." In 2023, The Washington Post reported that alcohol was involved in up to 60% of cases where people fell overboard.

The dangers of alcohol in large amounts isn't a surprise, but you may not realize how bad it can get. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), excessive drinking can lead to things like falls, drownings, overdoses, and more. Long term, it can increase your risk for cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, heart and liver diseases, digestive problems, and mental health issues. In addition, it can cause dehydration, particularly if you're drinking while sitting in the sun or in a warm environment (like a ship deck with a pool), and you may not realize it's happening. This dehydration can also make the motion sickness that is common on ships worse. Alcohol can also make your skin burn faster in the sun, and you might not remember to reapply sunscreen. Lastly, it can also impact your judgement.

So, if you're going to indulge, consider what your limit is in everyday life before you purchase a drink package. You may also want to see if it includes non-alcoholic cocktails, like Celebrity Cruise Line's celebrity-influenced mocktail menu. Also, make sure you're drinking enough water or sports drinks during the day, and eat something before you indulge. You should enjoy your cruise, but make sure to do it safely.