Are There Lifeguards Onboard on Cruise Ships?

When planning a cruise vacation, safety is a top priority for many passengers, especially families with young children. One of the main attractions on cruises for children is the pools. But did you know that not every cruise has lifeguards on duty?

Before selecting your cruise, you should be aware of the safety measures in place, such as whether the cruise has lifeguards.

Do Cruise Ships Have Lifeguards?

The presence of lifeguards on cruise ships varies by cruise line. Initially, most cruise ships didn’t employ lifeguards and instead relied on passengers to look out for their own safety. However, this has been changing in recent years, with several major cruise lines hiring full-time lifeguards to keep their passengers safe.

Cruise Lines with Lifeguards

Three of the big cruise lines with lifeguards on duty are:

• Disney Cruise Line – Disney was one of the first major cruise lines to add lifeguards in 2013. Since Disney cruises are family-friendly, they have lifeguards present at all family pools during operating hours.
• Royal Caribbean International – In 2017, Royal Caribbean added lifeguards trained in CPR and other lifesaving techniques to all pools onboard its ships.
• Norwegian Cruise Line – Lifeguards became standard at all family pools on Norwegian Cruise Line ships in 2018.

Cruise Lines Without Lifeguards

Not every cruise line hires full-time lifeguards for its pools. These cruises often rely on rules posted near the pools and, in some cases, part-time lifeguards. Major cruises without full-time lifeguards include:

• Carnival Cruise Line – Carnival does not employ lifeguards for its pools. Instead, passengers are responsible for their own safety and must adhere to the posted safety rules.
• MSC Cruises – MSC Cruises also does not have lifeguards onboard and emphasizes parental supervision and personal vigilance when using the pool areas.

Safety Measures on Pool Decks

While not every cruise line employs lifeguards, they all implement other poolside safety measures, including:

• Signage – Cruises typically post signs around pool areas that indicate the pool’s depth, rules, and safety instructions.
• Safety Equipment – Life jackets and rescue equipment are available for emergency use.
• Crew Training – Crew members are trained in basic first aid techniques and emergency response procedures to assist passengers in need.
• Supervision Requirements – Many cruise lines require children under a certain age to have adult supervision at all times while in pool areas.

Implications of Not Having Lifeguards

The absence of lifeguards can have significant implications for passenger safety. Without lifeguards, the responsibility for monitoring children and inexperienced swimmers often falls on the passengers.

Crew members may assist in enforcing pool rules, but they have other duties, so they can’t always be watching the pools. Not all crew members may have the necessary training should a passenger require rescue or first aid.

Some of the potential risks of having no lifeguard on duty include:

• Drowning – Unsupervised children, weak swimmers, or intoxicated passengers are at higher risk of drowning without the presence of lifeguards. It can be difficult for those without the proper training to spot the signs of drowning and take action before the passenger suffers injury.
• Poolside Injuries – Slip-and-fall accidents, diving injuries, and other pool-related injuries are more likely to occur without dedicated lifeguard supervision. When these injuries occur, and a lifeguard is on duty, they can quickly provide first aid and notify the medical team if needed.

If a cruise does not have lifeguards and you get hurt in a pool, you could argue that its lack of lifeguards counts as negligence. Pools are known hotspots for injury, so cruises should take all reasonable precautions, including hiring lifeguards, to keep their passengers safe.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Passengers can seek compensation through a personal injury claim if injured at a cruise ship pool. A personal injury attorney can assist you with your compensation claim in the following ways:

• Investigating Your Injury – Your attorney will investigate the incident that led to your injury and determine the identity of the at-fault parties.
• Gathering Evidence – Your attorney will gather evidence supporting your claim. This evidence may include eyewitness statements, expert testimony, video recordings of the incident, location photographs, and medical records showing the extent of your injuries.
• Calculating Your Damages – Your attorney will use your medical bills, future expected treatment, lost wages, and other factors to calculate your damages. Your damages are the amount of compensation you’re seeking through your lawsuit.
• Filing Your Claim – Your attorney will assist you with filing your claim within the statute of limitations.
• Negotiating on Your Behalf – Your attorney will attempt to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or the cruise line’s attorneys on your behalf before your case goes to trial.
• Representing You at Trial – If you can’t agree on a fair settlement with the other party, your attorney will represent you at trial with the evidence they collected and seek the maximum compensation for your injuries based on the damages previously calculated.

Cruise Ship Swimming Pool Accident Attorney

While some cruise lines have taken steps to increase pool safety by employing lifeguards, this is still not mandated throughout the industry. You may have a personal injury claim if you suffered an injury in a cruise ship pool, regardless of whether a lifeguard was present.

Contact Louis A. Vucci P.A. at (786) 375-0344 or contact us online for a free consultation about your case with an experienced cruise ship accident attorney. We’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal options.