Great Lakes Cruises – Are Great Lakes Passenger Ships Safe?

Freighter Travel

Great Lakes Cruise ships are required to meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations for safety. The Coast Guard is the government agency that polices the waterways and oversees operations of commercial and civilian vessels on the Lakes. Ships of all sizes are required to have functional equipment and adequate lifesaving gear. In addition, the Coast Guard maintains a regular schedule of inspection for these vessels to make certain that the ships continue to meet the requirements.

While any cruise or other trip offers some risk, Great Lakes cruises provide protection from risks that you might run into on an ocean cruise. If you watched the movie Titanic and it left you with a nagging fear that your cruise ship might strike an iceberg, you can relax. There are no real icebergs in the Lakes and while these lakes do freeze over in the winter, cruise ships generally only run in months when the waters are open.

Another common fear for cruise passengers are hurricanes and this again is something that doesn’t happen in the Lakes region. While there are storms and they can occasionally be violent, they are nothing compared to a hurricane at sea. Great Lakes Cruise ships are also often in sight of shore, which tends to give you a great feeling of security.

We all know that sooner or later, there will be a successful pirate attack on a cruise ship. They have tried before and they will try again. When you plan your cruise, you need to consider the safety that the Lakes provide. There are no pirates on the Lakes.

Finally, many people ask “what if I get sick?” Again, Great Lakes Cruise ships are usually close to shore and there are many fine medical facilities in both the U.S. and Canada with state-of-the-art equipment and well trained staff that are accessible. Also, major cities like Toronto, Duluth, Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee are never far away.

William G. Oatiz is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an expert on Great Lakes cruises and vacations. Great Lakes cruises offer an opportunity unrivaled by any other other cruise tour. Sail the freshwater seas that lie between the U.S. and Canada. Enjoy a vacation unlike any other. For more information, please visit the blog at Great Lakes cruises http://www.greatlakescruiseguide.com

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