Festival-goers have been busy booking tickets to the upcoming Rock Boat, an annual themed โfloating music festivalโ aboard a Norwegian cruise ship. Due to set sail this November, the already sold-out Rock Boat will feature artists like Switchfoot, American Authors, and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, and set sail from Miami to locations in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. If youโll be attending the Rock Boat or another upcoming cruise festival, itโs important to prioritize safety and minimize risk in order to enjoy yourself to the fullest.
Improve your water confidence
Drowning is the third leading cause of injury and death worldwide. Strengthening your swimming skills is, therefore, the easiest way to improve your safety and water confidence, and reduce your risk of injury and fatality while cruising. Swimming in the ocean notably comes with more challenges than taking a dip in your shipโs pool. In the ocean, you have waves, tides and currents to content with. Therefore, you need to learn what to do if you become caught in a rip current, as well as how the cold water can impact your swimming ability. You should also be able to tread water, float, and swim for a minimum of 25 yards.
Pay attention to ship announcements
The captain and senior crew will make announcements everyday throughout the festival. Although you may not find all these announcements important, it can be valuable to pay attention to them. Youโll find they share useful information about the upcoming dayโs events, as well as the sea state, weather conditions, and ship movement. These announcements wonโt normally play directly into your cabin โ unless thereโs an emergency. So if you do hear any announcements on your cabin speakers, be sure to listen up. Additionally, upon first boarding the ship, youโll need to participate in a muster drill. Here, youโll be provided with key information, such as steps to take in an emergency, where to find the muster station, and how to put on a life jacket properly.
Drink responsibly
Most injuries that happen aboard cruise ships are due to alcohol. Specifically, 66% of men and 32% of women say the injuries they sustained while cruising were related to alcohol. Alcohol changes your thinking, perception, judgment, and behavior. Itโs therefore important to drink responsibly and be mindful of your limits. Although youโll find an abundance of alcohol available onboard, donโt get carried away, and be aware of how much youโre drinking. Never accept drinks from strangers; make sure you know where your drinkโs come from and whoโs bought it. Donโt give anyone the opportunity to spike your drink: hold onto it and finish it quickly. Itโs also important not to agree to any strangers walking you back to your cabin if youโre drunk.
Cruise festivals are a unique and unforgettable experience for festival lovers. By continually prioritizing your health and safety and maintaining awareness, youโll be sure to have an amazing time at your festival.