Learning Objectives

By the end of the chapter the reader should be able to:

• Appreciate the range of issues that can affect health, safety, and security for people on cruise ships

• Appreciate the implications and outline components of the US Public Health Service vessel sanitation program (VSP) operated by the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC)

• Understand aspects of food hygiene that have importance for cruise ship operators

• Reflect on the regulatory framework and the implications for cruise operators in relation to port health authorities

• Consider the implications of the introduction of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

• Understand the issues relating to providing a service to customers who have special needs

The image of cruising reflects what many would perceive as a leisure focused utopian dream. However, as with most travel, there are distinct and diverse perils that can exist and that demand attention. This chapter is designed to help the reader appreciate the range of issues that can potentially affect health, safety, and security for people on cruise ships. These complex subjects pose serious challenges for society, and the ramifications for many industries involved in travel, tourism, and leisure have been severe. In the first instance, medical cases concerning the health of passengers are highly visible and attract widespread media attention. The norovirus, also referred to as the Norwalklike virus, can be a concern, and organizations such as US Port Health have been active in working with the cruise industry and other industries to...