Following the recent tragedy aboard the Carnival Victory, many people have begun to debate whether cruise ships should be employing lifeguards for onboard pools. While drownings onboard cruise ships are already very rare, this situation has launched a debate on the role of lifeguards aboard cruise ships.
Many have argued that cruise should not employ lifeguards, due to the increased labor costs and the chance that it may gives parents a false sense of safety, giving some parents the opportunity to pass the responsibility of watching their kids to the lifeguards. While it is wrong to assume that a parent would purposely not watch over the children, it is a serious possibility to be considered when discussed in this matter. The addition of lifeguards onboard ships would also increase labor costs for the cruise lines, which could also raise fares for cruise passengers.
On the contrary, advocates for lifeguards onboard argue that the presence of lifeguards would substantially increase the chance of a quicker response or a better prevention of drownings onboard ship’s pools.
While the recent drowning onboard the Carnival Victory is currently under investigation, it is not known whether the presence of a lifeguard could have prevented this terrible situation.
What are your thoughts on this situation. Should cruise lines begin to employ lifeguards or would it not make a substantial difference? Please vote in our poll below and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
3 replies on “Should Cruise Ships Employ Lifeguards?”
Parents who bring children on any vacation should be responsible for their children. On a cruise ship there are many children activities that are sponsored with adults. A small child should not be in a pool even with a life guard on duty without an adult family member.
Having Lifeguards implies that they are taking FULL RESPONSIBILITY and they cannot possibility do that! PARENTS HAVE to be responsible for their children, SOME parents send their children and DO NOT EVEN go with them as it is! IF their were life guards it would be even worse. LIFE GUARDS WOULD BE A MISTAKE.
IF you have a small child, or any aged person that cannot swim you (or the responsible party) MUST be IN the pool with them!!!
Parents should be responsible. stop reading or what ever they are doing to watch you child. put down that drink and watch your child/children. I do not want to watch you child for you I am on vacation. its time parents take responsibleity. They expect every one to take care of thier kids.