Due to the lack of gaming laws in international waters, cruise ships are often a popular location for high stakes casinos. Some ships are effectively floating casinos, offering gambling cruises which can last anything from a few hours to a matter of weeks. The fact that players are contained at sea, these casinos are relatively secure, but not without risk. If you're lucky enough to be on a winning streak, be sure to cash in a proportion of your chips every now and then and place them in the onboard safe. When you have a big win, resist the urge to celebrate there and then, and ask a member of ship security to escort you to the safe. For the same reason, don't flash your money about or buy huge rounds of ostentatious drinks after a big win ? just keep your celebrations as low-key as you can muster.



While it may seem that there are far fewer crew members than there are passengers, the reality may well be the reverse, as the majority of crew members work out of sight of the passengers and are forbidden from talking to the passengers. The more senior members of the crew will be looking out for your safety, but they cannot look out for everyone at once. If you see something suspicious, inform a senior member of staff. Your vigilance will be appreciated, as you may be preventing something bad from happening on the boat.

When you roll into shore, keep your wits about you. The cruise operators organise shore trips as they can be money spinners for them, and one of the advantages of them is that you get some guarantees of safety and quality. If you choose to go exploring on your own, you'll enjoy more freedom and save a pile of money, but you also need to stay that much more alert if you go down this route. Agree tariffs with taxi drivers in advance, or you could face having to pay an astronomical fare.

Of course, the incidence of crime on your average cruise ship is far lower than in most city centres, and you are probably safer on a cruise ship than you are almost anywhere else. In fact, it is this very safety that makes them dangerous, as passengers can be lulled into a false sense of security.