River Cruise Safety in 2022
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist
There is a lot of negative news lately about travel to Europe. First it was COVID for the last 2 years; now inflation worries are here; and if it was not enough, there is a war in Ukraine.
Anne suggested I write about this topic, as she feels it is easy to let the headlines obscure the facts.
I guess, although alarming to me, especially the brutality of the war in Ukraine, none of these are showstoppers
So, let’s explore together and learn about river cruise safety and my thoughts about how best to protect yourself from these dangers and perceived dangers.
Overview
We have been on 21 river cruises in Europe and will go back again in October to take our 22nd cruise. We cruised in Europe in August 2021 and Egypt in December 2021.
There are many reasons why we like to river cruise so much, but one key reason is that it is a safe trip, and that helps make it a great vacation for most folks.
We would never consider cancelling our trip due to the current world situation in Europe, because we have so much confidence we will be safe. None of the river cruise companies we recommend would put anyone intentionally in harm’s way—they would be out of business quickly and sued for million of dollars for negligence.
As a retired Army Officer, I can assure you I never would put myself in danger anyway just to have a vacation, or try to sell one to others just to make some money. I do, however, understand concerns in today’s world.
We have travelled during many periods of unrest or tension in Europe and always felt safe if we take simple steps to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Please consider these items before you decide that travel to Europe or taking a river cruise in Europe is dangerous:
Risk
No one can promise you will be safe anywhere in the world, including where you live today in the US. Despite the headlines, you are safer travelling to Europe than the risks you face in daily life. From 2001-2013, according to the US State Department, 350 US citizens have been killed overseas.
In that same time in the US (2001-2013), according to the Center for Disease Control, 406,496 people were killed by firearms and again from 2001-2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 520,000 people died in auto accident. Perception of danger overseas is not the reality.
Terrorism Aims
Terrorists want to spread their political agenda by fear and intimidation. They want the 24-hour coverage of the news channels to show how horrible they are and that they disregard human life. Terrorism is random and this increases fear.
The terrorists win if we stop traveling. Do not worry constantly, just use good common sense to limit chances you will be harmed.
Tips to Protect Yourself in Europe
1) Buy Travel Insurance
There are many ways travel insurance can add a level of protection to safeguard your trip. Travel insurance can cover trip cancellation for qualified reasons (you never go on the trip) and trip interruption for qualified reasons (you go but do not complete the entire trip); medical problems, evacuation home or to a hospital, lost or delayed baggage and flight insurance.
Not all policies cover all the above situations, especially trip cancellation coverage and the costly cancel for any reason policies. Most policies we recommend are primary coverage—that means they pay first regardless of other coverage.
One of the best features of travel insurance, is an emergency contact center, manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist in an emergency. Just so you know, we never travel without travel insurance. We always offer travel insurance, but you are not required to buy (disclaimer, we are paid a commission on these products, but the real reason we recommend travel insurance is that we want you to consider your personal risk and situation).
We have a professional responsibility to insure you are properly informed. We can help guide you through the process, but we will never promise coverage for a specific situation —this is something you should discuss with the insurance company directly.
Travel insurance just adds peace of mind, in my opinion. There are also policies that provide emergency evacuation that are not a medical necessity.
COVID insurance is another complete situation, and we say you must read the policy directly and ask a lot of questions of the provider.
2) Watch the News on TV
Just keeping up with world events can help you recognize potential danger areas to avoid. CNN International and BBC Worldwide are usually available in most places we have stayed and are available on most river cruise ships
The war in Ukraine should not change anything in Europe River cruising except for any port or cruise in Russia or sailing in the Black Sea.
A quick geography lesson here—it may look like just an inch on a map of Europe from the conflict, but the borders are over a hundred to two hundred miles away from the closest Ukrainian border and even further, when you realize all the fighting is in the Eastern part of the country.
3) Realize that some venues make be directed to be closed or a ship might make a change in port stops or tours.
For your protection, you will often see more police at public transportation areas and there may be more security screening to enter some areas, museums, or other attractions. We have experienced all of these and in most cases, it was totally reassuring, and the delays were minimal. Just be flexible and all will be all right.
This happened several times due to changing country regulations for COVID. Just follow the rules, get vaccinated and boosted, fill out the health questionnaires, wear a mask if required and get tested also if required.
4) Enjoy your trip but be aware of your surroundings
This is the commonsense rule. We always expect to have fun but are aware—if something just does not seem right, use caution.
5) If traveling alone, make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected back
While we recommend traveling with someone or in a group, if you are travelling alone, let the hotel front desk or the river cruise ship reception know if you are going out on your own. It just adds another level of security.
6) Register with the State Department
The US State Department has a Safe Traveler Enrollment Program. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
It allows US citizens to sign up to receive alerts from the US State Department, allows the US Embassy a way to contact you if needed and provides a way family or friends can contact you in an emergency.
Here is the link to their website to register https://step.state.gov/step/
7) Carry some items with you to help you be prepared if an emergency arises.
We always carry with us contact info for the hotel we are staying at or the emergency contact info for the river cruise ship, a paper copy of our passports, some local cash, and a credit card. We also have our cell phones (with a photo of passports, COVID vaccination cards and a backup battery charger (usually two as “Always Prepared Anne” has a back up for a back up with her).
How River Cruise Companies Help Ensure Your Safety
River cruise lines train their crew members to ensure your safety. The sailing crew members (usually the Captain, First Officer, Engineer, and deck hands) are well experienced—most have been sailing for years and the know and avoid dangers that could occur on your river cruise.
There is always a safety briefing on each river cruise prior to sailing.
Captain Danny giving his safety briefing. Robert, holding the paddle is the rally point leader on the top deck for assembly for the 300 level cabins during an emergency.
Life jackets are on the top deck. During the safety briefing, there is always a demonstration on how to properly put on and wear this safety item.
The cruise director and local guides also add a level of security—they know about potential problems and can ensure guests do not venture into dangerous areas. The cruise lines also monitor weather conditions and river levels to ensure safety.
Cruise manager, Dejan, adds facts about passenger safety.
The ships all have great safety features, such as radar to help avoid other traffic on the rivers. There is a 24-hour guard on each ship and outside entrances are locked during nighttime hours and no is granted access without proper ID
When each guest leaves the river boat, they are required to take a card with emergency phone numbers. This also allows the crew to know if you did not re-board prior to the departure of the ship.
These are just a few of the reasons we like river cruising so much—they are a safe way to travel.
Our Final Thoughts
One final thought here—along with these tips, consider how much return to travel means for Europe. 2 years without full ships, an 18 month pause of river cruising, has placed severe financial strain on the workers.
Don’t feel guilty because you have so much—share it with the workers whose livelihoods depend on you traveling—thank them, tip them well and realize you are helping us all oppose brutality and uphold democratic ideals.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.
When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 50 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
