Cruise: Former ship officer reveals ‘huge’ terrifying danger at sea – are you at risk?

The danger of a wave depends on where it strikes the boat, as well as how large the ship is.

Another grave danger on board a ship is the chance of a fire breaking out on a cruise ship.

“The most dangerous and likely thing to go wrong is an onboard fire,” Herring wrote. 

However, cruisers do need to worry too much as he adds “major incidents are extremely rare.”

Herring said: “Ships employ dedicated firemen, who, in the event of an onboard fire, don full protective clothing complete with masks and air tanks.”

Restrictions and precautions are also in place on board cruise ships, the former officer explained. “Laundry areas were the only places where passenger clothing irons were permitted. 

“With tile floors and metal walls, the laundry areas were less combustible than the cabins which had carpet, drapes, and bedding. Candles were strictly forbidden because an open flame was an active fire waiting to spread. If the ship listed, the candles could fall over or something could fall into it.”