Cruise secrets: Ex crew member reveals terrifying ‘worst-case scenario’ – are you at risk?

“The 1991 sinking of the cruise ship Oceanos was anything but ideal,” explained Herring. “A leak in the engine room caused the ship to lose power, and the water continued to rise until it became unstoppable.

“Once the crew released the ship could not be saved, they fled in panic. The captain was one of the first people to leave the ship, basically leaving the passengers to fend for themselves.

“A couple of onboard entertainers actually organised the rescue operation which made them the last to leave the ship.”

Herring continued: “It took eighteen hours for the Oceanos to sink, and the last people on board were lifted off by helicopter just minutes before it went down.”

The captain and crew were later convicted of negligence by a Greek board of inquiry for fleeing the ship without helping the passengers.

Another – and more likely – danger onboard a cruise ship is a fire, Herring also explained in his book.  “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 onboard cruise ships, the former officer explained.