Cruise secrets: Keep an eye out for this one person on a ship – they’re not who you think

However, the Kinser also warned passengers of the importance of these drills. “In all seriousness, these emergency boat drills could save your life,” he said.

On a similar note, cruise passengers are also urged to display good hygiene in a bid to prevent the spread of illness. 

One disease of great concern on a cruise is norovirus – also known as the winter vomiting bug (although it can strike any time of year). Norovirus causes projectile vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches and stomach cramps.

To prevent such illness spreading it’s vital passengers and crew wash their hands often – especially after going to the toilet – and use sanitising gels before entering dining areas.

Cruise ship doctor Ben MacFarlane recalled in his book Cruise Ship SOS what happened when they suspected “the dreaded noro.” 

“If there’s any risk that they’ve snuck in from land then we pretty much go onto autopilot,” he wrote. “We’ve been rehearsing our protocols and procedures every few weeks. If the alert levels rise too far we pretty much lock the ship down.”

“At Code Red almost every member of the 1,000 strong crew will play some part in the fight-back procedure, even if it’s only washing their hands a few more times every hour,” he said.