Written by Bailey Coffman // Graphic by Ben Evans
A cruise, for most, might seem like the ideal vacation for those who seek relaxation and adventure without having to worry about planning an itinerary themselves. Although cruises have much to offer, recent reports of safety incidents concerning female travelers on cruise ships have cast a shadow on the allure of taking a cruise vacation, prompting a call for a reassessment of safety measures and protocols among cruise personnel and vacationers.
In the wake of these concerns, several Harding students went on a cruise for spring break. Senior Megan Prater reflected on her vacation.
“I definitely had my reservations just because of some things I had seen in the news recently, but I honestly felt super safe on the boat just because of the number of crew members around at all times and the amount of cameras that I saw,” Prater said. “We also chose to do excursions that were recommended through the cruise lines, so we didn’t deviate from what they recommended.”
Senior Avery Land expressed similar feelings.
“We went to Costa Maya and Cozumel and felt extremely safe at both,” Land said. “In Costa Maya we went biking and kayaking, which allowed us to see so much. In Cozumel we went to a resort where we had access to the beach and a pool. I never felt unsafe in either location, but we were never out really on our own.”
Senior Ellery Gardner, also on the trip, acknowledged awareness of recent safety concerns while also emphasizing the security measures in place during the trip.
“The staff were extremely friendly and intentional, and we made some great connections with the other passengers.” Gardner said. “We did hear about the events of the woman going to the Bahamas getting abused, but my friends and I also stayed aware of our surroundings.”
The entire group of spring breakers expressed that the trip was well worth the slight risk.
“It was pretty cost-effective just for what we got food-wise, but I would say that it’s really important to go with a group of people, especially if you’re a girl,” Prater said.
Gardner said the decision to go on a cruise was not only practical financially but was also the perfect destination for anyone seeking a vacation, no matter their age or family status.
“There was so much to do on the boat, and it was nice because everything was already planned out for us … We just got to choose what we wanted to go to,” Gardner said. “The boat was also very family-friendly, so it was the type of vacation I would feel safe bringing young children to. I would recommend it to anyone, but especially college students who want to have a fun and relaxing time [and] go out of the country but also not break the bank.”
