Death at sea: This is how cruise ships deal with deaths!

Death at sea: This is how cruise ships deal with deaths!

Neufundland, Kanada - The cruise industry has grown steadily in recent years and attracts millions of travelers every year. However, the dark side of this form of travel is often hidden, in particular the topic of deaths on board. It is estimated that between 200 and 250 passengers die on cruise ships every year, a fact that is rarely spoken about. The most common causes of these deaths are heart attacks and falls that occur particularly among older guests, since many cruise providers such as AIDA have increased pensioners on board in the spring and autumn months. In the summer months, on the other hand, families with children mainly travel, which lowers the risk of death, reports the Schwäbische .

The shipping companies revealed hardly any information about the exact numbers and circumstances of the deaths. A shocking rumor says that AIDA calculates the average age of the guests to plan the required number of coffins on board. This is supported by the discretion with which the shipping companies deal with such incidents. AIDA fleet, which started operating in 1999, leads "Body Bags" to the storage of deceased in cooling cells near the infirmary. Three to four cold rooms are regularly kept ready for each trip.

dealing with deaths

Dealing with deaths on board is generally discreetly designed by the crew. The staff often uses code words to avoid sensitive topics and to secure blocked areas of avoiding events. According to the merkur , shipping companies hardly express themselves, which makes the topic a taboo. When a death occurs, the deceased is usually brought to the next port and the local authorities are informed. It becomes particularly delicate when there are doubts about a natural cause of death, because then the local authorities must be alerted in the next port.

Medical care on board corresponds to high standards and ship doctors are bound to international regulations. Nevertheless, discretion in dealing with deaths is visible. AIDA transports around 1.5 million passengers annually, with the proportion of deaths remain low in percentage. Nevertheless, the topic remains sensitive in the industry, since it is shown by the annual booking figures over two million Germans that many other guests are considering a cruise.

a tragic individual case

A particularly tragic incident that drew attention to the problems of cruise shipping was the disappearance of Daniel Küblböck in September 2018. The singer drove to New York with the Aidaluna and noticed his conspicuous behavior, which is why it was moved to an emergency cabin. After being declared dead on September 9, 2018 at 8:55 a.m., his body remains unexpected.

In the context of this multifaceted discussion about security and dealing with deaths on board, it becomes clear that despite high standards and growing interest, many aspects remain in the dark. The industry faces the challenge of creating openness and increasing mutual responsibility for the well -being of the guests during their trips.