I Would Bet $1 Million You're Breaking This Cruise Rule Every Time You Sail in the Caribbean

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one breaking this rule.

©Disney

Sailing with the Disney Cruise Line and other cruise lines can be tons of fun, but these kinds of vacations don’t come without a specific set of rules. We get it, going on an ocean voyage doesn’t come without an inherent set of risks, creating the need for some very strict rules and regulations. You’re quite literally in a floating vessel in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an environment we’re still very much learning about. However, there’s one cruise rule that we still struggle to wrap our brains around.

Before you board your ship, you’ll need to view a safety briefing that will go over safety protocols in the unlikely case of an emergency. Most of the instructions are rooted in logic and common sense, but there’s one in particular that has us scratching our heads.

Disney Wish at Castaway Cay

You are told in every cruise safety briefing to go back to your stateroom and “dress in warm clothing” before going to your muster station — an assembly area where you’ll gather during an emergency. There’s a major problem with this rule, though. No one is packing warm clothing for a Caribbean cruise.

Disney Magic Cruise Ship

Sure, you might have some heavier articles of clothing for anticipated chilly nights or fine dining experiences, but, for the most part, you should be packing light in anticipation of sweaty, sticky, and damp weather. Throw in the fact that you might be planning on spending a good amount of time swimming in pools or the ocean, and it’s hardly likely you’ll be packing a winter coat.

Disney Dream

We understand the rule in its purest form. If you ever wondered why pirates are depicted in media often wearing large coats even though they sailed in the Caribbean, there are actual scientific reasons for this. In the case of an emergency, it’s much better to be wearing heavy, warmer clothing.

You can protect yourself against sunburns, and even in warm water, hypothermia is a very real threat. Warm clothes help conserve body heat, and your chances of survival dramatically increase. Yes, even in the warm waters of the Caribbean, hypothermia is a very real threat, especially when the sun goes down. Being immersed in water (regardless of temperature) for an extended period of time can slowly drain body heat, which is why cruise lines want you to layer up.

©Holland America

Cruise ships are very safe, and the chance of emergencies happening to the extent where you need to worry about hypothermia is slim to none. Still, with all things in life, if you decide to pack a parka or other kinds of warm clothing during your Caribbean adventure, you’ll be giving yourself a little extra protection.

We recognize that most folks will try to travel as light as possible during these Caribbean voyages, though, and that’s understandable. We understand the rule and the problems that come with it. Fortunately, most lifeboats come with thermal aids, and every cruise line has taken into account ways to combat hypothermia in the case of emergencies.

Do you want to set sail on the ocean?

This rule is a fascinating one and also a hard one to enforce. Did you know it existed? Let us know and continue to follow us here at DFB for more cruise tips and tricks!