Millions of people book vacations aboard luxury ships each and every years around the world.
This is a common way to relax, enjoy the open waters and visit different countries.
Unfortunately, vacations aboard a ship also comes with its fair share of dangers and slip and fall accidents are the most common accidents taken place aboard vessels, ranging from a broken bone to death.
While it is the responsibility of the cruise company to ensure safety procedures are in place to reduce the risk of accident, there are times when problems are overlooked, leaving you flat on the floor, gripping your arm, leg or head in agony.
These accidents can results in broken bones, spinal injuries, head injuries and even death, which is why it's important for you to be careful and note where you are walking at all times.
Wet decks are the most common cause of cruise ship slip and fall accidents.
Water around the pool areas or waves that have splashed on the deck can leave the area slippery and dangerous.
You may jump up quickly off your pool side deck chair to tell your child to be careful in the pool, ending up on the floor after stepping in a pool of water around the pool.
Inadequate lighting is another of the main causes of cruise ship slip and fall accidents.
In many cases inadequately lit walkways throughout the ship can have a devastating impact on your vacation.
It is imperative the ship has signage and ample lighting, ensuring you notice the couple of steps leading out of the restaurant or down to your cabin.
Missing a step can leave you with a broken bone or serious bruising, which can ruin your entire vacation in an instant.
The cruise company is responsible for ensuring all their equipment is maintained at all times, but interestingly one of the common causes for cruise ship slip and fall accidents is broken stair rails.
Most companies will put stair treads on the stairs to reduce the risk of you slipping, but a faulty stair rail can have just as big an impact if you take a tumble.
Grabbing onto a broken stair rail can leave you at the bottom of the stairwell within seconds.
In many instances these accidents are a result of poorly maintained floors.
Worn flooring and decking with cracks and peels can soon result in injury.
This is why it's recommended that you always take special note of where you are walking while aboard a ship, this way you can see any worn flooring and try and step over it with care or avoid that area all together.
Spilled food and drink are other culprits which can result in a serious fall.
Remember the ship will be host to couples and families all enjoying their time on the ocean.
Children carrying drinks to the pool or eating on deck, can easily drop items which aren't seen by staff straight away.
While staff have strict cleaning up procedures, it can sometimes take some time before someone notices the problem, if you walk over the area before its cleaned, you can find yourself claiming for compensation when you get home.
The final reason for cruise ship slip and fall accidents are a result of staff error.
In the event that a staff member notices a problem and mops the floor or cleans up some food that has spilled, they have to put up signage.
This also applies to poorly lit areas, steps and other dangers.
Poor signage or lack of warning all together can easily result in an accident.