A Fifth of British Cruise-Goers can’t Swim
The survey polled 1,562 holidays makers who had been on a cruise holiday in the past from across the UK, and found that the majority of those who couldn't swim said it wasn't a concern because there were lifejackets on board.
Respondents were initially asked if they were able to swim, to which just under a fifth (19 per cent) said no. These respondents were then asked if they thought being able to swim was an important pre-requisite of going on a cruise holiday, to which almost three-quarters (73 per cent) said no.
When asked why they didn't think it was important, 63 pe cent said that they weren't concerned because there were lifejackets on board while 16 per cent of those who couldn't swim thought that not being able to swim whilst on a cruise was no different to not being able to swim on any other holiday spent next to the pool.
The idea of being surrounded by water would make you think that it would be a good idea to learn - but then I suppose you don't learn to fly before getting on a plane!
A quarter admitted that they hadn't thought about it being an issue before booking their cruise holiday. Furthermore, over half (52 per cent), of those that couldn't swim said that they felt ‘completely safe’ even though they were surrounded by water.
Steph Curtin, Cruise Development Manager of bonvoyage.co.uk, said: “It was quite surprising to find out that some people who go on cruise holidays don’t actually know how to swim.
"The idea of being surrounded by water would make you think that it would be a good idea to learn - but then I suppose you don't learn to fly before getting on a plane! There is nothing to say you have to be able to swim when going on a cruise, and the safety measures that are implemented on cruise ships are more than enough to ensure non-swimmers will be safe."
Those polled were then asked how they would feel about being able to swim becoming mandatory for all those who wanted to book a cruise holiday. A third of the respondents admitted that they would ‘happily learn’ to swim if it became mandatory. A further 17 per cent admitted feeling a little ‘reluctant’ whilst a quarter stated that they would ‘refuse’ to learn to swim, just so they can go on a cruise holiday.
Furthermore, of the respondents who initially said they were able to swim, a tenth admitted they had learned to swim because they were going on a cruise holiday.
Steph continued: “Even though the ability to swim on a cruise holiday is not mandatory I would advise cruisers to learn anyway if they can. Many holidays, not just cruise holidays, offer lots of activities that take place in the water so it means you can join in and enjoy all the water-related activities!”
FemaleFirst @FemaleFirst_UK