Recently we have brought several different types of stories regarding cruise ships, from the sensational sinking of the Costa Concordia, to the discovery of more than 35 pounds of cocaine on a cruise ship in San Francisco a few days ago. What these stories show is something we have been saying for years – there is a hidden risk to taking a cruise, a risk that many people are just beginning to take seriously.

It is easy to point out a cruise ship sinking – taking up to 32 lives with it. It is easy to point out the 4+ cruise ship outbreaks of Norovirus in recent weeks. It is easy to point out the numerous cases of cruise ship sexual assault and disappearance that occur on a monthly basis. But, the cocaine story should really call your attention, because it is so out of the ordinary. How do you feel knowing your cruise line neighbors may be major drug dealers, using the vessel to smuggle massive amounts of drugs?

The fact is that many of these cruise ships are like floating cities. Every problem you find in any city, you are likely to find on a cruise ship, and more. The one difference is that there is often insufficient “police” on board, because it is a business, not a government.

If you chose to cruise, keep these things in mind. The companies try their hardest to give you a “wonderland” experience. But, as so many cruisers of late have found, cruising brings all the same problems as any vacation, and sometimes more.