A cruise expert has issued a warning to Britons as more than 2.4 million passengers are expected to set sail this year. Mark Barton, cruise expert at travel insurance provider Avanti, cautioned that holidaymakers who overindulge in unlimited drinks packages could face serious consequences.
According to Barton, any medical emergency that is alcohol-related, such as injuries, falls, or alcohol poisoning, could void travel insurance. This could leave passengers facing thousands of pounds in medical costs abroad and even being removed from the ship at the next port.
Passengers who become disorderly due to excessive drinking may be escorted back to their cabin by security personnel or temporarily confined in a holding area until they sober up. In extreme cases, they could be put in the ship's brig, an onboard jail.
Barton advises passengers to report any drunken behaviour to staff using emergency phones located around the ship, rather than intervening themselves, as travel insurance may not cover injuries sustained during a physical altercation.
