Norwegian Cruise Line has become the latest cruise line to add lifeguards to its pools.
According to a statement from the line provided to Travel Agent, the line will add certified lifeguards to all of the family pools across its fleet starting this summer with its four largest ships: Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic. Lifeguards will roll out to the remainder of the fleet by early 2018.
The lifeguards will be trained and certified by the American Red Cross and will monitor the family pools during scheduled pool hours, Norwegian said.
Norwegian has stationed pool monitors on its largest ships since 2015, said Norwegian Cruise Line President and CEO Andy Stuart in a written release. The addition of lifeguards aims to further increase safety for young travelers.
In addition to uniformed lifeguards, Norwegian will also begin offering complimentary swim vests for both adults and children on the line's four largest ships, the cruise line said. Parents can obtain the safety vests at the towel station on the ship's pool deck during daytime hours.
The move makes Norwegian the latest cruise line to add lifeguards to its fleet this year. In February Royal Caribbean International announced that it would add certified lifeguards at all pools across its fleet. That rollout started in March, and is expected to be available fleetwide by this June.
Travel agents welcomed the move by Royal Caribbean.
"The addition of lifeguards on Royal Caribbean's ships is a positive move," Peggy Rosenthal, franchise owner and vacation specialist, Dream Vacations, Bella Vista, AR, told cruise editor Susan J. Young at the time. "As a former lifeguard, I respect the water and support moves to improve water safety.”
Disney Cruise Line also added lifeguards to its pools in 2013 after a child nearly drowned.
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