Many potential cruise customers have been turned off by recent reports of mechanical failures, sickness, and injuries on major cruise lines.

But despite horror stories like the incident aboard the Carnival Triumph in 2013, the vast majority of passengers have a wonderful cruise vacation. Cruise ships are often more safe that living on land.  Even outbreaks of norovirus—a virus so commonly associated with cruise ships it’s sometimes called “the cruise ship bug”—are more likely to strike on solid ground.

Some cruise lines have more of a checkered past than others, however. If safety is a primary concern for you …