I scored another beach day! Since the weather is so unpredictable, I keep all my beach essentials - clothes, umbrellas, chairs, and SNACKS (I love snacks!) - in the back of my car so I can head to the beach at a moment's notice.

I just watched the Netflix documentary "Trainwreck: Poop Cruise." 

Here's the back story: In 2013, what was supposed to be a carefree 4-day Carnival cruise turned into an 8-day nightmare at sea. After a fire knocked out the ship's power, passengers found themselves stranded in the middle of the ocean with no electricity and rapidly deteriorating sanitation.

Toilets overflowed with human waste, forcing desperate passengers to seek refuge on the upper decks. The situation got super messy real quick, with everyone basically just trying to survive however they could. Passengers faced impossible choices—whether to use the dreaded "red bags" for bathroom needs or use the already overflowing toilets and showers.

My first response when watching this was: "I ain't pooping in a red bag."

After that, my mind started racing about what I would do in a similar situation.

Like it or not, emergencies happen, and being a little bit prepared can make a big difference.

Let's dive in.

Part 1 - The Mindset

The first thing I want to talk about is attitude. Staying calm during an emergency is crucial.

Seriously…

Panicking will only put you and your loved ones in danger. Literally, it could be a life or death situation.

But that’s not all you need for mindset.

The next important skill is situational awareness. Since I travel frequently, especially solo, I'm always watching what's happening around me. There are usually early warning signs you can spot when disaster strikes:

• Staff members acting panicked or moving quickly
• Code words being announced (like "Alpha, Alpha, Alpha" instead of "Fire, Fire, Fire")
• Delayed or vague announcements about what's happening

If you notice these signs, start preparing immediately. You want to be one of the first people to act in emergency situations because you'll have advantages in terms of food, supplies, and even bathroom access.

In a situation like the poop cruise, I'd be the first person using the 

bathrooms while they still worked!

Always pay attention during emergency drills. When I board a cruise ship, I make sure to note where all the emergency exits are. I even memorize the ship's layout. This preparation means that if things go wrong, you'll know exactly what to do while others are confused. 

This knowledge can make the difference between safety and danger.

Finally, establish a meeting point if you're traveling with others. If you get separated during an emergency, having a designated spot where everyone knows to gather is essential. Set this up before your trip begins.

Part 2 - The Goods

Here are some essential items I bring with me and stock up on when things start going sideways:

• Snacks & Water - When food is plentiful, I grab extra non-perishable items to keep in my room. This way, if an emergency happens, you'll already have supplies while others scramble.

• Wet Wipes & Hand Sanitizer - In messy situations, these help you stay clean and avoid getting sick when water might be limited or bathrooms unusable.
• Backup Battery - A portable power bank will keep your phone alive, meaning you can call for help, check maps, or get updates even when outlets aren't available or the power is out.
• First Aid Kit & Medications - Having basics like bandages, pain relievers, and any personal meds means you're not reliant on overwhelmed or hard-to-find medical help.
• Clothesline - Use it to dry clothes, secure gear, or even rig up a privacy barrier with towels or sheets. It takes up almost no space but does a lot.
• Extra Towels - Even when I have towels, I always try to stock up on as many as I can get. In a cruise situation, getting extra beach towels would be a high priority. Great for makeshift pillows, cleaning up messes, or even emergency bathroom solutions if things really go south.

Focus on covering the essentials—water, food, hygiene, shelter—and you'll be ahead of most travelers.

With just a little planning, you might even be the calm, collected one helping others instead of starring in the next travel disaster story.

Keep traveling, 

Andrew

Have you ever spotted something off while traveling — like staff acting weird or code words — that made you suspicious? What happened next?