Some lessons can be learnt from the story of the Cruise ship Oceanos which began to sink of the coast of South Africa a few years back.
The Greek captain and crew secretly abandoned the ship leaving the passengers to die. They didn't even send out a mayday or distress signal. It was left up the British entertainment staff to call in the mayday and organise the evacuation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BFux2AAMso&feature=related

If going on a cruise ship, just make sure the captain and crew isn't Greek.