The cruise giant will begin employing certified lifeguards in family pools from this summer.
Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic will be the first ships to receive the new additions.
After the four largest cruise ships are equipped with lifeguards, the rest of Norwegian’s fleet will follow suit in 2018.
The workers will be trained by American Red Cross in lifesaving rescue measures and will patrol family pools during their scheduled opening hours.
Norwegian will also provide the option of swim vests for adults and children on the four largest ships.
Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “Norwegian has stationed pool monitors on our largest ships since 2015 and we are now taking further steps to ensure the safety of our youngest guests with the addition of certified lifeguards across our fleet.
“While parents are always the first line of supervision when it comes to water safety, we felt it was important to provide this added measure across our fleet.”
Norwegian’s announcement follows Royal Caribbean’s decision in February to implement lifeguards on board this year.
Oasis of the Seas already employs the pool monitors, while the rest of Royal Caribbean’s fleet will have lifeguards on board by June.
The new program will also see the introduction of water safety instruction signs throughout the ship.
Lyan Sierra-Caro, Royal Caribbean’s manager of corporate communications, said they wanted to ensure guests had “the safest vacation possible”, with pool-based activities an “important aspect of the cruise vacation for all guests”.
Royal Caribbean started offering life jackets to children in pool areas late in 2015.
Both travel operators have announced their lifeguard policies after several drowning tragedies on board cruise ships.
In 2014 a four-year-old boy died and his six-year-old brother was airlifted to hospital after a pool incident on Norwegian Breakaway. In 2015 a 10-year-old girl drowned on the Norwegian Gem.
Last summer an eight-year-old boy drowned on Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas.
Cruise lines are protected by the Death on the High Seas Act, which excludes them from almost all financial liability in the death of a non-wage earner, such as a child or retiree.
