(MONEY Magazine) – As the cold, dark winter drags on and sun-drenched climes beckon, you may be considering a cruise--and wondering whether you should concern yourself with anything other than lido decks, silly drinks and flashy shirts.

While cruise-ship travel is by and large safe, each year a few incidents put a spotlight on the potential hazards. Last July, for example, a spectacular two-hour blaze aboard the Carnival ship Ecstasy injured 54 people (mainly crew members who suffered smoke inhalation).

A month earlier, the U.S. Coast Guard canceled Premier Cruises' Big Red Boat's four-night voyage to the Bahamas after the ship failed its fire-safety inspection, leaving 1,400 passengers at the dock in Florida. And Princess Cruises' Regal Princess was temporarily taken out of service in Alaska after 10% to 15% of the passengers had diarrhea on three consecutive trips last summer.

So if you want more peace of mind before you plunk down a few thousand dollars on a cruise, take these four steps. While you won't get advance warning of every mishap, you should feel more confident that your ship is equipped to handle an emergency.

Pick a ship that sails from the U.S. Nearly all cruise ships are registered in foreign countries. But as long as they dock at least once a year in a U.S. port, they're inspected by the Coast Guard and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the agencies that are responsible for enforcing U.S. safety and health rules.

Pay attention to fire readiness. Fire is the most serious threat to safety, so the Coast Guard conducts quarterly Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) inspections to make sure ships are properly equipped with lifeboats, life jackets and fire-fighting equipment. Not all older ships, however, have been retrofitted with sprinklers.

To find out when a ship passed its SOLAS inspection--and whether it had to overcome numerous violations to get that approval--call the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office at 800-368-5647, or check the Port State Information Exchange Website at psix.uscg.mil. The Big Red Boat, for example, had been given an eight-month extension to meet fire-safety requirements before the Coast Guard ordered it not to sail.

Give the ship a health checkup. The CDC inspects ships at least twice a year, checking the water and food supply and crew hygiene. The agency also monitors disease outbreaks aboard ships. You can see how your vessel scored (86 or above is passing) by getting the Summary of Sanitation Inspections of International Cruise Ships, called the Green Sheet, from your travel agent. Or look it up at the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program Website at www.cdc.gov.

Plan for your own medical care. No agency regulates medical care on ships. With help from the American College of Emergency Physicians, the International Council of Cruise Lines has developed guidelines for onboard medical personnel and infirmaries, but the guidelines are voluntary.

If you have special medical needs, consult with your doctor before booking a trip. Even if a ship's medical facilities seem able to meet them, get assurances from the cruise line in writing.

--MARI MCQUEEN