To cruise, or not to cruise: That is the question; Costa Concordia shipwreck sends chills for even veteran cruisers

   Out to Sea for Feb. 18/12

 

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox

   To cruise, or not to cruise.

   That’s a question even veteran cruisers are asking themselves with the shipwreck of the Costa Concordia off the Italian island of Giglio last month.

   Even as the cruise line industry tightens its safety procedures – with more rules and regulations for sure to come – it’s a haunting spectacle.

   The harrowing images of frightened passengers scrambling for their lives and the recovery of 17 bodies with 15 still missing have sent shudders throughout the industry and public.

  In better times, the Costa Concordia is shown on its Mediterranean sailings.

Cruise industry assocations adopt new muster drill policy after Costa Concordia shipwreck

(News release from the Cruise Lines International Association)

LONDON -- The global cruise industry today announced a new emergency drill policy requiring mandatory muster for embarking passengers prior to departure from port. The new policy follows the industry’s announcement on January 27 of a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review in response to the Concordia incident and as part of the industry’s continuous efforts to review and improve safety measures. The Cruise Lines International Association, European Cruise Council, and the Passenger Shipping Association put forward the new policy with the support of their member cruise lines.