This is an extremely tragic incident which, according to all published reporting thus far, could have been avoided. More unfortunate is the potential impact to the cruise industry overall.

I rarely book Costa in Europe primarily due to the on board exoperience and demographics. After fourteen years, I find a majority of North American passengers are not looking for that experience overall. That said, Costa is a fine line given the disclaimers I offer my guests. "Manage Expectations" is my mantra!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />

SOLAS and Coast Gruard rules with regard to drills are within the first 24 hours. Most, if not all, lines sailing from US ports complete this drill prior to leaving the pier. Many lines leaving from Europe do not practice the drill until the following morning. (I did do an MSC fam trip many years ago from Fort Lauderdale and the drill was performed the following morning at sea!)

Frankly, sometimes as I watch the "condition" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> of passengers attending the drill; I wonder if the next morning does not have some merit when passengers are rested and (hopefully) sober. I must admitt I sometimes "cheat" and do not attend the drill after 60+ cruises. However I take very seriously where our vests and lifeboat station are. I will add that we always take a small flashlight and will begin to take two and develop a personal plan if we are not together in an emergency.

I don't think anyone really knows what reactions will be in a real emergency. The drill is done at the dock without ocean movement, in broad daylight, with the ship upright and with all electrical operational. Those are not always the conditions in a real emergency sadly.

This will all play out over a lengthy time. The thing I keep in focus is I'm safer on the ship than driving to my local grocery store and plane tragedies have not yet stopped me from getting on a plane. That said, this is still a "black eye" on the industry to many.