AAA Offers Safety Tips for Cruise Passengers

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

lifeboat tender - wiki

With the events that have happened on cruise ships lately, AAA Offers Safety Tips for Cruise Passengers. Even though I have cruised often, there were two that I have not done.  Take a moment and read these tips from  AAA for your own safety on a cruise.

“AAA Travel experts offer cruise passengers five important safety tips:

- All cruise passengers, even seasoned cruisers, should actively participate in and pay full attention during the ship’s muster drills as evacuation procedures vary by cruise line.  Currently, ships are required to hold safety drills within 24 hours of boarding new passengers. If the ship’s emergency muster drill is not scheduled prior to departure from the embarkation port, take personal responsibility for safety by locating life vests and identifying assigned muster stations.

- Register all international travel with the U.S. Department of State’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://travelregistration.state.gov.  This will enable the State Department to provide better assistance in an emergency.

- Travel with a small waterproof pack that can be easily secured around the body in the event of an evacuation. The pack should include, passports, cash including local currency, credit card, medications, small flashlight, cell phone, nutrition bars, and a bottle of water if possible. Prepare the pack upon boarding the ship so it is immediately accessible in the event of an emergency.

- Don’t let common sense take a vacation.  Avoid participation in risky behaviors like excessive consumption of alcohol and admitting strangers to your cabin, and report any concerns to ship security.  Personal safety is a consideration while on a cruise vacation, just like it is while at home or when traveling on land.

- Book all cruise vacations through a trusted travel counselor.  In the days following an emergency, the travel counselor can be a trusted ally providing critical, timely and valuable assistance. A travel counselor can provide guidance to customers already booked on future cruises that may be affected by the original cruise ship emergency.”

I like the idea of the waterproof pack that you have ready in case of an emergency. Pass on these Safety Tips for Cruise Passengers. Which one do you do?  Leave a comment below.

Click here for the entire article

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St. Thomas Royal Caribbean Shore Excursion Accident

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

St. Thomas, VI - wiki

Most of us have been on a shore excursion on a cruise.  Many of us have traveled the narrow, winding roads aboard several varieties of vans.  I have always felt that the drivers have driven those roads several times and that I was safe.  Unfortunately, there was an accident on one of those shore excursions last week.

Here are details from the Royal Caribbean blog about the St. Thomas Royal Caribbean Shore Excursion Accident.

“More details were released today about the 13 Royal Caribbean passengers from Serenade of the Seas that were involved in an accident.

The safari taxi, part of Royal Caribbean’s “Best of St. Thomas and Shopping” (a three-and-a-half hour shore excursion), darted from Skyline Drive on Friday morning, levelling mailboxes, striking a parked SUV, launching itself over the ridge and plunging 65 feet into thick bush.

St. Thomas Deputy Police Chief Dwayne DeGraff said one woman broke her hip while another passenger required stitches for a cut on their forehead.  Only the woman with the broken hip did not return to Serenade of the Seas to complete the rest of their cruise.

Officials say The west-bound taxi veered left at an uphill right turn and struck a bank of mailboxes and the side of an Acura SUV parked in a driveway.The taxi then climbed the ridge and careened downhill into bush beside a concrete driveway on the southern slope.

The driver of the taxi, whose name was not disclosed, had no other charges against him/her.  The driver was cited with a commission violation but is authorized to operate a taxi.

The accident remains under investigation by the V.I. police.”

I do hope the injured woman is on the mend. Have you ever had a bad experience on a shore excursion? Leave a comment below.

Here is the link to the original post.

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CLIA Calls for an Operational Safety Review

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

Collision of Costa Concordia = wiki

CLIA Calls for an Operational Safety Review. After the Concordia accident, the Cruise Lines International wants to be sure that is everything is as safe as possible and this does not happen again.

Here is the announcement from CLIA:

CLIA Calls for an 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, Inc. (CLIA), speaking on behalf of the global cruise lines industry, today announced the launch of a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review.  The Review will include a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety.   As best practices are identified, they will be shared among CLIA members and any appropriate recommendations will be shared with the IMO.  Recommendations will be made on an ongoing basis.

Key components of the Review include:

  1. An internal review by CLIA members of their own operational safety practices and procedures concerning issues of navigation, evacuation, emergency training, and related practices and procedures.      
  2. Consultation with independent external experts.
  3. Identification and sharing of industry best practices and policies, as well as possible recommendations to the IMO for substantive regulatory changes to further improve the industry’s operational safety. 
  4. Collaboration with the IMO, governments and regulatory bodies to implement any necessary regulatory changes. 

While the cruise industry has an outstanding safety record, CLIA is fully committed to understanding the factors that contributed to the Concordia incident and is proactively responding to all maritime safety issues.  The Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review will enable the industry to do so in a meaningful and expedited manner.”

Those of us that cruise often, are glad that CLIA Calls for an Operational Safety Review. Do you feel that cruising is safe? Leave a comment below.

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Royal Caribbean is Dedicated to Safety on Their Ships (Video)

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

Here is a video from Royal Caribbean which says that Royal Caribbean is Dedicated to Safety on Their Ships.

“Royal Caribbean International’s “Safety is our Business” video includes thoughts from Richard D. Fain, Adam Goldstein and Captain William Wright. The video provides insights into how the cruise line has made safety and security their highest priority. Learn about Royal Caribbean’s Safety Advisory Committee, visit a maritime training facility and see the safety nerve center onboard a cruise ship.”

Do you have safety ideas that the cruise lines should adopt on their ships?  Leave a comment below. Royal Caribbean is Dedicated to Safety on Their Ships as well as other cruise lines. Everyone wants future cruisers to know that their ships are safe in the light of the tragedy on the Costa Concordia.

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Royal Caribbean President and CEO Speaks of Safety

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

Flowrider - wiki

The Royal Caribbean President and CEO Speaks of Safety on their cruise ships today.  Several of the other cruise lines have sent out announcements about safety on their cruise ships. They want to reassure their passengers that their cruise line is safe for travel. Royal Caribbean is always improving their safety and will “look for lessons learned in every minor incident or accident.”

In this excerpt from today’s announcement, Adam Goldstein speaks about the importance of cruise ship safety. Be sure to click on the link at the end of the article to read the rest of the announcement.

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Speaks of Safety

“There are many aspects of safety. Although we are proud of our people, processes and technology in all areas of safety, we must review them all again, especially recruiting, training, guest mustering and evacuation. We have considered and prepared for very many scenarios. Now we need to broaden the range of scenarios even further.

In the upcoming weeks we will communicate by text and video about many of the key elements of safety. Many readers who know us well will not be surprised by our focus on and commitment to safety.  Those who have less experience with us should learn some interesting and compelling facts about how we prepare our ships and crew for safe operation every day.   For example, the rigorous preparation and ongoing training that every Captain in the Royal Caribbean International fleet must undergo.

Safety is a journey rather than a destination. We need to operate safely now yet constantly improve our safety. We need to hunt for lessons learned in every minor incident or accident. We need to apply those lessons learned across the fleet ASAP. This is a never ending cycle. As our Chairman Richard Fain says, there is no such thing as perfect safety but there is such a thing as perfect dedication to safety. We strive to be true to that concept.”

As I am an art destination instructor with Royal Caribbean, I have always been impressed with their professionalism and dedication to safety.

Click here to read the rest of the announcement.

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Crystal Cruises Continues its Voluntourism Program

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

Crystal Serenity - wiki

Crystal Cruises Continues its Voluntourism Program in 2012, while adding new destinations and programs. I am impressed with the activities the cruise ship offers to the communities and also that the shore excursion is complimentary. On one of the cruises on another cruise line I took this year, the chance to volunteer on a shore excursion had a charge to the passenger.

Of course, being an art teacher, the shore excursion to Cambodia teaching art to kids would be something I would love to do.

In this article from the Media center of Crystal Cruises the Voluntourism Program is explained.

Crystal Cruises Continues its Voluntourism Program

“After a successful inaugural year of voluntourism around the world, Crystal Cruises is extending its trailblazing “You Care, We Care” program with new hands-on opportunities throughout 2012.  This year, as in 2011, every Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony voyage offers one complimentary shore excursion in which both guests and crew can give back to a local community-in-need, with Crystal handling all the logistics. 

Of the more than 45 socially-responsible excursions completed last year, several philanthropic destinations are back on the ’12 calendar, accompanied by new international additions such as:

  •  Cambodia: Teach children the arts, plus plant a vegetable garden, at an orphanage
  •  British Columbia: Stock, pack, and distribute food and toys at a local food bank
  •  Singapore: Help literacy-challenged children to read
  •  South Korea: Bring goodwill to a home for underprivileged children

 “The feedback from this program has been incredible, with stories of tears, hugs, penpals, and generosity above and beyond anything we could have hoped for,” says Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president operations.  “We are thrilled to continue to ‘pay it forward’ as we sail the world in 2012.”

Additional locales featuring the program in 2012 include Cartagena, Colombia; Willemstad, Curaçao; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Livorno, Italy; Athens, Greece; Tallinn, Estonia; Rostock, Germany; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Honolulu; and Boston, among others.

In 2011, participants fed homeless donkeys in Antigua; supported conservation efforts at an Oregon state park; tended to rescued sea turtles in Athens; helped garden outside an elderly domicile in Dubrovnik; rehabbed an educational salmon hatchery in Alaska; planted trees in New Zealand and Australia; bonded with disabled adults in Tuscany and the Canary Islands; played with underprivileged children in Uruguay, Peru, St. Martin, Rio, Fiji, and South Africa;  and gathered and distributed food and supplies in Israel, Santa Barbara, Nova Scotia, Boston, Estonia, and New Brunswick.”

For those of us who cruise some of the same ports several times would jump at the chance to participate in one of these volunteer programs.  It is rewarding that Crystal Cruises Continues its Voluntourism Program! Would you like to volunteer at a port of call?  Leave a comment below.

Click here for the original article

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Costa Concordia Captain and Coast Guard Conversation (Audio)

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

Here is the audio (sub-captioned) between the Costa Concordia Captain and Coast Guard. Captain Francesco Schettino had gotten off the tilted and dark Costa Concordia and the Coast Guard demanded that the Captain get back on the ship by the ladder the passengers were going down. The Captain resisted, saying that he was directing the evacuation from the rescue boat. The Coast Guard again demanded that he go back to the ship to give a count of the number of people still aboard.

Finally the Captain said that he would go back onto the Concordia, but the Coast Guard said that he never did.  He was arrested as soon as he got to land. News reports and Costa Cruise Line said that the accident was caused by Captain Francesco Schettino’s actions

In the picture above, the captain is on the right hand side.

Original post of audio and AP Coverage

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Cruise Line Safety – What can be Done Better?

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

Rescue Vehicle on the Oasis of the Seas - Wiki

We have all watched and read news reports about the Costa Concordia tragedy. Many of us are cruisers, and we wonder what would happen if we were in the same situation. I have been on two ships which tipped slightly and it was disconcerting. One time one of the azipods stopped working and the ship tilted and went in a half circle. We had a balcony state room and could see the curved path of the ship. Recently, when we were in an inside cabin, a wind front caught the ship and it tipped slightly.

I have only been on Royal Caribbean cruise ships and I have been impressed by their seriousness about safety. The crew always have some sort of drill when at port and the required muster drill is done before the ship leaves the port. There is constant communication from the activity directors and the captain.When the azipod went out, there was a almost immediate announcement from the bridge about the incident.

While the tragedy with the Concordia is rare, I am sure that the cruise ship industry will make better safety measures for all ships. Do you still feel safe on cruise ships? What safety measures could be done better on the cruise lines? Please comment below.

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Fox News Video about Costa Concordia Tragedy

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

 

Costa Concordia - wiki

Click here for the latest news from Fox News on the Costa Concordia tragedy

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Costa Cruise Line Latest Statement Concerning Costa Concordia

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Diane Zubrick | Permalink 0

From their Facebook Page:

Costa Cruises Statement Regarding Costa Concordia Jan. 14 – Update #2

by Costa Cruises on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 10:43am

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2012, 12:30 p.m. EST) — This is the latest statement issued regarding Costa Concordia by Costa Crociere’s Corporate Communications Department. According to Costa, this is the last statement that will be issued today, though updates will follow.

“I want to express our deep sorrow for this terrible tragedy,” said Gianni Onorato, President of Costa Crociere. “I am only now able to speak on behalf of Costa because, as you will understand, I have been at Isola del Giglio to be close to the rescue operations.

“First, I would like to thank all the authorities, law enforcement and volunteers who provided assistance to our guests and crew involved in this terrible event.

“We are not at this time able to answer all questions because the authorities are trying, with our cooperation, to understand the reasons for this incident.

“On the basis of the initial evidence — still preliminary — Costa Concordia, under the command of Master Francesco Schettino, was sailing its regularly scheduled itinerary from Civitavecchia to Savona, Italy, when the ship struck a submerged rock.

“Captain Schettino, who was on the bridge at the time, immediately understood the severity of the situation and performed a maneuver intended to protect both guests and crew, and initiated security procedures to prepare for an eventual ship evacuation.

“Unfortunately, that operation was complicated by a sudden tilting of the ship that made disembarkation difficult.

“Thanks to the commitment of the agencies coordinated by the Coast Guard, rescue operations have been continuing.

“From the moment we were alerted, Costa mobilized all its resources ashore to assist our guests and crewmembers, and to prevent potential environmental impacts.”

For information, friends and families members can contact the U.S. call center at 800-462-6782.

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