[Travelandtourism] Costa Cruises Updates blaming or making excuses

[cheryl echevarria]

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For a company who owns some of the world biggest names in the cruise line industry, from Holland America, Princess, Cunard (which is also in Europe the White Star Lines), are certainly making excuses for themselves.
Again, these are my own thoughts on the subject, and again, I will write why this is not all the captain's fault, and why you should not be afraid to cruise, I am still cruising, and probably always will, once you go you get addicted. 
Anyway, if you haven't heard the updates, Costa Cruises, is announcing in a press briefing yesterday that it believes the captain of the wrecked "Costa Concordia" changed course from the ship's authorized route to sail closer to the Italian island of Giglio and greet local residents. Six people died in the accident, with 12 to 29 others still missing.
Again, this was a fluke in what happened.
But they are blaming the captain, and I say blame the company!!!
Why you may ask?
Well I will tell you why!!
Everyone from the dishwasher to the waiters, etc, should know the drills for the lifeboats (called the Muster Drills).  It seems even though that the captains and the officers abandoned ship instead of staying behind, (COWARDS!), to help everyone.  Left their staff in the lerch no one seemed to know anything, and was afraid to do anything without the guidance of the captain and the crew, can't blame them really, they didn't know themselves until others told them that they left the ship and that the staff was on there own.
God bless the ones that stayed behind and helped.
FYI, for anyone who is cruising or wants to cruise in the future.  Make sure you once you are on the boat, that the Muster Drill happens within 24 hours of sailing, I love NCL because they do this prior to sailing, before the ship even leaves the dock, you learn where your life jackets are and where you meeting station is.
For people who are blind, once you enter your room, your staff and the access department will show you where the life jackets are and what deck you are assigned to for the muster drill.
Also every ship will have enough life boats for passengers and crew.  On this ship, they did have them but because the ship was on it's side, many of the boats were not attached to the ship.
The cruise lines also are implementing doing another drill again, during rough waters, so that you know what will happen during this time, it is easy to do this when the ship is in port and during calm seas, but it should be done again while at sea as well.
Make sure you ask your travel agent, when does the Muster Drill happen on my cruise, and if they don't know they will find out for you.
Now my point on this is, they are doing a lot of the blame on the captain and his crew, and yes they did what they did, but the company needs to take the blame of lousy training of the staff.
When I have cruised in the past, all member of the staff are on deck to assist and to guide passengers in the Muster Drill.  There is no excuse why this should have happened.
Again, Just my own opinion.  

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Cheryl Echevarria
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