It has been our experience that people get some kind of charge out of having an opportunity to take shots at Starbucks, Disney, Apple and cruising. The connection linking these four giants of industry is that they are perceived to be the domains of people of wealth, and every chance you get to make fun of them, have at it.
Another word for it might be jealousy. These are all successful businesses (or in the case of cruising, an industry) and there's something in the human psyche to tear down something 
that is good. In the case of cruising, those who don't cruise have a tendency to think it's the domain of the rich and famous.
Or at least the rich.
Two weeks ago, the Carnival Triumph floated in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea when it should have been cruising, after being disabled by an engine-room fire. As in the wake of the Costa Concordia, we who love cruising are assaulted with sarcastic comments like:
"So what do you think of cruising now?"
First of all, we are neither rich nor famous, but we like to cruise. Secondly, we think what we always thought: cruising is great value, is a great way to visit places we'd never have seen otherwise, and is a great way to vacation because it's also full of options. Thirdly, we have little vested interest in cruising. Finally, while we are not apologists for the cruise industry, we hasten to point out that accidents happen in all facets of life and probably no more often in cruising (per capita) than any other form of travel, and possibly less often.
Was Carnival delinquent in not addressing a previous mechanical issue on the Triumph? Possibly, but that's what investigations are for, and we have to trust that this investigation will determine the extent of Carnival's consequences.
But it shouldn't be determined because Carnival is the biggest cruise line in the biggest travel industry.
.
Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas
7 nights
March 9, 2013
San Juan (return): Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, Barbados
Inside: $379
Cost per day: $54
www.royalcaribbean.com