The Bizarre World of Captain Schettino

While it's possible that Costa Concordia Captain Francesco Schettino will be convicted of manslaughter over the death of 32 cruise ship passengers, it's also important to remember something about a rush to judgment. The respected news agency Reuters carried a story headlined "Italy cruise ship's captain tells survivors: I'm sorry". In the story, there is… Continue reading The Bizarre World of Captain Schettino

Cruise crew 'Seafarer of the Year'…?

Even if there is a legitimate case for the Seafarer of the Year award for 2012, it can only be categorized as strange or even bizarre. And the winner is…the crew of the Costa Concordia. The award is given by Lloyd's List, the leading daily newspaper for the maritime industry, and the announcement was made… Continue reading Cruise crew 'Seafarer of the Year'…?

Costa Concordia: Something Good

The cruise industry will always remember the Costa Concordia. If it's not a modern-day version of the Titanic, its impact on the industry is of titanic proportions. That part happened on Thursday, eight months and seven days after the Concordia keeled over in Mediterranean waters off the Italian coast, killing 32 passengers. Thursday's fallout was… Continue reading Costa Concordia: Something Good

Fund Raising 'Magic' for cruising, too

We watched a documentary on Magic Johnson the other night that was moving, not because he had been such a great basketball player but because of the impact he has had on raising money for — and acceptance of — people with the HIV virus. The documentary was well done, but more importantly, it made… Continue reading Fund Raising 'Magic' for cruising, too

Deep Impact of Costa Concordia

  The word "terrorism" would never be associated with the Costa Concordia, yet the impact of that disaster on cruising is somewhat similar to what 9/11 did to flying. Security has been continually accelerated at airports over the last decade, often to the point of annoyance. In cruising, it's just the beginning. Tomorrow at 8… Continue reading Deep Impact of Costa Concordia