Survey finds cruise passengers confused by onboard safety demos
A survey into cruise ship passengers’ attitude to safety to mark the third anniversary of the Costs Concordia tragedy reveals many still feel companies could do more to protect them.
Of those who responded to the cruise.co.uk survey, 13% said they were confused by onboard safety demonstrations, but 8% admitted they don’t pay attention anyway.
Despite 10 new mandatory safety procedures introduced following the sinking of the Concordia with the loss of 32 lives, 26% of respondents said didn’t agreed that safety procedures were clearly explained on cruise ships they travelled with and that they had been significantly enhanced since the disaster in 2012.
Only 39% said they believed cruise ships were built for safety and 29% said they believed they were built to impress.
However, 71% said cruising was safer than flying, a sizable majority felt safety measures had improved over the past three years and all of the respondents claimed that reports of freak accidents at sea did not deter them from booking.
Cruise.co.uk managing director Seamus Conlon: "The sinking of the Costa Concordia was undoubtedly one of the most tragic and avoidable incidents in the cruise industry over the past decade, and it’s a hugely important day to commemorate.
"As our survey shows, despite this tragedy, British cruisers subsequently have greater confidence when travelling and this is due to the commendable safety standards that are rife within our industry. The Costa Concordia is an important reminder that safety is the primary concern for cruise liners, and we’re confident these standards will only continue to increase over the next decade.
"The Cruise Lines International Association’s swift introduction of new policies was exactly what the industry needed following the event. Now, with advanced muster drills – which detail each passenger’s designated safety station and instruct on how to fit a lifejacket, not to mention other implementations including the harmonization of bridge procedures and an increase the supply of lifejackets, it’s not a coincidence that cruisers have far greater confidence in travelling on cruise liners than ever before."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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