On a Sister Ship of the Costa Concordia -- A Year Ago

Lea Lane

Location: Florida, USA
Birthday: August 26

Title: freelance writer/editor

Bio: “I’ve discovered the secret of life,” Kay Thompson, the eccentric entertainer and “Eloise” author, once said. “A lot of hard work, a lot of sense of humor, a lot of joy and a lot of tra-la-la!” And that's been my life: As a travel writer for over 30 years, I've been around the block (more like around the world), and I write true stories about interesting people and places. I've lived an unconventional life in conventional trappings. Been a corporate VP, worked with foster kids, acted in an Indie ("Nurse 1"), was on Jeopardy!. I've been managing editor of a travel publication, written for the Times, and authored books. OS is my home, but I also blog on The Huffington Post, and I've contributed (mostly anonymously) to everything from encyclopedias to guidebooks. Married young, divorced late; married late, widowed early, I dated lots in-between -- and survived a scary illness. After being happily, peacefully solo for many years, I'm now happily married again. I founded and still edit www.sololady.com, a lifestyle Website for single women. I'm truly grateful for each precious day, each well-earned wrinkle, my family, my cat. Truth, laughter, friendship, late love. And this blog -- on this wonderful site!

MY RECENT POSTS

A Sad Parallel: Reflecting on the Suicide of Mary Kennedy
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Lea Lane's Links

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JANUARY 16, 2012 6:37PM

Rate: 27 Flag

on the Costa Atlantica bridge, with the captain

I've been a travel writer for over 30 years. (In fact, in the 1990's I wrote a book called The World's Most Exciting Cruises.) So seeing the images of the shipwreck of the Costa Concordia and hearing of the fatalities was especially shocking.

I love Italian flair, and this past summer I cruised on the Italian ship the MSC Poesia, and wrote about it on OS (I met a 94-year-old man who was traveling on the ship for a year.) I noted that on that ship our lifeboat drill was on the afternoon of our second day at sea.

And a year ago I boarded the beautiful Costa Atlantica in Miami, a sister ship of the Costa Concordia.

The Atlantica is a vibrant ship themed after the film director Federico Fellini. I toured the staterooms and entertainment areas and met the charming captain on the bridge. The experience was filled with frivolity and the ship decor was exuberant.

get-attachment one of the lounges

get-attachment-2 the main dining room

Seeing these photos from a year ago and imagining a great ship similar to the Costa Atlantica sinking underwater makes me once again realize the fragility of life and the importance of appreciating safe travels.

But it doesn't stop me from traveling whenever I'm lucky enough to have the chance.

As tragic as this recent horrible episode is, the odds are big time, that travels by ship are safe. Statistically, driving around Miami is much more dangerous.

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Comments

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"There but for the grace of God" ... and all that.

Lea Lane

January 16, 2012 06:44 PM

Lea, seeing your photos of one of the sister ships speaks to how well appointed the interior of these cruise ships are. I understand the captain may have taken a course closer to the coast line of Giglio so the head waiter could salute his family on shore (or something along those lines). If true, imagine living with that for the rest of your life. Very happy that you weren't on this cruise!

designanator

January 16, 2012 07:07 PM

In my opinion, Fellini is the absolutely perfect inspiration for a cruise ship.

What do you think is the foundation of the second day muster drill? Do you think the European lines in general are more lax about safety, that they assume travellers are more savvy, that they assume everyone has been getting plowed between boarding and sail away and therefore safety instruction would be lost on them?

keri h

January 16, 2012 07:20 PM

I'm not sure why the drill is not immediate. Maybe it's an attitude, or not wanting to be a downer as the ship starts the sail. I do know that when you sail in Europe passengers are speaking many languages and many cannot understand the details of the muster. And the big ships are so crowded when thousands have to stand at muster stations. I'm sure this will be improved immediately.

Lea Lane

January 16, 2012 07:25 PM

I think the Captain was captivated with the lovely woman in the photo.. hmmmmm?

I am not a cruiser. Have always preferred to be on land. This seems to be a tragedy which might have easily been averted. Now I am absolutely sure I will not party on the waves. And truly, there by the grace of God...........

Ande Bliss

January 16, 2012 08:11 PM

Oh Ande, I hope you can find a way to get past the fear. A river cruise might be a way to compromise. Much more gentle.

Lea Lane

January 16, 2012 08:15 PM

I don't do boats. I took a ferry across the bay last year and clung for dear life. Is it the Titanic or the reoccurring dreams of drowning?
It could have the biggest slot machine in the world on it and I still would not go on.
I watched many videos and read news reports about the Italian ship and my stomach sunk. these cruise liners are so beautiful and I shall leave them to you..:)
I feel so sad for those that lost family..
HUGGGGGGGGGG

Linda Seccaspina

January 16, 2012 08:41 PM

Lovely ship, beautiful photos. And such. Still, as one who worked for a few years in the travel business, I had not always heard good things about Costa. Despite its Italian flair.

But you are right. Driving around Miami is probably more dangerous.

Mary Stanik

January 16, 2012 09:01 PM

It will be interesting to learn what happened that the ship was allowed so far off course.

Chrissie Pissie

January 16, 2012 10:30 PM

You know, I didn't think it possible for a modern ship to run aground like that. I would think there would be sonic sensors or something that would sound alarms when the captain was steering too close to an inanimate object. In any event, it sounds as if there was a lapse in judgment on the captain's part.

Lezlie

L in the Southeast

January 16, 2012 10:49 PM

What a beautiful ship. So glad your cruises always landed safely. Thank for the perspectives - on the risks and on the preciousness of our fragile lives.

maria heng

January 16, 2012 11:12 PM

Driving around Miami? I think just pulling out of my driveway is more dangerous.

...and he was 94, and riding on a cruise ship for a year? Hang on, I gotta make a note to myself...

Divorce Bard

January 16, 2012 11:18 PM

Those giant cruise ships never tempted me...but I loved the little boat my daughter and I cruised down the Nile in.

Myriad

January 16, 2012 11:30 PM

I remember your encounter with the elderly gent ~ he was inspirational.
My youngest daughter & I swam where that ship went aground off the breakwater at Isola Giglio.
For now the small waterfront shops will be packed, with reporters & rescue/recovery folk ... then today, I heard the tanks have begun to leak.
It's such a beautiful island, mostly National Park. The reefs are pristine ... around the other side, off Campese, may they always remain so.
Big ships, shallow water = why ?

Kim Gamble

January 16, 2012 11:43 PM

Statistically, drowning in your own bathtub is more likely to happen. I wouldn't think twice about hopping on a cruise ship. I'd live on one if I could afford it!

Margaret Feike

January 17, 2012 12:10 AM

Perfect counterpoint to an unspeakable tragedy. Thank you for providing the perfect perspective.

Sally Swift

January 17, 2012 12:11 AM

Thoughtful post about this incident. The photos of the tragedy are really upsetting...but you're right, it's such a rare thing to happen.

Maureen J Andrade

January 17, 2012 12:17 AM

Your travel posts are so enticing. I still don't think you could get me on a ship, though... ~r

Joan H.

January 17, 2012 07:03 AM

Every time I see the image of that great ship lying on it's side with the number of missing growing all the time...it's just hard to imagine how such a thing could happen. Surely the ship was poorly designed to be destroyed in such a way. Scary stuff!

bluestocking babe

January 17, 2012 07:39 AM

These photos are just gorgeous! I had no idea that ships were so elegant. If my husband didn't get seasick we would go on a cruise.

I'm off to check out your other cruise post.

D

denese

January 17, 2012 09:22 AM

No doubt the Italians have style, but sometimes I wonder about their technical competence. Maybe that's cause I once owned an Alfa Romeo.
Nice piece. R

Gerald Andersen

January 17, 2012 09:55 AM

It's about leadership, right? If the Captain of the Costa de Catastrophe had been a decent leader, this story would have ended very differently. He was no Ernest Shackleton, sadly. Interesting post. Thanks.

elizabethkirby

January 17, 2012 02:39 PM

True that an accident is far more likely driving to the dock than onboard the ship, but it's also far less spectacular. I'm afraid cruises don't hold much appeal for me, but I love traveling -- I just can't afford it ;-).

Tom Cordle

January 17, 2012 04:59 PM

Over a decade ago I went on an Alaskan cruise on Princess cruises (my only cruise experience). We left from Seward and within 90 minutes of sailing we had our emergency drill. We were one of the last passengers to board (our tour bus from Anchorage airport had been delayed) and we barely had a chance to see our room when the announcement was made over the PA that the mandatory emergency drill was beginning and we all had to don our life vests and find our stations. I was happy to get this drill and important information early in the cruise. I had never worn a life vest before, so even trying to figure the vest out and exactly where to go on this HUGE ship during an emergency was extremely important information to have. I can't imagine a cruise line not providing its passengers with this crucial information and an emergency drill until the second day of a cruise!
Thanks for your post and your insights!

Elizabeth Blessing

January 17, 2012 05:00 PM

Driving around Miami is more dangerous definitely. I had a friend who moved away because he couldn't get the hang of driving over the curb when he made a right turn.

alsoknownas

January 17, 2012 05:21 PM

Yes, I'm not kidding about Miami drivers.

The Concordia story keeps getting worse and worse. At least this tragedy will improve safety practices, I'm sure.

Lea Lane

January 17, 2012 05:28 PM

I know how you feel - when I heard about the Costa Concordia accident, I thought about my own (first-time) cruise experiende last April. I loved cruising so much and hope I'll be able to do it again one day. It's horrible that accidents have to happen, and we are so lucky whenever we travel safely. It's things like this that remind us. At the same time, if we stop going on cruises because of a tragedy like this one, that would be a shame. Thank you for sharing this.

Alysa Salzberg

January 17, 2012 05:33 PM

This is a terrible tragedy and I feel one that could have been avoided.
I love your traveling spirit but I will never do a cruise again-too big and too many things can go wrong.

ladyfarmerjed

January 17, 2012 06:02 PM

Oh LFJ, I hope that you and others who read about this can try a cruise of some kind. It is a wonderful experience and some big (huge) bargains are available on sites like vacationstogo.com

Lea Lane

January 17, 2012 06:26 PM

Lea...I love this!! I loved sailing on the Costa Romantica...especially the food!! The pasta...Oh MY!!

Brazen Princess

January 17, 2012 07:11 PM

You have the right attitude, Lea. Nothing's guaranteed, except...oh, we know the three. In the old days the Concordia skipper would have been keel-hauled for what he did. Today he'll lose his job and maybe spend some time in the clink - not long enuf, I'm sure.

Chicken Mãâàn

January 17, 2012 07:21 PM

Wonder if that terrible captain was as charming as the one I met?

Lea Lane

January 17, 2012 07:28 PM

Lea,
Once upon a time I got my Captain's license and during the course of that I learned how often the crews on these ships are not very well educated on safety issues. I did go on one cruise and felt very nervous the whole time-almost wanting to drag my life vest every where because in the end if something happens it is usually quick and you can only rely on your own wits.
I was appalled that the Captain of this ship "abandoned" it before his passengers were safely evacuated.
Journey on my friend in safety always!

ladyfarmerjed

January 18, 2012 09:34 AM

♥╔═══╦╗╔╗╔╦═══╦═══╦════╗♥
♥║╔═╗║║║║║║╔══╣╔══╣╔╗╔╗║♥
♥║╚══╣║║║║║╚══╣╚══╬╝║║╚╝♥
♥╚══╗║╚╝╚╝║╔══╣╔══╝─║║
♥║╚═╝╠╗╔╗╔╣╚══╣╚══╗─║║
♥╚═══╝╚╝╚╝╚═══╩═══╝─╚╝. Your memories are so timely here...

Algis Kemezys

January 19, 2012 04:38 AM

Good piece, Lea. As shocking as these disasters are, the odds of their happening are great. Thanks for reminding us. The is nothing more dangerous than driving in our on automobile. Rated.