Top 10 Meeting Industry News Stories of 2012

2. Costa Concordia Disaster

The world watched in horror the tragedy of the Costa Concordia, which struck rock and capsized off the coast of Isola del Giglio in Italy on January 13, killing 32 people. Cruise Lines International Association has since announced a number of new safety policies for its members, including mandating that the required emergency drill take place prior to departure; having the number of life jackets on board exceed the number of passengers; and a new Nationality of Passengers policy, which prescribes that the nationality of each passenger on board be recorded and readily available in a rescue situation. The incident also shed light on the practice of “sail-pasts” close to land, resulting in some cruise lines relieving their captains from duty.