Cruising AFTER the Concordia Shipwreck

Trying on a life jacket on Liberty of the Seas

Just a few weeks after the horrific, unbelievably frightening Costa Concordia shipwreck, D&B boarded a mega cruise ship for a five day cruise on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Sea.

Unlike the Costa cruise lines, Royal Caribbean ships gather passengers BEFORE a ship sails for the life boat drill.

At our drill, we learned how to put on a life jacket even though we didn't have our life jackets with us. (Passengers are instructed to leave the jackets in their staterooms.) We were told what to do if we had to abandon the ship (Screaming wildly and fighting to get on a life boat were not options we were given.)

What was most disappointing was that we seemed to be the only ones around us who took the drill seriously. We listened and watched but the people next to us weren't paying attention at all. They were too busy giggling, taking pictures and downing beers and umbrella drinks to hear any instructions.

Of course, had the ship had any problems, those 'who were too busy to the drill' would probably have been the ones in a panic. We, on the other hand, would be calm and collected...or at least we would know how to put on a life jacket.

The morale of this story is that life boat drills should be taken seriously...what you learn there could save your life.

Lessons Learned from Sinking of Costa Concordia

Costa Concordia sinks off coast of Italy  
(A Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Image)

We've been on a few cruises...make that over 70 cruises. In fact, we are off on another cruise next week. After watching the sinking nightmare on the Costa Concordia, we know that what we once thought was 'impossible' can happen.

To be better prepared for 'what could happen,' we've put together a list of lessons we learned from Costa Concordia disaster:

1. If the ship doesn't have a life boat drill within the first 2 hours after the ship sails, have your own drill. Find your muster station. Check out the life boats.
2. Once on board, determine what to do in an emergency. Make plans with fellow travelers on where to go, where to meet, what to do.
3. Pack a flash light...preferably a water proof one.
4. If the lights go out for over 15 minutes, worry.
5. Try on your life jacket and make sure you know how to tie the ties and snap the snaps.
6. Keep your passport and a credit card in one of those 'wearable' wallets that strap on the waist or hang from the neck.
7. Don't book a room on Deck 2 or 3. While the rates are cheaper for the lower decks, paying extra could be a life saver.
8. If you see the Captain at a bar drinking while you are sailing, stop and ask him, "Who is driving the ship?"
9. Even though you're sailing in the Caribbean or other warm waters, pack long pants and a sweater. It gets cold in a life boat at night!
10. And finally, brush up on your swimming skills...you might literally have to "swim for your life."