Following the Sea Diamond incident in Greece last week, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) wants to reiterate its commitment to safety and security. Although Louis Cruise Lines is not a CLIA member, we’re aware that the broad media coverage of the incident may raise questions from your clients regarding overall safety issues. CLIA and its member lines place the safety and security of our passengers and crew as our highest priority.

Below is information on what the cruise industry does to ensure safety that we hope you find useful in answering client questions and concerns.

The occurrence of any cruise vessel collision incident is rare in and of itself. For the ship to have such extensive hull damage and sink is extraordinarily rare.
Overall, the cruise industry maintains an excellent safety record. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, cruising today is one of the safest ways to travel.
At the beginning of every cruise, passengers attend a mandatory muster station drill. During this drill, passengers learn where to go and what to do in case of emergency.

All crewmembers are trained and drilled regularly in safety procedures in accordance with international regulations and know what to do in case of an emergency.

For ships calling on U.S. ports, the U.S. Coast Guard conducts inspections to assure compliance with safety regulations. Part of a Coast Guard inspection includes overseeing fire and abandon-ship drills conducted by the ships’ crew, including a practice launch of the lifeboats.

The cruise industry complies with all international safety standards governing the operation of cruise vessels worldwide, including the Convention of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). In accordance with these regulations, cruise ships are designed to withstand and minimize damage with watertight compartments and fire zones.
As an industry standard, each CLIA member cruise ship provides additional lifejackets on board in excess of the number required by international regulations.

Cruise ships regularly use local pilots, trained mariners who are most familiar with waterways surrounding a port, to safely steer the ship into and out of the area.

This incident has touched many lives and it certainly was a daunting time for those on board, as we have seen in media reports. The cruise industry is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable vacation and we ask for your help to allay public concern over the safety of cruising. As you know, cruising is an extremely safe as well as the best vacation value available and by working together, that will continue.