The woman in the video stressed that there was an “electrical problem”  which the crew had finished addressing.  She insisted everthing was under control.

No doubt this video will become evidence in any upcoming litigation against Costa Cruise Lines and its parent company Carnival Cruise Lines. The cruise lines immediately tried to pin the blame soley on the capain, saying he acted recklessly, and independent of cruise authority.  However, this video seems to show a more systematic breakdown of order.

The exact number of deceased is not known, but about 20 passengers remain unaccounted for.

During a press conference on Monday, Coasta Cruise Lines CEO Pier Luigi Foschi insisted that the ship had passed all safety inspections in its most recent safety evaluation in 2011. 

Images  of the ship listing badly, partially submerged, were broadcast over around the world over the weekend.  Still Foschi says he does not know ¨ whether the (boat) will be considered a total loss.¨

The ship ran aground in the port area of Giglio on Friday, causing the evacuation of the passengers and crew, about 4,200 people in all.  There have been numerous news reports that passengers felt that ¨no one was in charge,¨ and the the crew did now know how to handle the accident. 

Additionally, there are claims that the capain abandonded the ship without following proper safety procedures.  The captain and firts offiicer of the ship have been arrested.

Primary Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204555904577164310019563418.html?mod=googlenews_wsj#

It seems that the plumbing problems lead to what passengers are calling bad smells and poor hygiene on the ship.  As MSNBC reports:

The claims relate to issues with the plumbing and the resulting smells, as well as the air conditioning and, separately, standards of food hygiene. No-win, no-fee law firm Irwin Mitchell, which handles a lot of high-profile holiday claims, has, according to the report, advised disgruntled passengers that they may be able to claim back 70 percent of the cost of their holidays.

This is not the first time a cruise ship has been cited by passengers for poor hygiene.  We reported recently that Royal Caribbean’s “Monarch of the Seas” failed a  surprise CDC inspection in November.

It is VERY important that each person considering a cruise vacation thoroughly review their choice online and by talking to others.

One thing that strikes me is how committed they citizens groups are.  We have blogged about the ongoing spat, and we have been contacted numerous times by representatives to ensure that we have the full story and that our reporting is correct.  That kind of dedication will surely help their cause.

Still, we are living in a time of tough economic pressures, and when you position a big business (revenue and jobs) against citizen´s groups, many would prefer to sell out to the big business for the sake of the economic boon it brings.  But, all that glitters is not gold.

If Carnival brings with it traffic and pollution, and at the same time it disrupts the natural order and scenic beauty of a historic city, perhaps the costs outweight the benefits.

2012 will probably bring more of the same.  People inhabit almost every corner of the globe.  It is almost impossible for a natural disaster to strike and no one be affected.  The fact is that the earth is a dynamic planet, one this not fully understood by our best experts.

Whether the continuing geological situation will affect the world economy and world travel is anther story.  This is much harder to predict.  It seems that after many years of harsh economic times, Americans are looking to start traveling again.  But, all of this can change suddenly due to a varity of factors, including natural disasters.

But, we are still Americans.  Though we get a bum rap in the Western world for not taking enough vacations, we still like to get away every now and then.  The combinations of factors, the economy and American´s need for some of the finer things in life, will push more and more of us to go on bargain basement cruises this year.

Throwing caution to the wind, we predict that Americans will file on to cruise ships in record numbers.  They will pack themselves like sardines into the tiny state-rooms, and dance the night away in the manufactured ambiance of a mega-ship.

If you decide to be among cruisers this year, be warned.  Cruise lines have a facade, behind which is often unsanitary conditions for food preparation and the handling of eating utensils, and linens.  Ourtbreaks of disease is rampant, with Norovirus being amoung the worse offenders.  Sexual predators cruise (pun intended) the ships looking for easy prey.  And U.S. laws may not offer you any protection while you are out of the country.

Every year we decide to lose weight, save more money, take more chances and go for bigger goals.  Then, life happens.  It may be as simple as a bad day that throws us off course, or it may be something far more serious, such as loss of work, an injury, or even death. 

No matter what, we have to keep fighting.  We have to fight to be better people.  We have to fight for a better tomorrow.  Never forget these simple words “We fall down, but we get up.”

We here at Hickey Law Frim have been fighting for years to help people get their lives back.  They have been injured in auto accidents.  They have been injured on cruise ships.  They have been sexually assualuted, or even raped.   They have all taken a fall, we help them get back up.

This New Year- celebrate, enjoy with your family and friends.  Pepare yourself for the hard work that the year will bring.  Make your resolutions.  And remember, though tough times will come, you can do it if you refuse to stay down.

Happy New Year!

Hickey is a Past President of the Dade County Bar Association.  He is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by The Florida Bar and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and has been rated A/V- the highest rating possible—by the international directory of attorneys, Martindale Hubbell, continuously since 1984.  Hickey is the lead trial attorney and founder of Hickey Law Firm, P.A. in Miami, Florida, where he has practiced law for more than 31 years.  He and the other 2 lawyers at the firm practice in the areas of cruise ship accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death, product liability, and complex commercial litigation.  Hickey graduated from Florida State University, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and from Duke University School of Law.

Hickey is a Past President of the Dade County Bar Association.  He is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by The Florida Bar and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and has been rated A/V- the highest rating possible—by the international directory of attorneys, Martindale Hubbell, continuously since 1984.  Hickey is the lead trial attorney and founder of Hickey Law Firm, P.A. in Miami, Florida, where he has practiced law for more than 31 years.  He and the other 2 lawyers at the firm practice in the areas of cruise ship accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death, product liability, and complex commercial litigation.  Hickey graduated from Florida State University, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and from Duke University School of Law.

We encourage everyone not to forget about the little guy this holiday season.  Most of us in this county have it relatively well, the current financial situation of the country notwithstanding.  But, there are still millions of lonely, hungry, and down trodden, out there, who could use a helping hand.  Let’s not forget about them this holiday season.

Our work is to help those who have been injured, sexually assaulted, or otherwise wronged, on cruise ships all across the world.  We see it as our mission to help bring a little justice to the world.  We feel we are helping to protect the little guy.

But, we are just a part of the equation.  Volunteering, donating, and just having a nice word to say all work wonders.  Let’s take this holiday season to count our blessings, and commit to continuing to make the world a better place.

Happy Holidays!