Cruise lines react to Costa Concordia disaster

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Ron Pradinuk / Winnipeg Free Press Cruise lines have introduced new safety measures in the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster.

This week's questions reflect the level of interest in global issues and destinations.

QUESTION: After the cruise disaster off the Italian coast, there was lots of talk by the cruise industry to improve safety. Has anything been done in that regard?

ANSWER: For the most part, the cruise industry's safety standard has been excellent.

Nevertheless that deadly incident was a major wake-up call to cruise companies and the International Association (CLIA) to which they belong.

They still are working on new procedures and policies but have announced two that will be implemented immediately.

A Nationality of Passengers policy will be readily available to search-and-rescue workers. And 12 specific common elements must be communicated to passengers during the muster process.

There has been some initial agreement the safety drills should be performed before the ships depart, rather than when the ships are already at sea.

At the same time, on cruises I have taken I have noted an almost lackadaisical attitude during the muster process with passengers only half listening, seemingly not taking the safety demonstrations seriously.

All current safety policies as set out by the cruise line industry can be seen at http://cruising.org/regulatory/cruise-industry-policies.

QUESTION: We are about to make our visit to China. We are in the final planning process and wonder if you have any advice?

Answer: Much has changed followingthe Beijing Olympics and China's emergence as a major economic powerhouse.

Some of the best advice I give to people considering a trip to a destination they have never visited before is to consult guidebooks. While you can search much of the major guidebook information online, I still prefer the hardcover version.

On many occasions I have used the long plane trip to review customs and sites. The Lonely Planet guidebook makes some excellent recommendations.

It suggests visitors consider taking a Mandarin class ahead of time to become familiar with the language, the cadence, and some important phrases.

While I think this is an excellent consideration, the least one should do is study a phrase book to capture a sense of the pronunciation and a feel for those phrases about transportation, accommodation and dining.

Most of the guidebooks have voice translator apps that can be loaded onto mobile devices.

Visiting China is like visiting Canada. Take into account the duration of your stay and plan your itinerary around a region you will be able to properly explore in the time you have available.

China is huge, with major temperature variations depending upon the provinces you visit.

Attempting to take in too much would be similar to someone coming to Canada with the hope they can visit it all from coast to coast in a two-week period.

Lonely Planet encourages the use of public transportation as much as possible, and gives it favourable reviews for efficiency and costs.

Lonely Planet gives rave reviews to dining experiences in China.

There are different taste influences as you travel from region to region but the food makes you want more, and they are anxious to please foreigners who visit their restaurants.

QUESTION: I understand many countries have started to promote medical tourism in countries such as the United States where health care is so expensive.

What is the situation regarding dental work and other procedures we here in Canada might take advantage of if we have such problems?

ANSWER: Canadians are taking advantage of a number of procedures offered in countries that have focused on this tourism sector. Many have created world-class facilities and are attracting top-notch physicians, many of them educated in the United States.

However, they are not all equal and you need to do significant research to make sure you are not jeopardizing your health.

I have heard positive reports about dental work done in Costa Rica but you still need to make sure you follow up on reviews before you commit to a foreign dentist.

With long waits for certain procedures such as knee surgery some Canadians are choosing to make the extra financial investment to have the work they require done sooner rather than later.

Laparoscopic and cosmetic surgery are two of the most popular reasons U.S. and Canadian residents seek qualified and experienced practitioners in countries around the world.

Forward your travel questions to askjourneys@journeystravel.com . Ron Pradinuk is president of Journeys Travel & Leisure SuperCentre and can be heard Sundays at noon on CJOB. Previous columns and tips can be found on www.journeystravelgear.com or read Ron's travel blog at www.thattravelguy.ca .

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 21, 2012 D4