New worries for cruising

Setar said. Florida-based Cruise Lines International Assn., the European Cruise Council in Britain and the Passenger Shipping Assn. in Brussels recently agreed to new procedures after the Concordia disaster: Passengers will be informed of safety protocols and emergency evacuation procedures before ships leave port.

Still, revenues are expected to increase this year and next, Setar said. The cruise industry is projected to bring in about $10.3 billion in the U.S. this year.

Some cruise industry observers disagree that the recent incidents will hamper the cruise industry. They say cruisers remain unshaken by recent problems involving Costa.

Arabella Bowen, executive editorial director of Fodor’s Travel, said cruisers who commented on the company’s website were aware of the Allegra incident but weren’t changing or canceling their travel plans.

Travel industry observer Mark Murphy said only first-timers might hesitate to go on a cruise because of recent events. He also noted that the big cruise lines have sound safety standards derived from years of experience. “When there has been an incident, they looked at their safety practices and taken it up a notch,” he said.

travel@latimes.com