The Italian cruise ship disaster and its impact on the industry

It's always said that out of tragedy comes opportunity. Right now, there's a phenomenal opportunity as we're still cleaning up after the terrible tragedy of the cruise accident in Europe.

So often, when an accident happens, you shake your head at the senselessness. The tragedy of the Carnival-owned cruise ship that flipped on its side off the coast of Italy is a perfect example.

While we still don't know the total body count at this writing, we know the price paid by those who lost their lives. For those who escaped and survived, it amounted to a horribly ruined trip. But for the cruise industry, it's a big black eye at a vulnerable time.

The industry as a whole has overbuilt with too many mega-ships sailing around the world. Right now, we are in the midst of 'wave season' when the cruise industry books as much as half of all cruise cabins for the remainder of year. Those cabins that don't get booked now will have to be discounted later in the year or go empty.

If you are a cruise person, I'm expecting that cruising will be the safest thing you can possibly do for the next couple of years. Crews will get significant emergency training after the eyewitness reports that the Costa Concordia crew had no idea how to deal with an emergency.

This is such a sensitive issue, but I have to say that when others zig, it's time for you to zag. If you love cruising, the deals will be significantly better if you shop around over the next three-week period while the industry reels from this tragedy.

Remember, this was a freak occurrence. If you were considering a cruise in your future, don't be discouraged from pursuing and enjoying one.