On Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:57:14 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

In a practiced situation there would have been a lot of things done
differently. There was probably no lifeboat drill like you have today
(even that regulation was changed just a few months ago due to the
Concordia).

The drill may be new for that company, but cruises (5) I've been on in
the past 12 years have a lifeboat drill shortly after sailing outside
the port channel. You have some snacks while the luggage is delivered
and then the drill starts. A mandatory drill. Passengers are not
released until every passenger is present. and accounted for. You
bring your life floatation device with you from the cabin. You have
an assigned deck assembly area, specific to the lifeboat.

....just sayin'