Cruise companies in the U.S. and Europe have agreed to a universal rule change in response to the deadly Costa Concordia disaster in Italy.

According to USA Today, Cruise Lines International Association and the European Cruise Council have decided passengers must be given safety instructions immediately after they board a cruise ship. 

Previously, each company had its own policy for delivering safety instructions to passengers.  The United Nations previously required cruise ship companies to give safety briefings within 24 hours of departure.

According to USA Today, nearly 700 passengers aboard the Costa Concordia had not received safety instructions before the cruise ship crashed.