txmom,
First of all, I am glad to hear you and yours are okay. Secondly, thanks for a rational first hand report. It is nice to read a balanced account of the event...no pun intended.
It was one of those things where there was no time to warn the passengers. The bridge had to immediately take evasive action.
And of course, I've already read posts on other boards where people on your cruise are asking for compensation.