Muster Drill - wait in cabin or not ??

On our recent Koningsdam TA....we were told to wait in our cabin, watch the video and then proceed to our muster site (Casino on 3rd) after the second alarm. It all worked well.....even tho 3 of the 4 elevators had been unavailable due to delivering luggage....and due to mobility issues we would have struggled trying to use the stairs...

On previous HAL cruises....we would go to the promenade deck a bit early so we could lean against the wall as we waited for all the stragglers to arrive....

My DH also uses a cane and has some mobility issues......he will be going on an Alaska cruise in the next few weeks....should he......

1. Wait in the cabin and hope to get an elevator to the promenade deck....or...

2. Go to the promenade deck early....and wait......or....

3. Ask for a handicap/disable area to muster....?? Who do you ask.....?? Would he go alone....or would his traveling partner also be allowed to stay with him.....??

Thanks....!!!

Once you board the ship, go to Guest Services and talk to them. I'm confident they will have an accommodation that will meet your needs.

I would ask HAL since it is them that make the rules about mustering. :)

You may have to ask two or three different HAL people to get the right answer, though.

I would ask HAL since it is them that make the rules about mustering. :)

You may have to ask two ir three different HAL people to get the right answer, though.

I would wait and ask on board and not bother to call in advance. From the various muster drill threads, I get the impression that different ships have different ways to handle people who need special accommodation for the drill.

On my last HAL cruise (Eurodam, December 2017) during muster my mother was permitted to go to special seats for accommodation due to physical limitations. It was made perfectly clear that I was absolutely NOT allowed to accompany her. (Which I didn't have a problem with and went out on the promenade). *The way they told us made it seem that many who are well abled try to go with their travel companions who need the accommodation and that it is just not going to happen.

Ask when you are on the ship. Why would you need to not attend drill yourself? Can your Mom not remain alone safely seated wherever she is told to sit? Surely you won't be by her side every moment of your cruise? It is important you attend drill. I seriously doubt you would be excused from drill without more of a reason than presented here.

On my last HAL cruise (Eurodam, December 2017) during muster my mother was permitted to go to special seats for accommodation due to physical limitations. It was made perfectly clear that I was absolutely NOT allowed to accompany her. (Which I didn't have a problem with and went out on the promenade). *The way they told us made it seem that many who are well abled try to go with their travel companions who need the accommodation and that it is just not going to happen.

Great....!! He is actually traveling with two other people....so that's good to know....

Did you go to Guest Services to arrange this prior to the muster.....???

What happens if you just hang around the muster area till the second alarm sounds? do they send you to your cabin for being bad and not doing as you were told. Not trying to be funny but if everyone goes to their cabin you would never get to the muster drill on time if the elevators are not all working. DW cannot do a lot of stairs.

What happens if you just hang around the muster area till the second alarm sounds? do they send you to your cabin for being bad and not doing as you were told. Not trying to be funny but if everyone goes to their cabin you would never get to the muster drill on time if the elevators are not all working. DW cannot do a lot of stairs.

We've done that in the past, but now that they have the three-stage process we've followed the instructions. One reason to to to your muster area from your cabin during the drill is if your route is through crew areas, you really should have a look at where you might be going in an emergency. The route from the stern of the Vistas does this, and we felt better knowing what our route would be.

The drills are not held as an annoyance to g guest. s. I hope all her realize how important they are and behave accordingly

Other preson's safety can depend upon how well you react and know what to do in an emergency. Without those drills, could be a horrible scene. That could be the case even with the drills. BE there.

What happens if you just hang around the muster area till the second alarm sounds? do they send you to your cabin for being bad and not doing as you were told. Not trying to be funny but if everyone goes to their cabin you would never get to the muster drill on time if the elevators are not all working. DW cannot do a lot of stairs.

The first time HAL started this new 1 -2- 3 system, we thought we could sit in the Ocean Bar and then go to out assigned area -- I use a Rollator. Nope -- we were told to go back to our cabin, We did and it took forever to get an elevator to get back down to our muster station -- we were among the last to arrive.

We didn't let that happen again.

The first time HAL started this new 1 -2- 3 system, we thought we could sit in the Ocean Bar and then go to out assigned area -- I use a Rollator. Nope -- we were told to go back to our cabin, We did and it took forever to get an elevator to get back down to our muster station -- we were among the last to arrive.

We didn't let that happen again.

How do you manage it now, KK?

I certainly don't blame you for trying to find a plan that works better for you

HAL has a 3-stage emergency protocol, and it is incumbent on everyone to follow instructions to the letter when an emergency arises. In the event of a true emergency, that is the only way things will run as smoothly as possible.

Practice during the drill is the only way to instruct us so we have a chance of knowing what to do. That means at stage 2, return to your cabin, and don't go to your muster station until instructed to do so.

For the disabled, there are special stations on at least some of the ships, where they receive their instructions during stage 3. In my experience, other ships have a different protocol. Those who need assistance should check with the Front Desk before the drill to be sure they are listed for receiving help, and to learn what to do.

Since I wait until instructed to go to the muster station, I never have a problem getting an elevator quickly. Frequently the Traffic Director sees me coming and presses the call button before I even get there.

Good points about knowing the route during the drill. On the Oosterdam we had an unusual route from our aft cabin, so I am glad we did it. When we were on the Koningsdam however, our station was the casino, so I KNEW we would easily find the shortest route to that!! (got lots of practice).

Good points about knowing the route during the drill. On the Oosterdam we had an unusual route from our aft cabin, so I am glad we did it. When we were on the Koningsdam however, our station was the casino, so I KNEW we would easily find the shortest route to that!! (got lots of practice).

(bold is mine) Crew stairway and through the kitchen? That's been our route at the back of a Vista.

How do you manage it now, KK?

 

 

I certainly don't blame you for trying to find a plan that works better for you

Last couple of cruises, concierge made arrangements via the front office to meet with someone in the Ocean Bar -- one time it was the nurse and the other 2 times it was with an officer (I think). DH got to stay with me as he can not stand for long periods of time because of his Parkinson's having gotten worse. 30 minutes for a lifeboat drill is too long.

Last couple of cruises, concierge made arrangements via the front office to meet with someone in the Ocean Bar -- one time it was the nurse and the other 2 times it was with an officer (I think). DH got to stay with me as he can not stand for long periods of time because of his Parkinson's having gotten worse. 30 minutes for a lifeboat drill is too long.

Good you were able to arrange a plan that works for you and D H I' m sorry to read his Parkinsons has pro gressed. Hopfeully he'll continue to do well enough to con tinue t raveling.

Last cruise I had with my DH he had to use a wheelchair for anything more than walking ten to fifteen feet and could not stand still.. I was pushing his transport chair and they let me stay with hiM AT oean bar so I was available to help with his needs.

(bold is mine) Crew stairway and through the kitchen? That's been our route at the back of a Vista.

yes

HAL has a 3-stage emergency protocol, and it is incumbent on everyone to follow instructions to the letter when an emergency arises. In the event of a true emergency, that is the only way things will run as smoothly as possible.

Practice during the drill is the only way to instruct us so we have a chance of knowing what to do. That means at stage 2, return to your cabin, and don't go to your muster station until instructed to do so.

 

For the disabled, there are special stations on at least some of the ships, where they receive their instructions during stage 3. In my experience, other ships have a different protocol. Those who need assistance should check with the Front Desk before the drill to be sure they are listed for receiving help, and to learn what to do.

Since I wait until instructed to go to the muster station, I never have a problem getting an elevator quickly. Frequently the Traffic Director sees me coming and presses the call button before I even get there.

Have you watched a video on the cabin TV prior to the muster....?? We had to on the Koningsdam....

I wish all the ships had the same process....it's hard to know what is expected.....

On our recent Zuiderdam cruise, I was very concerned about trying to do stairs when they were full of people. So I did go to Ocean Bar at Step One. I didn't need to worry. I should have just followed the directions, and, yes, I would have been able to get the elevator to descend to Deck Three. The folks at Ocean Bar instructed me to check in with the Commander at my muster station, then return to Ocean Bar.

HAL has a 3-stage emergency protocol, and it is incumbent on everyone to follow instructions to the letter when an emergency arises. In the event of a true emergency, that is the only way things will run as smoothly as possible.

Practice during the drill is the only way to instruct us so we have a chance of knowing what to do. That means at stage 2, return to your cabin, and don't go to your muster station until instructed to do so.

 

For the disabled, there are special stations on at least some of the ships, where they receive their instructions during stage 3. In my experience, other ships have a different protocol. Those who need assistance should check with the Front Desk before the drill to be sure they are listed for receiving help, and to learn what to do.

Since I wait until instructed to go to the muster station, I never have a problem getting an elevator quickly. Frequently the Traffic Director sees me coming and presses the call button before I even get there.

Thank you for this update. DW has had two knee replacements (one just a month ago) and walks fairly well, but stairs are a problem and certainly in an emergency it is going to be a serious problem for us. So we will check in at the front desk when we board Koningsdam this October for assistance.