JudyA. Posted September 2, 2011 #1 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I would like to skip that safety meeting they have the very first day..is it called a muster drill? I can't recall what times they ran it on previous cruises, but I would definately like to board AFTER it, if possible. Does anyone know what time we should board to skip the muster drill? Or would they just make us do a make-up drill if we missed it the first time around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcward89 Posted September 2, 2011 #2 Share Posted September 2, 2011 If I remember correctly, muster drill takes place after the ship is underway...and I also think it is a requirement that all passengers participate, like it or not. I know we have had an extra long drill before due to the staff having to hunt down some passengers in our group who were trying to duck out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aohkay Posted September 2, 2011 #3 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Please do yourselves a favour and be on time for muster. My girlfriend and I took our time (must have a glass of wine first:)) getting there, but we were absolutely horrified to find out that muster will not start before everyone arrives. The whole room was silent when we entered and we had hundreds of eyes upon us; I still have scars on my back where the swords entered! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare What A Market Posted September 2, 2011 #4 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Don't know if it is typical, but on our Marina cruise this summer we missed the muster drill by boarding at just over an hour before departure. I would gladly go through multiple life boat drills before cutting it that close again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebobh Posted September 2, 2011 #5 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Muster drills are often longer because staff is tracking down missing passengers and checking their staterooms. Although it is theoretically possible to hide and avoid it, it is probably more trouble than it is worth. The Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) requirements of the Intl Maritime Org require that any ship with passengers who will be onboard for more than a day to have a muster drill within the first 24 hours. The drill must include how to don and operate your lifejacket, and what to do in case of an emergency. It must include all passengers, which is why they do a roster check & keep that info for audit purposes. Of course, most of us just love wearing all those cool lifejackets, and pay about as much attention as we do to airline safety instructions (which are also required for every flight). At the same time, the procedures were created in 1914, so you can consider your participation as a part of the longstanding homage to those who perished on The Titanic if you wish. Regards, Bob H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 2, 2011 #6 Share Posted September 2, 2011 If you are on Marina you no longer need to bring the life jacket but PLEASE show up You just hold up everyone up by trying to skip out.... it is 15 minutes out of your life that may save your life in an emergency situation What happens in case of a real emergency.... will you be one running around knocking others out of your way to get off the ship :eek: Give all your shipmates a break get there on time Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted September 2, 2011 #7 Share Posted September 2, 2011 JudyA - Just do it. It is for your protection. Have you ever come close to a ship or boat capsizing? Are you invincible? As I recall, you will be made to report to a special drill if you do not show up--and good for the Ship's staff for doing that. As you can tell, I feel very strongly about that. They do this for your protection. I'd really like to know your reasoning as why you are so special that you should not have to attend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddmel Posted September 2, 2011 #8 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Besides being mandated, the muster drill reminds all that the sea can be a very unforgiving environment. As they say "Prepare for the worst and hope for the best". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted September 3, 2011 #9 Share Posted September 3, 2011 We missed the drill when leaving on a TA from Miami (March 2009) because we'd been sitting at the Passport Bureau most of the afternoon trying to replace my missing passport. Actually, it had been ready but I had been told to just go downstairs and WAIT for my name to be called, but downstairs THEY thought I should report in. When I finally asked about it (since sail time was close) they told me they'd had my passport for over an hour. Great. But we were close to the ship and got there in time, as did another passenger who'd been snowbound in Boston and had just arrived. Because of our late arrival they allowed us to skip the drill. It was happening about the time we boarded. But it is true... it's not a big deal and I don't care how many drills you have gone through, it doesn't hurt to refresh your memory. I don't think there is any way you can to told when to arrive so as to MISS the drill. Surprise, surprise, on one of our Oceania cruises they didn't hold the drill until the next day. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyA. Posted September 3, 2011 Author #10 Share Posted September 3, 2011 OK, ok! you guys made me laugh. We will NOT skip the muster drill because I sure wouldn't want to inconvenience and alienate my fellow passengers right off the bat. I thought I recalled that it took place before the ship left port, but maybe not. I will be sure to be there. Thanks for the advice. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andee Posted September 3, 2011 #11 Share Posted September 3, 2011 We boarded the Regatta in Venice, then went out sightseeing, not worrying about what time we got back, as the ship was docked in Venice overnight. We, unknowingly, missed the muster drill, and found written instructions about what to do in an emergency in our cabin when we got back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted September 3, 2011 #12 Share Posted September 3, 2011 OK, ok! you guys made me laugh. We will NOT skip the muster drill because I sure wouldn't want to inconvenience and alienate my fellow passengers right off the bat. I thought I recalled that it took place before the ship left port, but maybe not. I will be sure to be there. Thanks for the advice. :) LOL, Judy. I think it usually does ... or right after leaving. But SOMETIMES there are exceptions. We are leaving Civitavecchia on October 21st at 10pm ... and we have been told the drill will be held at 5pm. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's the information we have. If the info is correct, I think it's possible that lots of people will miss the drill. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 3, 2011 #13 Share Posted September 3, 2011 LOL, Judy. I think it usually does ... or right after leaving. But SOMETIMES there are exceptions. We are leaving Civitavecchia on October 21st at 10pm ... and we have been told the drill will be held at 5pm. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's the information we have. If the info is correct, I think it's possible that lots of people will miss the drill. Mura Last cruise we had the drill the next morning so you never know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKS Posted September 3, 2011 #14 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Aboard Marina's maiden voyage crew were taking names, and we were told those who did not appear would be given a separate required drill. I wouldn't like to be part of that! Wearing, or carrying, your bright orange vest and traipsing through the ship all by yourself? How embarrassing!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condocat Posted September 3, 2011 #15 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Bottomline, these drills are for YOUR safety and protection. If anyone hates them that much, vacation on land to avoid them all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Understood Posted September 3, 2011 #16 Share Posted September 3, 2011 We were boarding Azamara in Venice where it was overnighting. Since we arrived the day ahead and spent the night in a hotel and being no hurry to we just sauntered on the ship about 5 pm, only to be told that we had missed the muster drill and would now have to report at 6pm for the make-up. Well we reported as did the 6 or 8 other tardy folks and no one from the ship showed up to conduct the drill. We had tickets to a concert that night so after waitng 30 minutes we left and never did do one and never did hear from anyone about the make-up one. I never would have intentionally skipped the muster but this was done on the technical first day of the cruise but while the ship was in port and not sailing until the following day! ------------------------ Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candbgirl Posted September 3, 2011 #17 Share Posted September 3, 2011 So do we have to take the life vests with us to the drill? On the last several cruises we have taken we didn't have to carry them with us when we attended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted September 4, 2011 #18 Share Posted September 4, 2011 So do we have to take the life vests with us to the drill? On the last several cruises we have taken we didn't have to carry them with us when we attended. You must carry them, but you don't have to put it on, any longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candbgirl Posted September 4, 2011 #19 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Thanks for the response. Is the drill on deck or in one of the other venues? On one cruise I was assigned to the Casino for my drill. I couldn't see or hear one thing that was said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TERRIER1 Posted September 4, 2011 #20 Share Posted September 4, 2011 They take attendance so you need to show up or get detention (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 4, 2011 #21 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Thanks for the response. Is the drill on deck or in one of the other venues? On one cruise I was assigned to the Casino for my drill. I couldn't see or hear one thing that was said. Depends where your muster station is...I think the GDR & the lounge are the 2 they have on the R-ship we have always had the GDR Marina we had the GDR also If on the R-ship you do go outside after everyone is checked in Marina you do not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motheroftwoboys Posted September 4, 2011 #22 Share Posted September 4, 2011 On Nautica recently the drill was the second day, before we sailed but after the time you had to be back on board. We all assembled in the dining room then went out to our muster stations. Not a chance of trying to escape it. all public areas are cleared and cabins are checked. We had to wait while a few passengers were rounded up and it must have been very embarrassing for them. I think a few people clapped when they eventually turned up. We did wear our life jackets though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candbgirl Posted September 4, 2011 #23 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Thanks again for the response. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trina2 Posted September 8, 2011 #24 Share Posted September 8, 2011 You must carry them, but you don't have to put it on, any longer. That's a shame - on our cruise it was compulsory. Considering this cruise had 80% returning* passengers, I was amazed at how many were unable to put on their lifejackets properly (and I don't mean physically unable) - there seemed to be a surprisingly large number who were having trouble figuring out how to put them on. *I don't know if this is the right term - I mean passengers who have sailed with Oceania before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie1 Posted September 9, 2011 #25 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Just arrived back from the Aug 26th Marina cruise. We had to bring our life jackets (did not have to wear them). Our drill was at 5:30pm, and our ship did not depart until 8 pm that evening. So in our case, we did the drill before leaving port. just an fyi. ~A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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