Lifeboat Drill

[kenb]

It has been 4 years since my wife and I have been on a cruise. This time my wife will being using a scooter on our NCL Sun cruise in November. My question is how do they handle people on scooters during the lifeboat drill? If I remember correctly, you cannot use the elevators to get to your assigned lifeboat station.

[cb at sea]

You can get there BEFORE the drill is called...so you won't need to ask for assistance. When you board, find out what time the drill will be and where your station is, so you can navigate your way to the proper deck WITH the scooter! Doing it that way, you won't have to worry about elevators!

[bjboothman]

I've only sailed Princess and Carnival, and yes, able bodied people are not allowed to use the elevators during a drill. However, the staff stationed at the elevators always has allowed people with disabilities to use them, my husband travels with a scooter and hasn't had a problem --except that after the drill the elevators are open to all and he doesn't have a chance fighting the swarm of able bodied people who don't want to use the steps if they don't have to. So normally he finds a place to relax and I walk back up the steps to return our life jackets to the room and join him back downstairs later.

[PBC29]

I usually go early as the drill time is usually listed in the activities sheets and announced over the speakers. I've heard some lines allow you to watch it on tv but I'd rather see it live. Also gives the crew notice I'm supposed to be with them and they see how many chairs scooters they really have to deal with incase of emergency.

[windham depot]

Hi We just got back from a Carnival Cruise but, we've also cruised RC and Celebrity and they've all done the same thing. Yes as previously stated they allow special needs and anyone with them to use the elevator. As a Special needs person you should attend the drill like everyone else. They will send you and anyone accompanying you to a place on the ship with other special needs(last cruise we all gathered in the ships Library). Don't worry there will be plenty of ships people along the way to tell you where to go. Basically you just wait there until the drill is over. Actually they let you leave before the drill is over to give you a head start before everyone else. I am sure in a real emergency the ships people will tell us exactly where to go and what to do. You really should attend the drill so you know where to go if you have special needs. The ships people are really good about dealing with special needs. A hint about the elevators, it is not always easy to get on with a scooter or wheelchair, be patient and try just grabbing the first elevator no matter its direction. You will get where you are going. Lots of people use the elevator who could easily use the stairs, just breath and remember you are on vacation and have a good time.

 

 

Rhonda

[Dayenu]

I have mobility issues, and I don't remember ever taking stairs to the drill.

 

Getting off the ship at ports, on some of them, we had to wait till somebody took us down on the assigned elevator.

[scooterpopsnana]

Our last cruise was with Carnival. I use a scooter. We went to our muster station early. We were not required to have our life jacket.

[Ellmicron]

It has been 4 years since my wife and I have been on a cruise. This time my wife will being using a scooter on our NCL Sun cruise in November. My question is how do they handle people on scooters during the lifeboat drill? If I remember correctly, you cannot use the elevators to get to your assigned lifeboat station.

Some cruise lines hold the drill at the muster stations and others have passengers congregate in public areas such as the theater. Plan on attending the drill, with your life jacket, unless advised otherwise by a crew member. Crew members take roll and they will seek you out in your cabin if you aren't in attendance. Crew members are stationed at the elevators and they permit wheelchair users and a companion to use the lifts.

 

As with any event or activity where there are large numbers of passengers, the elevators will be packed afterward. This is something we must patiently deal with.

[Slitelyused]

We last sailed Carnival Conquest,,,they told us to just stay in our stateroom and turn the TV on,,we got muster instructions on the TV,,,,

[Tinknock50]

It has been 4 years since my wife and I have been on a cruise. This time my wife will being using a scooter on our NCL Sun cruise in November. My question is how do they handle people on scooters during the lifeboat drill? If I remember correctly, you cannot use the elevators to get to your assigned lifeboat station.

 

I know this is an old post, but which cabin were you in?

[DisneyKidsDad]

My family and I just came off the Disney Wonder last month. My daughter is in a wheelchair. We were not required to wear our lifejackets. We went down to our muster station early. The crew let us leave a few minutes early to grab an elevator.

[mdvlprof]

Were on DCL Fantasy in Dec. We mustered in theater. CM spoke to us personally about lifeboat issues/needs and put notes in her notebook.

 

Sometimes we've mustered on deck, sometimes in public areas, sometimes with everyone else, sometimes with other HC people and their companions.

We always arrive a few minutes early, and they've always dismissed us a few minutes early so we could get elevator.

[terrierjohn]

My family and I just came off the Disney Wonder last month. My daughter is in a wheelchair. We were not required to wear our lifejackets. We went down to our muster station early. The crew let us leave a few minutes early to grab an elevator.

Now that is one great idea that should be rolled out across all cruise lines.

Edited August 8, 2013 by terrierjohn

[xxoocruiser]

Now that is one great idea that should be rolled out across all cruise lines.

 

Any of the RCCL ships I've been on have always asked if I wanted to leave early to get an elevator.

[Acordant]

Now that is one great idea that should be rolled out across all cruise lines.

Most of the time, we were gathered into the Library or the theater and dismissed early to get a head start on the elevators. I have also, once, been told to just stay in the cabin and watch the TV. I've never been stopped from using the elevators while the drill was going on.

[glojo]

If we go early or sit in our room, then how do we know how to get to our emegency station when there might not be any power?

 

I am a big chap, tall and slim but still 16 stone and am in a wheelchair. I just feel that when I do an emergency drill it will be in my besyt interest to look, learn and listen. Hopefully if things ever do go wrong, I will at least have had the experience of what is required.

[Splinter]

The reality is if you are in your cabin in a true emergency, with no power, you are not going to be able to get anywhere on an elevator if you cannot walk and take the stairs. Most cruise lines say they would have crew available to carry you up/down stairs in the case of a necessary evacuation, and that they know which cabins have passengers who cannot walk. I would bet in an emergency such as that of the Costa Concordia that would not be possible. I have wondered how many of those who died in that disaster where mobility impaired.

 

We always just went early to the station indicated for us, and also planned to stay on that deck for some time after the drill, as it is impossible to get an elevator when every passenger on the ship is trying to get on them at the same time.

[ccruisequeen]

Most ships I've been on with my walker have lists of the disabled persons in their station. They tell us to wait in the muster station while they escort the able bodied to the boats. But you must contact guest services in advance. They will note the size of your scooter/chair, how mobile you are, and what you need.