Don't even think about skipping the Lifeboat Drill

[cdamion]

How does it work for little kids? Is there a separate muster drill for people with little ones? This is our first cruise with kids and now that I think about it, I don't remember seeing very little kids at our drills before.

 

They give kids the wrist bands at the muster drill, which has their muster station on it. Or they used to anyways, my kids are older teens now, so they don't get them anymore

[bethshebas]

I always thought it was the height of arrogance not to attend the muster. Like the rules don't apply to everyone. Sure it is a pain, but it is only for a brief time. Suck it up and just go.

 

amen to that

[cuteflyygirl]

Good! It's all fun and games until you're actually in need of that information! :)

[Micahs Grandad]

There's no doubt/question about them checking the rooms - they check EVERY one. Now as to how well they check them, that's up for discussion. I'd guess (yes, there's me assuming again! ;) ) that some stewards are less concerned than others (most are great, caring individuals).

 

Going forward, as they start requiring actual accounting, checking the rooms will take on less importance.

 

I've been reading the daily blog from Capt. Albert, who's on the HAL Koningsdam. It's been VERY interesting the last couple of weeks. They'll take delivery of this new ship (new class as well) at the end of this week. He's gone into a fair bit of detail about how the crew is helping finish the ship - fascinating. How they all first moved into guest cabins while theirs were being finished, then transitioned into theirs. How they started opening the buffet and dining rooms (for themselves) to gain experience, etc... NOW, back to my point in bringing this up!! Today was more about safety, and he did mention something about their guest safety briefing, so I thought it timely (see below):

 

With indoor mustering you report to an area in a public room that corresponds with your cabin number. There is crew in place to guide you all the way from your cabin to your assigned waiting area. Banners indicate the section you belong to.

 

The passenger mustering (Guest Safety Briefing) is completely different on this ship compared to the rest of the fleet as the Guests will now muster inside. So we have to retune the thinking of the crew completely to achieve this. It is not a matter of just marching from your cabin and then directly to you lifeboat. No from your cabin you go to your muster station, which is a public area, and then when your lifeboat is ready, you march from the Muster area to the lifeboat and walk straight into it. A sort of waiting comfortably for your taxi to arrive/be ready and when it is there, get up and hop in.

 

At the entrance of your mustering area there is a crew member who scans your cabin key card and then another crew member guides you to your seat.

 

 

BTW, even if you're not interested is sailing HAL, if you'd like to get a better handle regarding the final weeks of preparation before putting a new ship into service, this would be suggested reading !! :)

 

Tom

 

read a small section of the blog and very interesting. thanks for sharing it.:)

[smyliecruising]

Conquest was under lifeboats but Magic was in dining room.

[cv322]

I agree. As I am aging, and having back pain issues, I find it extremely difficult to stand in one place for more than 5 minutes without moving about some. Last year, last cruise, the muster took an incredibly long time, and I almost fainted from the pain. I am not normally one to ask for special assistance, but I fear that next cruise, I may have to ask for the special needs area for muster drill. Don't want to, but cant face the scenario again this year.

 

You don't have to! Simply report to the crew member in charge of your muster station & tell him/her that you have issues & they will direct you to a nearby seating area.

[Micahs Grandad]

Good! It's all fun and games until you're actually in need of that information! :)

 

So very true. Think they dont mean as much to people when they dont require you putting on your lifejacket.

[firemanbobswife]

So very true. Think they dont mean as much to people when they dont require you putting on your lifejacket.

 

Been there, done that - both ways. The main difference is that you sweat your a-word off even more with those bulky, hot, nasty lifejackets on. Totally unnecessary not to mention gross. Plus you're constantly bumping into people side to side and front to back. The only way I want to put one on again is in case of true emergency. Again, it's not rocket science to figure out how to do it.

[chengkp75]

Been there, done that - both ways. The main difference is that you sweat your a-word off even more with those bulky, hot, nasty lifejackets on. Totally unnecessary not to mention gross. Plus you're constantly bumping into people side to side and front to back. The only way I want to put one on again is in case of true emergency. Again, it's not rocket science to figure out how to do it.

 

And yet, you would not believe the number of folks who had their lifejackets on at drill (and the SOLAS type I jackets used on the ships are designed to turn an unconscious person face up) that had woven the straps in such a way that they would have been turned face down in the water. I'm just sayin'.

[lady_cruiser]

I just got off of the Breeze, and now they scan the Sail & Sign account cards as you enter your Muster Station. About 20 passengers didn't show up at our station, and they were all called out to report to the drill.

 

Glad to hear this. All I can say is its about time.

[firemanbobswife]

And yet, you would not believe the number of folks who had their lifejackets on at drill (and the SOLAS type I jackets used on the ships are designed to turn an unconscious person face up) that had woven the straps in such a way that they would have been turned face down in the water. I'm just sayin'.

 

 

Well you can't fix stupid I suppose.

[crusinpsychRN]

I was running late once to drill on Pride because of my toddler and the stewards where checking rooms. She opened our room and saw us there and waited with the door open tell we left. I was going to the station and I saw other stewards checking rooms.

 

I was just about to open my cabin door to go when the steward knocked and decided that was the perfect time to introduce himself and give me all his particulars. Really odd. I had waited a bit and now he was holding me up. Had to tell him I had to get to muster.

[DebJ14]

Carnival needs to hold the Muster drill in the public rooms instead of packing us like sardines under the life boats. Princess, Royal and Celebrity do it that way. Not sure about NCL, its been a while.

 

On our last 3 Royal Caribbean cruise we have had to stand out on deck under the lifeboats. On the Carnival Magic and Breeze our drills were in the main theater. On the Carnival Freedom we had to stand under the lifeboats for what seemed like the longest boat drill in history.

 

It is about time that Carnival scan the cards. RCCL and Princess have been doing it for years.

[chengkp75]

I was just about to open my cabin door to go when the steward knocked and decided that was the perfect time to introduce himself and give me all his particulars. Really odd. I had waited a bit and now he was holding me up. Had to tell him I had to get to muster.

 

A lot of the cabin stewards are not part of the passenger muster drill, so they pay little attention to it, sometimes. Unfortunately, they have also trained themselves to ignore the signal on turn-around day, which is fine in 90% of the time, but could have serious consequences just one time.

[mosaic_mom]

It is ok, joking aside. I realise this and it is my fear. Two years ago, I was able to stand and walk so much longer than now. I fear that I may not be able to travel much anymore, and especially cruise, which is my favorite vacation.

I have one more cruise booked for September, and will definitely go to the special need area for muster. I think, it also has to do with type of ship, as conquest class seems to be the only one to do it this way, yet also the type of ship that I continue to book. Thanks for the advice, and I will follow.

 

Oh, no. Please don't feel that way. When I started cruising, I had no issues. A few years later I was diagnosed with a condition affecting my legs and walking. Then came the walker. Used it on a cruise one time with great fear that it was going to be terrible. It wasn't. Last cruise came the wheelchair. There was fear again, but it turned out to be an awesome cruise. I do walk at times too, so I was able to get around just fine. Don't let your condition hold you back. Don't be afraid of using a walker or wheelchair if it will help your mobility. The crew was VERY helpful when I needed it. Registering with special needs is helpful too.

[SMSACE6]

Oh, no. Please don't feel that way. When I started cruising, I had no issues. A few years later I was diagnosed with a condition affecting my legs and walking. Then came the walker. Used it on a cruise one time with great fear that it was going to be terrible. It wasn't. Last cruise came the wheelchair. There was fear again, but it turned out to be an awesome cruise. I do walk at times too, so I was able to get around just fine. Don't let your condition hold you back. Don't be afraid of using a walker or wheelchair if it will help your mobility. The crew was VERY helpful when I needed it. Registering with special needs is helpful too.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. I am still ok, for now, it is just the standing or walking long distance that is a problem. I can manage mostly fine. I just notice a decline from year to year. And since I cruise solo and have only myself to rely on, I am just being realistic and for-seeing a day when solo cruise travel will not be an option for me anymore. I am definitely going to do the muster drill in special needs area though from now on.:) Thanks

[ccruisequeen]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am still ok, for now, it is just the standing or walking long distance that is a problem. I can manage mostly fine. I just notice a decline from year to year. And since I cruise solo and have only myself to rely on, I am just being realistic and for-seeing a day when solo cruise travel will not be an option for me anymore. I am definitely going to do the muster drill in special needs area though from now on.:) Thanks

 

I use a walker, and still travel solo. I check in with special needs on line, and they have me on their assistance list at muster drill. If needed I arrive at the station early, with a book in hand and people watch.

The crew is so helpful, and I've always been able to meet nice people. Participate to the best of your ability, and don't let any weaknesses get you down.

 

 

 

I no longer see carnival from my condo front porch :(

[SMSACE6]

Thank you Ccruisequeen! I am feeling better already about my upcoming cruise. I do appreciate the encouragement:)

[Saint Greg]

On Elation my muster training has been in the theater or comedy club. Then they take us to the lifeboat at the end so we know where it is. They won't start the training until everyone is there so it's impossible to skip it. One time we had to wait a looong time. They didn't scan cards. They counted until the number was right.

Edited March 29, 2016 by Saint Greg

[poison7fl]

I always thought it was the height of arrogance not to attend the muster. Like the rules don't apply to everyone. Sure it is a pain, but it is only for a brief time. Suck it up and just go.

 

The height of arrogance is thinking that teaching someone to wear a life preserver for 15 minutes is going to make a difference when people are in a panic... eh buttercup?

 

Besides, you have no idea why people miss it... so go, and don't worry about everyone else..

Edited March 29, 2016 by poison7fl

[kc58ab]

They did it this way when we sailed on the Dream this past November. Our particular meeting place was the Crimson MDR. Much more pleasant than out by the life boats!

 

Dream this month we were the same...much better!

[LadyBeBop]

The height of arrogance is thinking that teaching someone to wear a life preserver for 15 minutes is going to make a difference when people are in a panic... eh buttercup?

 

Besides, you have no idea why people miss it... so go, and don't worry about everyone else..

 

 

Here's the problem with that attitude. We all want to get on with our vacation. They won't start muster until everyone is there. Therefore, we have to wait until they round up everyone, then conduct muster before we can get on with our vacation.

 

So we are forced to worry about those who try to skip muster.

Edited March 29, 2016 by LadyBeBop

[KCCruisin']

We just did the Breeze and they scanned our cards as we entered one of the dinning rooms or lounges whichever you are assigned to. Now this was our 30 something cruise so we know the drill but I feel it's inadequate for people new to cruising or to those who don't pay attention. The panic that would come over everyone is to be expected and I would feel better knowing exactly where my life boat is and it's not in the dinning room. Not bringing your life jacket is another thing, now I hate carrying that thing and I hate it around my neck but I have at least experienced putting it on, how many of the newbies have and have they paid enough attention to do it (I mean those who are sitting there with their phones out and their drink in front of them). Just my opinions.

 

 

I agree with this wholeheartedly. If something did happen and the passengers had to evalcuate, they would be suing the cruise line because they weren't aware if their muster stations or how to put on the life jacket. Go to the muster, look at where you muster station will be located (information is also located on the back of your stateroom door). Safety and knowledge is crucial on the high seas and it's for our own good to be aware.

 

 

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[jh2360]

I mean, if an adult can't figure out how to put on a life jacket... Darwinism at its finest.

[firemanbobswife]

I agree with this wholeheartedly. If something did happen and the passengers had to evalcuate' date=' they would be suing the cruise line because they weren't aware if their muster stations or how to put on the life jacket. Go to the muster, look at where you muster station will be located (information is also located on the back of your stateroom door). Safety and knowledge is crucial on the high seas and it's for our own good to be aware.

 

 

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If you are told to report to the dining room for muster than that IS your muster station. You are NOT to go to your lifeboat! It was explained throughly in an earlier post. If you're confused about how to get there, perhaps you should pay attention to where you had muster drill to begin with. Repeat - WHERE you have your safety drill at is THE ONLY place you are to report to if the signal is given.

 

Yes, it is a good idea to locate where the lifeboats are and how to get there from your assigned muster station at your leisure in case once you arrive at your station visibility is reduced. But at no time should you go out to the lifeboats unless that is your assigned station and you are lead there by a crew member.

 

It's people that don't pay attention (or think they need to go to a lifeboat when they don't) to WHERE they are supposed to report - which is the exact spot that you are during the safety drill that are the true dangers.