Muster drill

[kimberlym4]

OP here. Back from our all too short cruise! We managed muster and did relax and party. Will do a review soon. Have great things to say about Carnival overall. About muster though...I wish there were a way to show a video on a loop in the terminal while waiting to board. Could scan passes to show you watched. You wouldn't see your exact muster station but given that I went to ours soon after boarding I could not tell you how I got there! If there was an emergency I would check my pass for my muster station and then follow signs. Seems just as good to me and a much less painful way to start vacation.

 

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[shof515]

i kinda wish it was possible for us cruise veterans to skip the muster drill. i know its required by law, but most of already know the basics of what do

Edited December 19, 2016 by shof515

[emcelh]

Muster drills on the Valor and Sunshine were very unpleasant with having to stand 45 minutes on deck in the heat. It wasn't so much standing but we were packed in like sardines in a can. It was impossible to even move. DH is claustrophobic, not a good situation.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

The reason they take so long is because of all the people who won't attend when called. They are now scanning sail and sign cards so they know exactly who showed up and who didn't.

On our cruise on December 3rd a woman passed out from the heat because of how crammed in everyone is with no airflow while waiting for a few idiots to trickle in giggling like they are children getting away with something.

Carnival should start the drill at the specified time and released as soon as it's over. Then those who didn't attend should be paged to attend the muster station so that they are still in compliance with the laws around the requirement.

 

 

And deactivate sign and sail cards for anything but room access until said compliance is met.

[sc4125]

Muster drills on the Valor and Sunshine were very unpleasant with having to stand 45 minutes on deck in the heat. It wasn't so much standing but we were packed in like sardines in a can. It was impossible to even move. DH is claustrophobic, not a good situation.

 

What I don't understand is if they can do the drills in the lounges, dining rooms, etc on the Breeze (and others) - why not on all ships?? I use to work onboard a long, long time ago & understand the Coast Guard regulations, but if it works on ships why not on all??

 

Maybe someone out there knows the answer to this. It was ridiculous how long the drill lasted on the Glory last year - most of the time spent just standing on the deck waiting around. I'm thinking the least they could do is keep people informed of what's taking so long.

 

I'll be on the Sunshine next week so I guess I have this to look forward to.

[FloridaMommyof3]

Since my son is special needs, we are always able to go to a quiet area indoors. On my Victory cruise it was just me and my 17 year old, so we had to face the dreaded muster drill without any accommodations ... lol ... it definitely wasn't the highlight of my trip as it was HOT and we were jammed like sardines, but it was only 30-45 minutes out of 3 fun days, so we dealt with it.

[Jamericannn]

I would prefer to be in a long muster drill right now than at work watching the clock when I still have 4 hours and 14 minutes to go.

[emcelh]

What I don't understand is if they can do the drills in the lounges, dining rooms, etc on the Breeze (and others) - why not on all ships?? I use to work onboard a long, long time ago & understand the Coast Guard regulations, but if it works on ships why not on all??

 

Maybe someone out there knows the answer to this. It was ridiculous how long the drill lasted on the Glory last year - most of the time spent just standing on the deck waiting around. I'm thinking the least they could do is keep people informed of what's taking so long.

 

I'll be on the Sunshine next week so I guess I have this to look forward to.

 

I would agree. The NCL cruises we've done were always inside and it was explained once that the muster station on deck might not be accessible in a real emergency. That was why your muster station was inside.

[VeggieGirl83]

Public shaming of those that held up muster should be done.

Post their pictures on the big screen and all tvs for the first night so we all know who the inconsiderate self absorbed ones are that made everybody else stand in the sun forever..

 

I know, maybe you should be handed one rock as you line up on deck and then you can stone the people that show up late. Or maybe strip them down and parade them around deck for all to see. </sarcasm>

 

Jeez...ease up and relax a little bit!

[WetToes]

I know, maybe you should be handed one rock as you line up on deck and then you can stone the people that show up late. Or maybe strip them down and parade them around deck for all to see. </sarcasm>

 

Jeez...ease up and relax a little bit!

 

Have we found one of the "self absorbed"?

[meester_jamie]

wife and I were one of the LAST to make it to muster... we were treated with a round of sarcastic applause, and a few jeers from people within jabbing distance.. but you know... I promised the ones who were very vocal , I'd by them a drink at the Bar right after muster... this was before cheers... anyway, I included they must hear why we were late...

sure enough.. a few met us at the bar.. so I told them about our first flight that caught fire.. declared an emergency over the hudson... and landed hard .. but situation was over and under control... led to a wait for a new crew... then trying to find another plane... second flight had the back door knocked off the plane... which they finally got re installed,, and duct taped in place for good measure......... then we got lucky... cause we landed at ship departure time.. [yah yah,, fly in a day before,, I know.. ] but the shuttle driver made contact with someone.. told them we were enroute to the ship. we got to the ship.. no one in the terminal no one but the xray guy, and a passport inspection stn... no boading pictures,, our door keys ready for us... then 2 ladies in the gangway coaxing us to ,,, run run run... ding , ding,, both aboard!!!! then they closed the door to the atrium,, and made sure we knew muster was on... NOW ! we were almost an hour late boarding.. they held the ship.

we wanted to go straight to muster, but we were made to drop carry-on in cabin, so they could evacuate us.. then make way to deck muster stn......

phew... we did pass a couple elderly folks taking their sweet time in the hall .. but with the commotion of us arriving,, the old folks weren't even noticed when they arrived... lol that miami humidity was terrible..!!

twice , we have been last ones aboard... the last time we left a day early, ,but the blizzard kept us on planes for 24hrs.. so we just made muster again!! doh... next cruise, we are booked to leave home 2 days early!

 

btw, the folks at the bar bought our drinks!! lol and promised to never travel with us!!

Edited December 20, 2016 by meester_jamie

[Pellaz]

Yup, that's the Carnival way.

 

Lol, outside muster is hardly unique to Carnival. Last February on Independence of the Seas we mustered outside, in the sun, and because it was an international charter the announcements had to be made in English, Spanish and German. The ship was nearly at full-berth capacity as most of the quads and triples were full, and we were PACKED in. It's also the biggest-drinking cruise at sea, so many folks were already well-liquored.

 

It was a 45+ min. ordeal.

 

Somehow, we survived. :D

[crusinpsychRN]

On one cruise the steward came to the cabin about 4 minutes after the drill was announced to introduce himself. He took quite a while. I told him I had to get to the drill. What an odd time to introduce yourself.

[lady_cruiser]

Yup, that's the Carnival way. Totally makes no sense. But make a game out of it. Count how many drunks hit the deck before it's over. We once counted 5.

 

Its also Royal Caribbean's way. And, we only counted one.

Edited December 20, 2016 by lady_cruiser

[bobandsherry]

The muster drill is a waste of time, no one pays attention and the instructions over loud speaker are barely audible.

 

The muster covers only ideal circumstances, As those on Concordia found their station may not even be accessible. If something was to happen you can be assured everyone's going to first boat available.

 

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[evandbob]

On the NYC to Miami Vista repo cruise, the muster drill was located at various indoor and outdoor sites. It was probably one of the shortest muster drills I have ever attended.

 

Staff used hand held devices to check us in for attendance, first time I've seen that done on Carnival. Princess and Celebrity ships have been using the hand helds for a while, glad Carnival is catching up!

[mistshar]

Thanks to two recent surgeries, left knee replacement and right meniscus :eek:, I am not being able to stand for long periods of time yet. I requested seated muster drill stations on upcoming Splendor and Miracle. I emailed Special Needs and was told to check-in at Guest Services upon embarkation.

 

Hope this helps others who cannot stand for the entire muster drill.

 

Good luck with that. Everytime we have done that they don't know anything about where you are supposed to go. I hope it is that easy on our next cruise. We usually find someone who knows eventually but is isn't easy. I think everyone should know where the special needs people should go.

[NHL Philly Fan]

Muster drill shirts... :) LOVE IT

 

 

http://amzn.to/2idtHeH

Edited December 21, 2016 by NHL Philly Fan

[easyboy]

The muster drill is a waste of time, no one pays attention and the instructions over loud speaker are barely audible.

 

The muster covers only ideal circumstances, As those on Concordia found their station may not even be accessible. If something was to happen you can be assured everyone's going to first boat available.

 

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Most of us feel the same way you do. But, cruise lines have to follow regulations called Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This is administered by the United Nation's International Maritime Organization (IMO). In the US, the Coast Guard implements this on cruise ships. They require that the drill take place within 24 hours of embarkation.

[sc4125]

It is a pain for sure - at least those that are held outside - I don't mind the ones inside (at least you can hear the instructions). By the way, anyone sailing with Dr. E should enjoy the drill - he made it very entertaining - it was like a comedy show.

[muggo11]

After several Princess cruises, muster on our recent Carnival Inspiration sailing was distressing. No one seemed to take it seriously. Crew appeared to be counting passengers. Unless there was some eye in the sky, our key cards weren't scanned. And it took forever. I found myself wondering about what might happen in a real emergency

Princess is always on time, indoors, all key cards scanned, instructions clear and VERY well organized. I know the lines are different but you would think the parent company would lay out safety protocols and standards for all of them.

 

 

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[IPlayWithString]

Carnival should start the drill at the specified time and released as soon as it's over.

 

This is one of the many reasons we started going to the special needs muster drill. Carnival never seemed to start on time and at one muster, for reasons unknown to us, our group was made to wait more than half an hour after they'd released the groups on either side of us, forcing us to miss getting to watch sail away from the Lido (which DH had been looking forward to). They called the groups on either side of us as well as on the other side of the ship to leave..but ours was forced to stand there for a good half an hour, forty five minutes after they all left. To this day I can't figure out why.

[Cr2zCr8zy]

On the NYC to Miami Vista repo cruise, the muster drill was located at various indoor and outdoor sites. It was probably one of the shortest muster drills I have ever attended.

 

Staff used hand held devices to check us in for attendance, first time I've seen that done on Carnival. Princess and Celebrity ships have been using the hand helds for a while, glad Carnival is catching up!

 

I was on that sailing and yes, once it got started it was fine. However, it took forever for it to start people were in the wrong muster station and they were making announcement over the PA for them to report to the correct location. People did not know that their card had to be scanned so they stood around while the crew went looking for them. Then people showed up about being mustered in the casino because they were allergic to cigarette smoke. All in all it was about a 45 minute wait because of all of the confusion. I didn't complain because I showed up on time, found a seat and waited it out. Again, once it got started it was pretty quick.

[evandbob]

I was on that sailing and yes, once it got started it was fine. However, it took forever for it to start people were in the wrong muster station and they were making announcement over the PA for them to report to the correct location. People did not know that their card had to be scanned so they stood around while the crew went looking for them. Then people showed up about being mustered in the casino because they were allergic to cigarette smoke. All in all it was about a 45 minute wait because of all of the confusion. I didn't complain because I showed up on time, found a seatand waited it out. Again, once it got started it was pretty quick.

 

 

 

45 minutes? I think from the time we arrived, and we were not late, to the end of muster was at most 15 minutes. But we certainly didn't arrive early either.

 

It didn't take passengers that long to catch onto the fact that staff were checking them into muster with their S&S cards. In my section, people saw that happening and lined up quickly. Many were turned away because staff needed to check in just one card per cabin.

[hel0013]

They require that the drill take place within 24 hours of embarkation.

 

Because of the Concordia incident the regulation has changed.

 

MSC 92 adopted amendments SOLAS regulation III/19 to require musters of newly embarked passengers prior to or immediately upon departure, instead of “within 24 hours”, as stated in the current regulations. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2015.