Bag the Lifeboat Drill?

[NJmommyx4]

This goes along with those people we all see on airplanes typing away on their computers, reading and listening to MP3 players, etc. during the safety drills. Well, on one occasion we hit a mess of turbulance and the oxygen came flying down at us...I have NEVER seen such confusion and mass hysteria. Only about 25% of the passengers knew what to do and it scared the heck out of my children watching all those adults panic. My 10 year old swore I was lying to him when I said everything was going to be fine!

 

You just never know what can happen. Why risk it? Any Osteen fans? "Be a Victor...not a Victim!

[tgptmp]

Who cares if the ship takes attendance or not. If there were ever a problem on board I will be very glad that I know the best option for getting off alive.

 

Besides that, the muster drill is a great place to people watch, meet people, and realize that everyone is wearing the same orange top.

 

Let's hope that no one reading these posts ever have to use a lifeboat, but if that happens you will be glad you went.

[Jgardner]

I enjoyed the Muster Drill, and met some awesome people who you get to know and say "Hi" to when you pass by them on the ship. Also, it makes for super cool pictures (Hence My Avatar!) :D:D:D

[falconfan]

It is fun to watch the people as they try to waddle around in their life jackets. My wife takes her camera so that she can catch everyone at their best.

[crtzgrl]

I agree...why skip it? It takes 30 minutes of your time and will provide you with information that you will need to know in case of an emergency. And it does provide quite a few laughs as well. I'm sure there have been a few people laughing at me at some point :D

 

Just go, do it, get it over with and remember that when that is done, you have the next week (or however long) to do as you want.

 

See you at the muster station!!! :p

[bovs]

rituals? yes.

me and whoever else hates the muster drill finds empty lounges to chill in during the muster drill.

 

done the drill times before, learned it, and find a thrill in skipping it.

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And then you have to meeet the requirement of going the next day when everyone else is up at the pool chillin' out! Like Santa Clause, they know who's been naughty or nice! There will be this knock at the cabin door......:eek:

[deepnite10]

i hate those drills..but, i go along cuz it s easier to participate than

bury your head a hope your not noticed..:o

[perkli25]

My friends and I just make sure we get warm and fuzzy from the DOD and that makes the drill sooo much more enjoyable:D

[Cruis3rz]

We never skipped a drill, even though we've been on all of two cruises. It's more of a "I-Don't-Wanna-Get-In-Trouble-So-Let's-Just-Go" thing for us.

 

My daughter says that it's amusing watching people in the port take pictures of the orange vests while we stand at roll.

[fredman]

Everytime I get on a Ship for a new adventure I WANT to ditch the muster drill. I end up going to my respective station everytime and realize it's worth it and not for safety reasons but for the people watching!

 

Who's already lit? Who's in a wedding dress? Who doesn't know how to put on a vest? Who are the people holding us up?!?

 

Seriously it's thirty minutes out of 7+ days. Look for me, I'll be the guy in the orange life vest. ;)

 

- Matty C

 

Great Idea, first one this past January took the mandatory pic of us in our lifejackets. I like the idea of being lit up or at least comfortably happy. No I don't drink often, but occassionaly on the cruise I would have a couple more than usual! :D Guess I will have to leave my cocktail in my room. Maybe a beginning of a cruise ritual?

[cruisee<3]

actually my first cruise was on a Disney cruise .. and I never knew they had this drill .. and they never made any announcements on it so I completely skipped it and didn't even know there was a drill until my other friend in another stateroom told me .. I was just in my room unpacking .. and no one came in to get us .. :/

[lilytuck]

I, too, hate the Muster Drill. But the thing that makes it even worse is when jerks wont shut up and everyone has to stand there longer.

 

On the Victory 5/17/09 there was a group of 20 somethings that had their backs to the crew and where talking and laughing. They were told to be quit and pay attention a number of times. It is a good thing I'm not a Carnival Ships Captain because these spoiled brats would have been kicked off the ship. Their behavior was disrespectful to the crew and to the other passangers that were trying to listen. Way is it that kids today believe that they are exempt from the rules?

[fredman]

I, too, hate the Muster Drill. But the thing that makes it even worse is when jerks wont shut up and everyone has to stand there longer.

 

On the Victory 5/17/09 there was a group of 20 somethings that had their backs to the crew and where talking and laughing. They were told to be quit and pay attention a number of times. It is a good thing I'm not a Carnival Ships Captain because these spoiled brats would have been kicked off the ship. Their behavior was disrespectful to the crew and to the other passangers that were trying to listen. Way is it that kids today believe that they are exempt from the rules?

 

Agreed, but unfortunately there are some in more advance ages and even into their 40's that think rules don't apply to them. It makes me angry, because their actions could in the event of a real emergency effect the lives of others. Not sure about US and International laws regarding cruise ship safety, but this kind of behavior should have consequences.

 

I know that cruise line and marketing execs read these forums, hopefully the more we raise this issue, the more the industry will move to compliance and having everyone pay attention. This is the same problem when flying, how many folks actually pay attention to the emergency procedures as the attendants go through them?

 

Good post!

[momofmeg]

Agreed, but unfortunately there are some in more advance ages and even into their 40's that think rules don't apply to them. It makes me angry, because their actions could in the event of a real emergency effect the lives of others. Not sure about US and International laws regarding cruise ship safety, but this kind of behavior should have consequences.

 

I know that cruise line and marketing execs read these forums, hopefully the more we raise this issue, the more the industry will move to compliance and having everyone pay attention. This is the same problem when flying, how many folks actually pay attention to the emergency procedures as the attendants go through them?

 

Good post!

 

I know, a few rebels always make it much worse-if everyone cooperated the drill wouldn't take 10 minutes, and the no shows-yes they woudl be the ones to panic in a real emergency and cause loss of life.

[Katie100]

I would hide under the bed and ditch the drill but that's where I hid all the liquor I smuggled on board.

[yakdaddy42]

I would hide under the bed and ditch the drill but that's where I hid all the liquor I smuggled on board.

 

I know I have the same problem, well it's not really a problem.

[didio23]

as a 21 year old girl that goes on cruises nearly every summer i have to say that the muster drill is so fun- it only takes 25-30 mins and it gives me and my girlfriends a great opportunity to check out all the cute guys on board on the first day ;)

[fredman]

as a 21 year old girl that goes on cruises nearly every summer i have to say that the muster drill is so fun- it only takes 25-30 mins and it gives me and my girlfriends a great opportunity to check out all the cute guys on board on the first day ;)

 

Good stuff...who said that young passengers aren't responsible? I like your attitude and the way you turn the drill into fun. Now if my DW catches me looking at all the pretty gals, it could be man overboard! :D I think having a pre muster drill beverage is a good tradition as long as it is not too much - need to pay attention too! :p

 

Everyone has a democratic right to chose for themselves...hopefully their decisions don't impact the safety of those that decided to attend the muster drill in case of a real emergency. A lot of the comments here are in jest and partly truthful and that is okay but I think we would want to as Adults, set good examples for our young children that HAVE to participate in fire drills at schools....there is no difference here just substitute a school for a ship!

 

And it is like you said it is only 25-30 minutes!

[Fisherlady48]

I too would never skip the drill.. its a great time to laugh at yourself and others in the orange vests.. and yes don't blow those whistles.. see BJ note above (tmi)

 

and yes by all means bring a drinkie poo or too with you.

 

K

[svetty]

how can you miss a Drill!! its so much fun - and those pictures in orange vests are always hilarious:) i have never missed a drill and i why would I? If something were to happen wouldnt you want to know what to do on that particular ship?:))

[Daninean]

I worked on a cruise ship for a few years and trust me, the boat drills are just as annoying for the staff as they are for the travelers. Immagine have 50+ people all annoyed, not paying attantion and giving oyu a hard time b/c they want to get to the bar/casino/pool. I know those drills inside and out and I go, smile and get it over with. If everyone woudl just cooperate, line up and listen, they woudl be over with MUCH faster. Plus its always nice to have an idea of what to do in case there is an emergency. :rolleyes:

[fredman]

Watch this video of the fire on the Star Princess, March 23, 2006...near the end the young male voice states:

 

“God I wish I would not have skipped the safety procedure!”

 

[TJRiver]

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. The op was probably not meaning to include everyone with their generalization of the "me generation" but you have to admit that their are young people out there who do think like that, you probably even know some of them. I know I know some people like that and it does get on my nerves at times. However why make everyone else wait when you could speed up the whole process by just following the rules.

 

Just because I am one of those ""Me Generation" folks, I have to hop in for a sec.

 

1. Skipping the muster drill is just plain stupid. Pure and simple. Every ship has a different lifeboat layout and muster system.

 

2. The OP did indeed mean to generalize. He is relying upon a factually incorrect stereotype to try and make a point. If he did not mean to paint the younger folks (the members of the so-called "me-generation") with the same brush, he needs to work on his writing skills.

 

Alright, back to what you were doing.

[downsized]

The Me generation?

I find that as ignorant as missing the drill! where did that come from.. the ME generation.. I hope that isn't about us youngins.....I have a friend that went back to iraq 3 times even though he could have retired the military... well he is no longer with us due to heavy fighting in Fallujah ...may he rest in peace! He died there so no more of us will have to die here! I find it very offensive to say something like my generation isn't as good as yours!! I've been hearing for so long about the golden generation... Any time someone puts everyone into one stereotypical boat you can just as well forget what they have to say... I'd like you to tell my friends parents that he is from the lazy no good generation... careful what you say... you will depend on us for social security and legislation that protects seniors when they loose their voice... off my soap box....

but back to the topic... if it really kills you to wait for the drill... go after a few minutes so that they start shortly after youll arrive.this way your not standing there for 15 minutes before they start. I can feel the heat coming for even suggesting this..( oh but then i have to wait for you) .. true.. but what did you expect from the ME generation....Cruises are for fun... don't let others always negative views and comment disrupt your cruise... there are more of us then them anyway!

 

You've just proven the adage that there is "one" in every crowd!

 

Come visit me on my balcony, and I will not only give you free swimming lessons, but flying lessons, as well!

Semper Fi.

[downsized]

wow