Tales from the muster drill

[smygirl]

I think this kind of counts as a ritual, since we all do it every time...but does anyone have a fun/interesting story from a muster drill. I mean, we all have to endure this - surely someone has a funny or exciting tale to share?

 

What made me think of this question, you ask? Well, on our last cruise my husband and I encountered a rather drunk young man and his traveling companions just in front of us in the sardine pack out on deck. He had is life vest barely hanging around his neck and was talking quite loudly to his companions...as we waited and waited and the group was packed tighter and tigher...he got louder and louder. He was practically shouting over and over, "This is ridiculous!! This is ridiculous!!" One of his female companions was trying to calm him down, shushing, and trying to distract him, etc. but he just kept it up - "This is ridiculous, this is ridiculous!!! I did not pay good money to be stuck out here like this...etc". Finally this was enough for one of the other passengers close by and the nearby passenger shouted back something along the lines of "Shut the bleep up", and then it started...the companion piped up, "you shut your mouth...", the nearby passenger shouted back at the drunk guy, "you need to keep your girl in check...!!!" With this, the girl came out swinging - drunk guy holding her back and nearby passenger's girl holding him back. By now the muster drill was way over, but this spectacle was blocking the doorway and my husband and I just happened to have front row seats (just had to watch out for the swinging elbows). Needless to say, this little brawl quickly disbanded and all was well - but for the remainder of the cruise, my husband and I referred to this drunk guy (who we happened to see ALL the time for some reason) as "Ridiculous". To this day, we jokingly use the phrase "This is ridiculous!!!" to refer to anything unpleasant, long lines, etc.

 

Any one else have a muster drill story?

[pmfan]

I think this kind of counts as a ritual, since we all do it every time...but does anyone have a fun/interesting story from a muster drill. I mean, we all have to endure this - surely someone has a funny or exciting tale to share?

 

What made me think of this question, you ask? Well, on our last cruise my husband and I encountered a rather drunk young man and his traveling companions just in front of us in the sardine pack out on deck. He had is life vest barely hanging around his neck and was talking quite loudly to his companions...as we waited and waited and the group was packed tighter and tigher...he got louder and louder. He was practically shouting over and over, "This is ridiculous!! This is ridiculous!!" One of his female companions was trying to calm him down, shushing, and trying to distract him, etc. but he just kept it up - "This is ridiculous, this is ridiculous!!! I did not pay good money to be stuck out here like this...etc". Finally this was enough for one of the other passengers close by and the nearby passenger shouted back something along the lines of "Shut the bleep up", and then it started...the companion piped up, "you shut your mouth...", the nearby passenger shouted back at the drunk guy, "you need to keep your girl in check...!!!" With this, the girl came out swinging - drunk guy holding her back and nearby passenger's girl holding him back. By now the muster drill was way over, but this spectacle was blocking the doorway and my husband and I just happened to have front row seats (just had to watch out for the swinging elbows). Needless to say, this little brawl quickly disbanded and all was well - but for the remainder of the cruise, my husband and I referred to this drunk guy (who we happened to see ALL the time for some reason) as "Ridiculous". To this day, we jokingly use the phrase "This is ridiculous!!!" to refer to anything unpleasant, long lines, etc.

 

Any one else have a muster drill story?

Oh my, it's a good thing the traveling companions were there to try to defuse the situation. :eek:

[cb at sea]

It's strange that you kept seeing that man throughout the cruise--we've met some lovely folks at muster drill, and then NEVER ran across them again the entire cruise!

If the ship had been an airline, that dude wouldn't have been allowed to "fly"!

[3boysvus]

Isn't that just the way it goes...meet nice people never see them again, until you are waiting to board the plane or get your luggage, BUT those really wonderful:rolleyes: people you never want to see again you see everywhere.

 

For us it was a horribly loud rude man (first impression) who smoked hs cigar at muster until he was told to put it out (then he only held it down to smolder - it connected with a ladies skirt and the smell (OMG) but he just mitched and moaned the whole time). Muster ended and we prayed we wouldn't bump into him. We did, every night at dinner. There were three couples at that table the others were like us (you have to be kidding me). We both asked to be moved, but were told it was impossible - so we made the best of it. He never smoked in the dinning room, bought a round for the table everynight, and bought us drinks everytime he saw us. Turns out he was just a "good ol' boy from Mississippi" (That is how he described himself - proudly) having his vacation.

[RICKnVICK]

We were on the Carnival Ecstasy and were stuck behind a family with 2 small children. Needless to say, the little boy was horrible (he was around 5-6) Anyway, his mother kept yelling his name (like he was going to stop! ha!) so for several days, everywhere we were, they were. We were relaxing by the pool and there they were! Mom was still screaming his name! We got off the boat in Cozumel and went to Playa Mia Beach. We are relaxing and chilling in our chairs, looking at the beautiful water, sipping pina coladas when all of a sudden we hear a very familiar name being screamed! My sister and I looked at each other and said "NO WAY"!

Well, it was them! I will admit my glee when they tried to all load up in a kayak (I told my sister that is too much weight for one kayak)well, they immediately flipped over and the mom came up screaming! This time at the husband for tipping them over. She was not a small person and I personally felt it was not the husband's fault for the kayak tipping. We were chuckling and feeling sorry for the family because all we could think was they will remember this vacation for the rest of their lives because all mom did was scream! And it started at the muster drill!

[EBallgrl]

We saw this on our way to the muster drill, and I am sure it happens on every cruise but on our way down the hall (life vests on, lights flashing and sirens blaring) we passed a room just as the door was opening... It was a group of men, Japanese I think, who stuck their heads out, saw us and looked TERRIFIED! They obviously did not speak English and did not know what was going on. I can't imagine how scary it would be to be on a ship, not speak the language, hear sirens and see people rush past your door with life vests on! We were not able to help them but we did see a room steward stop at thier room. Hopefully they were able to figure out what was going on! But I will never forget their faces! :eek:

[Gathina]

"Unruly children should be towed away at the owner's expense"..or thrown overboard with their parents!:eek:

 

We were on the Carnival Ecstasy and were stuck behind a family with 2 small children. Needless to say, the little boy was horrible (he was around 5-6) Anyway, his mother kept yelling his name (like he was going to stop! ha!) so for several days, everywhere we were, they were. We were relaxing by the pool and there they were! Mom was still screaming his name! We got off the boat in Cozumel and went to Playa Mia Beach. We are relaxing and chilling in our chairs, looking at the beautiful water, sipping pina coladas when all of a sudden we hear a very familiar name being screamed! My sister and I looked at each other and said "NO WAY"!

Well, it was them! I will admit my glee when they tried to all load up in a kayak (I told my sister that is too much weight for one kayak)well, they immediately flipped over and the mom came up screaming! This time at the husband for tipping them over. She was not a small person and I personally felt it was not the husband's fault for the kayak tipping. We were chuckling and feeling sorry for the family because all we could think was they will remember this vacation for the rest of their lives because all mom did was scream! And it started at the muster drill!

[J-Hawk]

I get claustrophobic and don't do well in the heat. Last cruise, I almost passed out. Anybody know if I have any other options for the muster? Not avoiding it, but not going through what I did last time.

[mr green]

Returning from a a drill, after being instructed to keep our life jackets on, my wife and I were approached by a sweet young thing who asked "Can you please tell me my cabin number?"

It WAS on her jacket, so I told her, but at this point I remembered that our 'keys' did not carry the cabin number. Of course, she COULD have broken the rules, and removed her life jacket!:)

 

john

[bjar719]

I get claustrophobic and don't do well in the heat. Last cruise, I almost passed out. Anybody know if I have any other options for the muster? Not avoiding it, but not going through what I did last time.

 

I notice from you signature that you have sailed mostly RCCL ships. Each line does the muster differently. On the Princess ships, everyone is directed to some interior spot (my last couple of cruises happened to be in the casino) where the muster is held. You get to sit (hopefully) in air conditioned comfort and listen to the instructions. I've also sailed on Celebrity, Carnival, and Holland America and had outside, on deck musters in the heat with each of those. Holland America actually did a cabin number check to verify attendance. So, my suggestion for staying out of the heat at muster would be to try a Princess cruise. ;)

[J-Hawk]

I notice from you signature that you have sailed mostly RCCL ships. Each line does the muster differently. On the Princess ships, everyone is directed to some interior spot (my last couple of cruises happened to be in the casino) where the muster is held. You get to sit (hopefully) in air conditioned comfort and listen to the instructions. I've also sailed on Celebrity, Carnival, and Holland America and had outside, on deck musters in the heat with each of those. Holland America actually did a cabin number check to verify attendance. So, my suggestion for staying out of the heat at muster would be to try a Princess cruise. ;)

 

 

Disney was in an air conditioned lounge and my experience with RC was that some are in the ship and some are out in the heat. I would not mind cruising a different line, but we go with our family, most of whom are RC diamond members. Also, we really love those big ships! The royal promenade on the big ships is incredible!

[MileHiCrzr]

Jennifer - I too suffer from claustrophobia and the sheer thoughts of being sandwiched in between a bunch of folks frightens me to no end. If you make the crew members at the muster station aware of the problem they will let you stand in the area where they accomodate the handicapped passengers. Much less crowded and doesn't tend to make one jump off at the get-go. Ships, along with the airlines, do recognize this as a problem that needs to be accomodated.

[RICKnVICK]

Gathina - I couldn't have said it better myself!

 

Jennifer - My suggestion is to not rush to the muster drill. The closer you get to the time to begin, they closer you are to the front. My husband is also claustrophobic and we thought we had to run to make it on time. Now we take our time, we are not taking so long that we are holding up the drill, but we almost always get the front or the second row. Royal Caribbean is our favorite cruise line as well!

[J-Hawk]

Thanks for the great suggestions! I know that wearing the life jacket adds to the problem, but there is no way around it!

[smygirl]

I did not realize other cruise line opt for an inside AC muster - sounds great to me! My only experiences are on Carnival and RC - both of which were outside, sardine style. I like the idea of waiting towards the end and not rushing; at least you'd be near the front of the pack on deck or near the exit :)

Sounds like several of you have had experiences similar to my "Ridiculous" guy - thanks for the posts!!

[G'ma]

I did not realize other cruise line opt for an inside AC muster - sounds great to me! My only experiences are on Carnival and RC - both of which were outside, sardine style. I like the idea of waiting towards the end and not rushing; at least you'd be near the front of the pack on deck or near the exit :)

Sounds like several of you have had experiences similar to my "Ridiculous" guy - thanks for the posts!!

 

On Carnival, it depends upon several things. Some ships have inside and outside stations. It all depends upon where your cabin is located. I've been on Miracle 3 times; twice was inside lounge, once was outside.

[J-Hawk]

The muster drill itself isn't so bad, but on RCI the international ambassador comes on and speaks in several different languages. They speak not about the muster drill, but instead a welcome to the non-english speaking guests. I have absolutely no problem with greeting them, but not when we are all hot, claustiphobic, and annoyed. How about the sail away party?

[Gathina]

so if this were a real emergency situation and you were claustrophobic, what would youdo? You can't hide in your room, and I'm sure it'll be even more crazy in a real situation. Think of it...it's an emergency, it's sweltering, and everyone's crazy..isn't it logical to learn what to do in a calm situation, in the same conditions, so you won't panic in a real emergency?

 

I get claustrophobic and don't do well in the heat. Last cruise, I almost passed out. Anybody know if I have any other options for the muster? Not avoiding it, but not going through what I did last time.

[J-Hawk]

so if this were a real emergency situation and you were claustrophobic, what would youdo? You can't hide in your room, and I'm sure it'll be even more crazy in a real situation. Think of it...it's an emergency, it's sweltering, and everyone's crazy..isn't it logical to learn what to do in a calm situation, in the same conditions, so you won't panic in a real emergency?

 

 

I totally appreciate what you are trying to say and have wondered myself how I would respond to an emergency. I am going with the odds and hoping it won't happen, but if it did, I would like to think that I would be so in the moment that the claustrophobia would not set in. I have never had any intention of hiding in my cabin during muster; I was not looking to get out of it. If we were actually learning what to do, it would be better. All we ever really do is show up, wait for the late-comers and then listen to the intercom, which is mostly the international welcome message. From your message, I take it that you have never struggled with claustrophobia. It is an absolute terrifying panic. I wish that it was not something that I had to deal with and that I could just stand there and patiently wait through the muster drill. Please understand that when it does set in, I am completely unable to hear anything that is being said, I just am in full panic mode.

[Bette And Bill]

We sail RCCL most of the time, we have had both inside and outside muster stations. We have also sailed on Celebrity and had another inside muster station. I think it depends on where your cabin is located.

[minncruisers]

Only a precautionary tale here: If you happen to be nearest the outside of the ship during the muster drill, be careful where you lean or brush against. My SIL's DH unknowingly brushed against a recently greased door hinge and had a huge black, grease stain on his white shirt. We suggested he bring it down to the pursers desk and tell them. They were nice enough to wash the shirt and removed the stain for him. It was his first cruise and he was duly impressed with how the crew resolved his situation.:)

[pat54]

On a Celebrity Alaska Southbound Cruise, we left late in the evening, so the muster drill was to be held the next day. The next day was a crossing of the Gulf of Alaska in rough seas. Our muster station was the theater in the bow. Needless to say I was feeling rather green before the muster, and being packed into the theater only left me more uncomfortable. A teenager 10 feet from me lost his breakfast, thus causing a chain reaction of 3 nearby passengers to imitate him. The ship’s personnel were quick to escort the afflicted out of the theater. I ran behind them, and ducked out onto the promenade deck to get some fresh air and keep my eyes on the horizon. The ship officer guarding the door never said a word, and I was allowed to remain outside and miss the muster drill.

 

Later I took too much seasick medication and passed out on a deck chair, thus missing part of the glacier stop.

[Beach_Lilly111]

We were on the Carnival Liberty, and getting in line the muster drill. We started chatting it up with the group of people next to us. Turns out they were on the CC Carnival Liberty roll call and we had been posting message for months! It was fun figuring out who was who, and whatnot.

[mr green]

On one cruise, returning from the drill, [we had all been instucted to keep our life jackets on], a sweet young thing came up to me and asked, 'Will you please tell me my cabin number?' I read it to her, off the life jacket.

 

john

[cdn seeking heat]

On my last cruise, March 08, there were MANY college students. Wow, I mean MANY! :eek:

Anyways, there was a 20ish guy who was completely obnoxious. He was drunk already and was trying to stand on the stairs, yelling and screaming and causing a ruckus. He was so loud and distracting that you could not hear any of the announcements. Finally, security arrived trying to "subdue" the gentleman.

I heard later that he was removed from the ship.