Muster Drills

[allen.crawford]

When we were on a 2 week cruise, we had 2 muster drills - one at the start and the second at the start of the second week. We were told that this was in accordance with "maritime law".

I mentioned this on the Princess Board and everyone responded that they have been on all lengths of cruises but had only one muster drill.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Was our Captain just be cautious? Are there any guidelines or rules? What has been your experience on 2 week or more cruises?

[doone]

I haven't been on a two weeks cruise, but have been on 10 days and 12 day ones. We had only 1 muster drill on those. Was the cruise your referring to back to back cruises, meaning you were out for 7 days, returned to your embarkation port and then had new people board for another 7-day cruise? If that's the case, I could understand why there were two, but not if it was a 14 day cruise.

[Druke I]

Well, I answered on Princess board, and will answer here again.

On two HAL cruises, both 10 nights in length, there was only one muster drill for passengers.

On Princess cruises as long as 27 nights, only one muster drill for passengers.

I believe that unless there is a second port of embarkation, there is usually only one muster drill. I think the difference is a cruise and line voyage, but could be wrong.

[allen.crawford]

It was a 14 day Southern Caribbean cruise this past March/April.

As far as we were aware, there was only one port of embarkation. It definitely makes sense if there are two points of embarkation such as the 28 day cruise my mother did from Europe to FLL.

I am now wondering why the announcement regarding the second drill said "In accordance with maritime law......". Why would this be mentioned if that isn't the case?

Sorry if my curiousity is bothersome.

[lka1012]

Maybe the Captian was bored?

[kryos]

When we were on a 2 week cruise, we had 2 muster drills - one at the start and the second at the start of the second week. We were told that this was in accordance with "maritime law".

Was this two-week cruise actually two one-week cruises ... or a back-to-back? If so, yes ... you would have two muster drills since technically these are two separate cruises.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[dakrewser]

When we were on a 2 week cruise, we had 2 muster drills - one at the start and the second at the start of the second week. We were told that this was in accordance with "maritime law".
Muster drills are done in accordance with maritime law. But tell us more about this particular cruise - ship, dates, ports, etc. and you'll get better informed opinions.

[RuthC]

IIRC we had three (or four) muster drills on my recent 34-day Rotterdam cruise. There was the original drill before leaving NYC, and an additional drill in Amsterdam. (I can't remember if that was for everyone or just the new passengers.) I think there was a drill about ten days in ---before we reached Amsterdam. There was at least one additional drill in which all the staff and crew participated with us as well.

This was a decrease from past cruises. I clearly recall five drills on my 33-day South Pacific cruise in 1995. Those were fascinating because additional information was given each time. We were showed the food/water supplies and saw crew members (officers, possibly?) in some sort of wet-suit.
And then there was that drill on a 21-day cruise as the Ryndam headed toward Antarctica. Talk about cold! Yikes! Thankfully, they took attendance and dismissed us. Lasted less than five minutes.

[Kami's pal]

on Orient's Marco Polo around the Horn in 2000. This was a 14 day cruise from Buenos Aires to Santiago. And very well conducted too. We were mustered inside then instructed on using their life jackets, what to wear, take with etc, called to line up ( by cabin number ? can't remember), then told to hold on to person in front, led to life boat, and roll call. And, the muster staff were very stern about no talking, checking the knots, follow orders. Twice! First on afternoon we boarded and second 7 days later. Perhaps it was the area (notorious for storms) or the ship (older with high sills at watertight compartments) but this was no nod to the letter of the law. This captain obeyed the spirit of the law.

Of course there were some who complained, but considering what could happen, I think he was absolutely correct.

Having experienced an evacuation of a high rise on fire and been on a ship during a storm when one ship did sink, I've become very frustrated that all muster drills aren't as comprehensive.

[Slinkiecat]

Okay, what does that mean for us on a 112-day world cruise? We'll be dropping and taking on passengers at several ports en route, so by the time we return we should be well versed in evacuation procedures!

Slinkie

[RuthC]

Okay, what does that mean for us on a 112-day world cruise? We'll be dropping and taking on passengers at several ports en route, so by the time we return we should be well versed in evacuation procedures!

SlinkieWhat it means is be very careful what you say that can be overheard. As time goes on you'll get to know exactly who is assigned to your lifeboat, and you wouldn't want any enemies. ;)

[Bill HaHa]

On our 15 day cruise to Hawaii in 2000, we had two muster drills. On our 14 day cruises on Celebrity to Panama Canal and Alaska, we had one drill for each place

[Calliope]

Crews on merchant ship's must drill weekly by law. On passenger ships the passengers must drill at least once within 24 hours after embarking on a cruise. If the cruise is longer than 7 nights the master of the vessel can elect to postone a second drill if on the next cruise a drill can still be held within the time frame of that second week. If not a second drill must be held for the crew and at the master's discretion the passengers too.

To Holland America's credit, they take their muster drills very seriously, and elect to have two drills with passengers and crew on a two week cruise.

[TedC]

I have been on several cruise lines and HAL has the best drills.

On another cruise line the drill was in the Casino! ( You Bet Yor Life!)

(Perhaps because people of a certain age have short memories HAL thinks additional drills are warranted?}

[Cruiseoften]

I have been on several cruise lines and HAL has the best drills.

On another cruise line the drill was in the Casino! ( You Bet Yor Life!)

(Perhaps because people of a certain age have short memories HAL thinks additional drills are warranted?}

As has been said, HAL, to it's credit, takes passenger safety seriously! Don't believe it has anything to do with age or short memories! that's a new one!- Advises that my message is 4 words short - UH?????

Edited to add the extra words........