Why can't people get to muster on time?

So where are the muster stations on the Indy - outside decks where you must stand? I recently had total knee replacement and am walking well but standing fin one place for any length of time is difficult and painful. Many ships use lounges, casino, etc. as muster stations and if you arrive early, you can sit. Will I need to stand for 20-30 minutes?

Honestly I think it's a race to be the last one there. In many cases, the last one there doesn't have to stand there as long, and is usually the first one to leave after the drill. Why that's such a big deal to some people I can't say, but I've heard more than one cruiser claim it as their strategy.

On every RCI cruise we've taken, when you enter your cabin for the first time the TV is on the channel that explains the muster drill. Do you not remember this? Seriously asking, not being facetious.

 

And yes OP, very frustrating. :(

 

Yes we do know all about muster drills and I do take them seriously. We were told to go when we heard the announcement and we did not hear it. We have never had one start at the time is says, but we knew generally when it would be, and we have always heard the announcements before.

I also get upset when people try get out of it and try hide from staff. Its just a few minutes of a great week, and we did feel bad, but we were also not the last ones there. :) Maybe if they didn't serve the drinks with the umbrellas until after muster drill, it would go faster. Our first one, on the Holiday was over an HOUR!! and our muster station was the theatre. Like I would go to the inside of a ship if it was sinking. :D

Happy Cruising!

Muster drill started really late last year on our Liberty cruise. A bunch of women arrived to our section and then stood and talked through it all. They should put the rude late comers (as I realise there is sometimes genuine reasons why people arrive late) should go on a black list and not allowed onto the lifeboats until last...though I bet they are the kind of people that will be elbowing their way through the queues to get to the front!!!

 

 

I like that one!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

So where are the muster stations on the Indy - outside decks where you must stand? I recently had total knee replacement and am walking well but standing fin one place for any length of time is difficult and painful. Many ships use lounges, casino, etc. as muster stations and if you arrive early, you can sit. Will I need to stand for 20-30 minutes?

Most muster stations on Indy are outside on deck 4, where people stand. However, if you mention your problem standing to the muster station crew, they will find you a chair to use.

I don't care if you are diamond, platinum or zinc oxide-

 

LOL funniest thing ever

Most muster stations on Indy are outside on deck 4, where people stand. However, if you mention your problem standing to the muster station crew, they will find you a chair to use.

 

Bob, I always appreciate your answers. Thank you.

They always mention no alcohol or food, but someone's always walking around with a drink, which is breaking the rules. They probably bought it ten minutes before, and didn't want to leave it.

 

I don't think they should sell alcohol until after the muster drill.

New Rule:

 

Last one there buys a round of drinks for all !!!

 

 

 

I don't think they should sell alcohol until after the muster drill.

 

Like, at all? If we board at 11:15 then we should be able to get a drink. Booze is a huge money maker for the line and people are going to drink regardless of the time. The best they can do is to shut down all venues 15 minutes prior to the drill. That's the best we'll ever see.

I can't speak for other families but we can't get our family of 19 people anywhere at the exact same time (there's always someone who is late), so I can only imagine the multitude of difficulties in getting 3000 people arranged and orderly at a specific time.

 

I think the Muster Drills go pretty darn well considering the variables...I am surprised so many people seem so upset when a few people run late. Seems a sad way to start a wonderful cruise by being peeved off and annoyed.

Simple rule that should be in the contract. If you no show at the Muster Drill, you should be taken off the ship. But I can only wish.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

I can't speak for other families but we can't get our family of 19 people anywhere at the exact same time (there's always someone who is late), so I can only imagine the multitude of difficulties in getting 3000 people arranged and orderly at a specific time.

 

I think the Muster Drills go pretty darn well considering the variables...I am surprised so many people seem so upset when a few people run late. Seems a sad way to start a wonderful cruise by being peeved off and annoyed.

 

REALLY????? You are surprised that so many people are upset when "a few people" run late? What about those of us WHO MAKE SURE TO BE ON TIME!!!!! I know that when I arrive on time or a few minutes before, I am trying to be COURTEOUS to my fellow cruisers. Maybe those who think they are so special that they can hold thousands of people up so they can get their in their special time should have to pay for every minute they are late....excepting those who don't get on the ship in time for the muster drill, or those who have a LEGITIMATE excuse.

Actually ( just to be a bit controversial) it is the ships fault normally

 

Simply because of the actual wording of the announcements, which state that there will be a drill in 30 mins and then again in 15 minutes. But go on to say that when the alarm of 7 short and 1 long is sounded people should make there way to their Muster Stations. What it should do is state that when that alarm is sounded people should actually be at their Muster Station.

Which of course in real life that would not work either, as it is when the alarm is sounded that people would proceed to the MS.

Therefore in real life you would not expect people to already be at the MS when the alarm is sounded but shortly afterwards. ( so why should they be expected early at the drill )

 

So as during Muster they wait for people to attend before running the alarm, it is not actually teaching cruisers how they need to proceed.

What should happen for cruisers to experience a real life situation, they should pre-announce that there will be a drill, and then sound the alarm. Advising that all guests should be present within say 15 minutes, and those that are not should have their Seapass card deactivated until they attend another drill held later. ( Maybe even at a cost for the extra staffing )

 

Therefore I could maintain that those that complain about others being late, are actually the ones not listening to the announcements, as they head for the Muster Stations ahead of the announced instructions. But of course this is because the staff go around herding people like sheep towards the muster points, before the alarm is sounded.

 

Overall the whole procedure could be better, it really frustrates me when the Kids Club staff interrupt the drill by shouting out for kids without armbands. Surely it would be better to issue those at checkin and not allow a child onto the ship without an appropriate wristband, in the same way that the Seapass cards are applied.

 

And Yes I have attended many drills, and have been peeved by hanging around waiting for others, and whilst I am not the first to arrive I am also not the last.

 

Okay flame away, I am a big boy I can take it.:D

 

 

I have to disagree with some of your Points here, as your description of the procedure does not match my experience with it.

You have been on a gazillion more Cruises than me, but I would still call myself an avid cruiser.

 

In my experience and this has been a consistent procedure on all my Cruises regardless of cruiseline, they will make an announcement like 30 mins Prior and 15 mins Prior. If the drill is scheduled at lets say 4pm, they will Sound the General Alarm at 4pm sharp. As instructed People will then make their way to the Muster Station. Once all People are accounted for at the stations (and this is where the wait can be involved) the Captain will start his announcements and the General Alarm will be sounded again.

 

This is the procedure I have experienced and I´m pretty sure it is how it should be and I don´t see any wording from the cruise line that Needs to be changed.

 

Many People will have to wait at their muster stations, but those with the longest waits are those that are at the stations 10 mins Prior to the begin of the drill. It´s fine if you are early, but don´t blame your wait on me. I will make my way down there when the Alarm sounds, just like in a real emergency. Doing this I´m on time not late, even if others have been Standing in the heat/cold for 15 mins already.

 

I know there are People actually being late, but I think the main question is at what Point is one late?

Simple rule that should be in the contract. If you no show at the Muster Drill, you should be taken off the ship. But I can only wish.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

 

On my Adventure TA out of Southampton last year some people were put ashore before we cruised for that very reason.... they were (drunk &) incapable of actually making Muster..... one actually refused to go.... we departed late as a result.

 

Again on Adventure, this time out of San Juan, there were people still boarding at Muster....

 

Linda

Edited April 13, 2014 by NorbertsNiece

They should just post the time of the drill and if you're not there on time you get kicked off the ship before it sails......................or better..........after!
:D

[quote name='sr5242']Standing here waiting for muster on Indy. 15 minutes past assigned time and we can't start the drill due to people missing. Holding up whole ship!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app[/QUOTE]

Ignorance and arrogance.

[quote name='sr5242']Standing here waiting for muster on Indy. 15 minutes past assigned time and we can't start the drill due to people missing. Holding up whole ship!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app[/quote]

Isn´t part of being ready for the drill the switching off the cell phone?:rolleyes:

[quote name='beachnative']The "entitled" "me" people who do not go to muster will be the very same people who will refuse to take the mandatory dramamine when/if they have to board a life boat.:eek:[/QUOTE]

Say what? Sorry but with 15 plus cruises I, thank GOD, have never had to man (or girl :)) a life boat. So this is new to me. Of course I'll take whatever is given to me to keep me calm.

[quote name='beachnative']The "entitled" "me" people who do not go to muster will be the very same people who will refuse to take the mandatory dramamine when/if they have to board a life boat.:eek:[/QUOTE]

Guess I'm not sure what you mean by this? Everyone has to take dramamine to get on the lifeboat?

[quote name='Vitality08']Guess I'm not sure what you mean by this? Everyone has to take dramamine to get on the lifeboat?[/quote]

What is wrong with a good slug of rum? It worked for the Navy for hundreds of years!:D

How do you determine who is late and who is just caught in the huge crowds of people trying to get to their station?

If the announcement is that the drill starts at 4 pm sharp, then it's easier to tell who is late although I would bet people would still be late because of the crowds all trying to get somewhere at the same time. On the ship, tho, they say when you hear the alarm proceed to your muster station? Of course everyone should proceed to their station in an orderly and safe manner but who actually is late unless they say "get there in 10 minutes".

I've been to a few drills and it seems there's always a steady stream of people pouring in. I can't say I've noticed people running up well after the majority of the crowd arrived appearing to be drastically late.

deleted Edited April 13, 2014 by beachnative

[quote name='Vitality08']How do you determine who is late and who is just caught in the huge crowds of people trying to get to their station?



If the announcement is that the drill starts at 4 pm sharp, then it's easier to tell who is late although I would bet people would still be late because of the crowds all trying to get somewhere at the same time. On the ship, tho, they say when you hear the alarm proceed to your muster station? Of course everyone should proceed to their station in an orderly and safe manner but who actually is late unless they say "get there in 10 minutes".



I've been to a few drills and it seems there's always a steady stream of people pouring in. I can't say I've noticed people running up well after the majority of the crowd arrived appearing to be drastically late.[/QUOTE]


My wife and I usually wait for the alarm to go off before we start heading down. We are usually trying to get settled in our room and deciding what we want to do first. If we're late it's not done purposely. Got a cruise in 19 days and I can't wait!!


Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[quote name='sr5242']Standing here waiting for muster on Indy. 15 minutes past assigned time and we can't start the drill due to people missing. Holding up whole ship!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app[/QUOTE]Maybe they are older then you and can't move as fast as you.