Let's Talk Muster Drills

[jmcathome]

Freedom in last year and in previous years was on deck at lifeboats. Bream and Breeze and Sunshine in Dining halls and theater

[kybluecruiser]

On Carnival..they are all different.

 

Worst lifeboat drill: On the Valor in San Juan, 9:30 PM, directly out side by the lifeboats (we were assigned a specific muster station number by the lifeboats). While it was the perfect place to assemble, it was loud, no one listening, couldn't hear the instructions, packed out there like sardines and nearly everyone drunk because they were partying all day and into the evening.

 

Although on Breeze I had to report to main theater/showroom, it was very organized and quiet and everyone listened. Butch, the CD, came on the PA system and relayed the instructions for those of us in the theater, while the crew, placed strategically around various points throughout the theater, "acted out" on how to put on life jackets.

 

However, after it was over, I still had no knowledge of which lifeboat I was assigned to. So that leaves me to think: If the ship is being flooded with water/going down for whatever other reason and I need to evacuate quickly, why would I want to go to the theater? I feel it would be so chaotic and a death trap. My better senses tell me to go right out to the lifeboats and get on one.

 

Did anyone watch some of the footage of those getting on the lifeboats on the Concordia? Apparently, they had trouble lowering them (some were stuck) not to mention ship was tilted and almost falling on the lifeboats.

 

On my recent Breeze cruise, I actually saw the lifeboats taken down for a lifeboat drill by the crew.

Muster station and lifeboat embarkation station are two differnt things on some ships. The muster station is an assembly point. In the event of an emergency you would meet there then your muster captian would lead you to the lifeboat embarkation station. The cruise director would relay which muster station is to go to the lifeboT embarkation station at which time. However as mentioned above some ships muster stations are the actual lifeboat embarkation stations. I've seen videos on youtube of RCI muster drills. The ones ive seen of allure is like some of carnival at differnt public spaces. Then i saw video of an actual emergency on granduer and their muster stations were at the lifeboats. As mention on the fantasy class during the muster station you meet in a public space such as a lounge or theather then are led to the lifeboat stations.

[Cruise-Crazy]

I think at this point I could lead the muster drill on some of the ships :)

[Rudyard]

On Triumph they made us go to the lifeboat stations for both of our cruises, but the two experiences were like night and day. We think it was due to the type of cruise.

 

The last time was a five day, sailing on a Monday. It was more of a relaxed, vacation style atmosphere. Everyone paid attention and the drill was over in no time.

 

The cruise before that was a four day, sailing on Thursday and had a "long weekend" feel to it. It seemed the main difference was the shorter weekend cruise had a lot of people that felt they needed to hurry up and get as drunk as possible, as fast as possible, or they wouldn't be able to enjoy themselves.

 

Muster was a joke. It took way longer than it should have due to the drunks not listening, not showing up and having to be tracked down, drunk "wooh!" girls shouting, etc. Not fun at all.

 

The good thing about that muster was that it made me want to try a longer sailing leaving on a different day of the week, so I did and never regretted it :)

[SadieN]

FWIW HAL also does muster at the lifeboats. They take roll call.

[Mom2sml]

We were on the Triumph, late August, and packed like sardines at the lifeboat station. The area was only wide enough for the group to be two deep, no breeze and we had to stand the entire time. The drill took over 45 minutes, we couldn't heat a thing and we got to "enjoy" the ship leaving port in our muster stations. I was not a happy camper. I don't mind attending the drill, I just wish others would get their act together and not make everybody wait on them. Additionally, our minor children (15 & 13) who were in a cabin across the hall had a different muster station than we did. I'm sorry but if there is an actual emergency, I want to know that my kids made it to the lifeboats so we are all going to the same location.

[mrstriceasnice]

I am dreading having to do muster drill in my wedding gown before pictures are taken. I am hoping for an indoor drill on the Sensation.

[EasyBreezy83]

Royal Caribbean was the worst muster for me by far!! I literally almost passed out from how tight they had us packed in, standing for over an hour with the sun beating on us!! I've never passed out before, but I went down! Didn't pass out, but went down to the ground. It was so embarrassing!! They ran to me and dragged me though the crowd to get to me a glass of water that a ship worker had for me. Sheesh! Talk about drama queen!! HAHA :o

 

I've found Carnival to be the best muster I've experienced. My last cruise in April, on the Breeze, they had us sitting in one of the show rooms, and we just waited there until it was over. I guess its just luck of the draw where you get sent.

[IPlayWithString]

We were on the Triumph, late August, and packed like sardines at the lifeboat station. The area was only wide enough for the group to be two deep, no breeze and we had to stand the entire time. The drill took over 45 minutes, we couldn't heat a thing and we got to "enjoy" the ship leaving port in our muster stations. I was not a happy camper. I don't mind attending the drill, I just wish others would get their act together and not make everybody wait on them. Additionally, our minor children (15 & 13) who were in a cabin across the hall had a different muster station than we did. I'm sorry but if there is an actual emergency, I want to know that my kids made it to the lifeboats so we are all going to the same location.

 

We had that happen last year also and my hubby was steamed.:mad: Since then, it seems like Muster has improved. Instead of a crew member giving the instructions, it's broadcasted on the intercom by the CD so you can hear and understand. I think on our last cruise (which was like a little over a week ago now), it only took about 20 min and we were able to watch the ship leave port.

[wannagonow123]

I hate to say this, but Carnival's muster drills are the most disorganized we have been on. That being said, most of that is due to individuals not wanting to take them seriously. On the Elation, way back when... we met in a room, explained how to put on the jacket, then we were escorted to our life boat area. This was our first cruise, and we were so confused. Earlier this year on the miracle, it took forever, because people would not stop talking and partying for the thing to start.

 

On our last few Princess cruises, we met in a room, put on our life vests, and was told to match our vest # to the boat #'s in case of emergency. No beverages were allowed. On Holland, you meet were your card tell the calls you, and they actually do a roll call. No life jackets required. Actually quiet and organized. We were done in 20 minutes including the roll call. After the muster, they announced the names & cabins of all individuals that did not attend, and had them go to guest services, as their cards were being deactivated, We sat in port for another 30 minutes, then we were gone.

 

That all being said, after our first cruise, like everyone else, we thought we were seasoned cruisers. We were on a Princess ship, back in the days when you could smoke inside your stateroom. Apparently, we smoked too much, and our alarm went off in our room. OMG, the noise, and the panic when it goes off. We ran for our jackets and could not for the life of us figure out how to put them on. My husband ran to the hallway, where it was silent. Our phone then rang, asking if we were all right. They said the smoking must have triggered the alarm, then security came and they turned it of. After that, we no longer smoked in our room (even though it was still allowed) and we pay attention at muster.