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The muster drill will occur prior to sail away, and every passenger onboard will be required to either attend a physical all-ship drill or complete it virtually on the cruise line's app. Note, though, that if you have the option to participate via the app, you will still have to physically visit your muster station. Cruise muster drills are mandatory safety briefings that all passengers must attend before the ship is allowed to sail. Regardless of using the traditional or the newly introduced e-muster process, cruise lines are required by law to complete the safety drill before leaving the dock or immediately following the ship’s departure. International convention safety standards form the foundation of maritime safety rules.
Q: What is a cruise ship muster drill?
However, if you refuse to attend the makeup drill as well, the ship may force you to disembark at the next port of call. Again, the muster drills are part of maritime regulation and not optional for crew or passengers. Even if you feel these drills are a waste of time, muster a bit of cooperation to avoid getting marooned. Typically, cruise ships run a makeup muster drill for all the no-shows.
What is a cruise ship muster drill?
These digital options make getting important safety info easier while keeping things flexible for passengers. Their work emphasizes the importance of following international convention safety standards. Their efforts help create a safety-focused culture aboard each vessel.
Introduction to Muster Drills on Cruise Ships
Who Is Happy About the Return of Traditional Muster Drills? - TravelAge West
Who Is Happy About the Return of Traditional Muster Drills?.
Posted: Sat, 25 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
It must now happen before the ship departs or immediately on departure. An e-muster drill is a detailed video explaining to cruisers where to go and what to do in nautical emergencies. Some cruise lines still opt for the e-muster drill option or a combination of electronic and in-person drills. During a muster drill, the siren will go off, and cruisers are expected to assemble at their muster station quickly.
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Pay attention and keep your phone in your pocket while the crew are speaking. Bring your cruise card with you, as this will be scanned to record and prove that you attended. What should cruisers know about e-mustering, and what have Cruise Critic's editors learned?
If you didn’t know already crew members have their own muster drills as well. This involves how to use lifeboats/life rafts in an emergency (lifeboat drill) and potential issues to look out for while onboard. It’s always reassuring to hear the crew have regular updates on how to keep everyone safe and know what to do in an emergency situation.
The Legal Implications and Requirements for Muster Drills
The crew member running the drill will explain why this is important. They will also explain what you should do if you are in another part of the ship in an emergency. Typically, each passenger’s assigned muster point will be indicated on their key card and in their cabin. Each ship deck will also have signs directing passengers where to go in an emergency.
You cannot simply skip your muster drill, as you will be forced to attend a makeup drill. If you refuse, you can be forced to exit the ship at its next port of call. Once the demonstrations have been concluded, the crew member in charge of the muster drill will field questions from passengers. They can also offer clarification and repeat any information that any passenger was unclear about. On most ships, this demonstration also doubles as the official start of the muster drill. True emergencies are rare at sea, but it's important for everyone on board to know what to do if an "abandon ship" order is given by the captain.
They’ll be stationed in the stairways and corridors where your cabin is located. Should you get lost or you’re unsure of where to go, the crew – who’ll be wearing high-vis jackets – will be able to guide you in the right direction. In this COVID-era, some of that practical information is being lost in the myriad of changing health and safety protocols related to the coronavirus.
Everyone -- even children -- must attend the muster drill, even if they've sailed on the same ship or cruise line previously. Passengers should also remain quiet and follow instructions during the drill so everyone can hear the safety briefing. Here's our breakdown on what "muster" means on a cruise ship, what to expect from muster drills and more. SOLAS seeks to hold all vessels to a consistent standard of safety to avoid further loss of life in a similar situation. They originally stated that muster drills had to occur within 24 hours of sailaway. Further, the muster drill can be confusing for some—particularly the elderly and children—both of whom often require additional assistance locating and moving towards assigned muster stations.
Once familiar with muster points, you will be given a demonstration of the emergency signal going off if you need to assemble at your muster point. Historically, the word “muster” has been used in the military to assemble troops quickly for inspection, exercise, or display. What originally started as the Latin word "monstrare," meaning “to show,” has transformed through the ages from Latin, then to French, and finally to current Modern English to signify a group of people coming together for a purpose. Catch one of these cruises from Miami, Orlando, or even New York City.
Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer. Muster 2.0 is both flexible and encourages an even higher level of safety. 40,000 people receive my best cruise tips, insights and guides every week. I create cruise content across YouTube, this website and my social accounts, all with the aim of helping you to find, and take your perfect cruise.
When I sailed on the first ship to leave the UK after the pandemic – the MSC Virtuosa – Muster station locations were projected onto the dome, which I thought was very helpful. It is unusual to find this type of traditional Muster Drill on a mainstream cruise ship now. This meant that guests could not really start to enjoy their cruise holiday until the Muster Drill was completed. Pre covid, Muster Drills would be completed by gathering together all guests in their allocated Muster Station area at the same time. The time, location and specifics of the Muster Drill will vary by cruise line.
Here's what you need to know about the cruise ship muster drill, including what it is and why it is important. The above photo shows a selection of screenshots from Royal Caribbean’s Muster 2.0 technology. This technology allows passengers to complete muster drills electronically on their phones. An E-muster or Virtual Muster Drill involves guests watching safety videos prior to boarding the ship or onboard on the cabin TV. Prior to the Costa Concordia disaster of 2012, the muster drill was required to take place within 24 hours of embarkation.
The traditional drill, on the other hand, involves all passengers participating at once in a large venue like the theatre and takes minutes which takes precious time out of your cruise holiday. All bars and restaurants onboard would be shut at a set time, and the crew would man the stairs or Muster stations to assist with the drill. Cruise lines are legally bound by SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) to provide a Muster Drill for all guests. The cruise line would be breaking the law if it, for whatever reason, didn’t conduct the muster drill correctly. The Covid cruising shutdown changed many things about the cruise industry. One of the biggest changes relates to the Muster (safety) Drill that is conducted on every cruise.
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