Muster Drill - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

PrincessShmoo · 03-02-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunMomof3

What suggestions do you have my family as far as the muster drill goes:

We have a 10 year-old with autism who does so-so with big crowds, and I will still be in my post-surgical boot (not happy to hear that from the doc on Thursday). Should we go early or wait so that we can be more towards the front? My only cruise experience has been DH & I on Carnival and early arrivals ended up against the wall with several rows of people in front of them...

Well, that's pretty much how it is on DCL, also. Early people are against the wall. However, if you were there early, I've noticed, they tend to try to put those who require special assistance on the side where fewer people are.

CajunMomof3 · 03-02-2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessShmoo

Well, that's pretty much how it is on DCL, also. Early people are against the wall. However, if you were there early, I've noticed, they tend to try to put those who require special assistance on the side where fewer people are.

That is very good to know. We will definitely go early. Thanks!

neg58 · 03-02-2013, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunMomof3

What suggestions do you have my family as far as the muster drill goes:

We have a 10 year-old with autism who does so-so with big crowds, and I will still be in my post-surgical boot (not happy to hear that from the doc on Thursday). Should we go early or wait so that we can be more towards the front? My only cruise experience has been DH & I on Carnival and early arrivals ended up against the wall with several rows of people in front of them...

I'd go early. if you are on deck, you'll be in short lines, usually just your cabin, with your backs to the inside of the ship and facing the railing. Next group comes up and lines up next to you. If you are inside a theater or restaurant, you can get a seat.

Nancy

SnipsNSnails · 03-02-2013, 06:39 PM

Yes, they had us line up tallest to shortest in a line so my dad at the back against the wall and the boys in the front,but those who came later did filter in front but there were a couple other people in front of us. My son has sensory processing disorder and didn't like the noise and crowd and actually headed to the back by my dad because there was a bench there and that created a little pocket next to him and my son sat there on the bench facing my dad and it was easier for him to have a wall and my dad and one other person than to be in the middle of the crowd. It wasn't long enough that it turned into a problem at all. He had more trouble waiting to disembark, the lounge was crowded and it was hot and he ended up throwing up just before we left the ship (in a trash can thankfully).

SnowWhite2 · 03-02-2013, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACJT

How does muster drill work on DCL. Do all in the cabin need to be present. I.e. little kids.

Where were you going to put your kids during the drill? Do other cruise lines allow this?

TDC Nala · 03-02-2013, 10:23 PM

You will not be wearing the lifejackets as you're no longer required to bring them. But yes, everyone has to be counted, even kids, even babies.

abajorek · 03-03-2013, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDC Nala

You will not be wearing the lifejackets as you're no longer required to bring them. But yes, everyone has to be counted, even kids, even babies.

I have a 3 year old that will need entertaining. OK to bring a silent toy or book or iPhone/iPad with video and headphones for him while waiting for people to show?

cruisecrasher · 03-03-2013, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abajorek

I have a 3 year old that will need entertaining. OK to bring a silent toy or book or iPhone/iPad with video and headphones for him while waiting for people to show?

No electronic toys or phones. It's honestly not that long or bad. I took DD when she was three and there's plenty of people watching to do during the drill.

moosecrouse · 03-03-2013, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunMomof3

What suggestions do you have my family as far as the muster drill goes:

We have a 10 year-old with autism who does so-so with big crowds, and I will still be in my post-surgical boot (not happy to hear that from the doc on Thursday). Should we go early or wait so that we can be more towards the front? My only cruise experience has been DH & I on Carnival and early arrivals ended up against the wall with several rows of people in front of them...

Last summer I travelled with my nephew who is autistic. My SIL made sure to note this before we sailed with the staff. During the muster she mentioned to CM that he has problems with large crowds and they allowed them to stand off to side while rest of party went to their spots. On another note I could believe how wonderful our dining staff was. He is an extremely picky eater. At the time he would only eat chicken fingers & fries. Luckily he loved the ones from the pool deck so BIL bought a plate to our first MDR meal. The head server asked why they had the food with them. He told them to not bring it and that he would be sure to have a plate at the table waiting for him. Needless to say we took extra care of our servers who took extra care of us and made sure to point it out to guest services.

CajunMomof3 · 03-03-2013, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosecrouse

Last summer I travelled with my nephew who is autistic. My SIL made sure to note this before we sailed with the staff. During the muster she mentioned to CM that he has problems with large crowds and they allowed them to stand off to side while rest of party went to their spots. On another note I could believe how wonderful our dining staff was. He is an extremely picky eater. At the time he would only eat chicken fingers & fries. Luckily he loved the ones from the pool deck so BIL bought a plate to our first MDR meal. The head server asked why they had the food with them. He told them to not bring it and that he would be sure to have a plate at the table waiting for him. Needless to say we took extra care of our servers who took extra care of us and made sure to point it out to guest services.

Thanks for this info. We are nervous about how he will do but decided that since he loves WDW so much that a DCL cruise should be fine, we typically try to do things as normally as possible, but I don't want to start the trip on a bad note. It is good to know that the CM are so accommodating.

2CME911 · 03-03-2013, 07:14 AM

Agree totally with these suggestions cajunmom. Find a CM as soon as you get to your muster and be upfront with them about your concerns. They will do whatever they can to make the process as atraumatic as possible. Best of luck!

CajunMomof3 · 03-03-2013, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2CME911

Agree totally with these suggestions cajunmom. Find a CM as soon as you get to your muster and be upfront with them about your concerns. They will do whatever they can to make the process as atraumatic as possible. Best of luck!

Off-topic, but I guess I'm not quite awake yet because when I first read your post I thought you said the CM would make it as TRAUMATIC as possible! I missed the a .... Lol

Tonka's Skipper · 03-03-2013, 07:48 AM

Saddly yopur not reqiured to wear the lifevests to the drill anymore.

Hopefully that will change after all the recent incidents, but

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, take the lifevests out of the closet and have EVERYONE try them on and contact all the straps! Its not always as easy to do as it looks and trying to get it connected and adjusted while in a emergency situation, a fire, the vessel rolling/pitching the vessel only on emergency power and the passageways crowded and semi dark is not the time.

AKK

ilovetexas · 03-03-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonka's Skipper

Saddly yopur not reqiured to wear the lifevests to the drill anymore.

Hopefully that will change after all the recent incidents, but

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, take the lifevests out of the closet and have EVERYONE try them on and contact all the straps! Its not always as easy to do as it looks and trying to get it connected and adjusted while in a emergency situation, a fire, the vessel rolling/pitching the vessel only on emergency power and the passageways crowded and semi dark is not the time.

AKK

I worry that many of us who are used to cruising get complacent about this. I know I did after they quit making us wear the jackets to the drills. Lately, I've been reminding myself to check out the jackets in the cabins, etc.

Slightly off topic, but I really wish they would (and I know they won't) change policies about bars and pools prior to muster drill. No buckets of beer sold prior to and close ALL bars and pools one hour before scheduled drill. If people are sitting around bored waiting for the bars/pools to reopen, there's a MUCH higher chance everyone will get their rear ends to the drill on time!

kddlm · 03-03-2013, 09:14 AM

First time cruiser so excuse my naive question.....how do you know where your muster station is? Posted on door??

03-02-2013, 06:39 PM	#19
SnipsNSnails DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 850	Yes, they had us line up tallest to shortest in a line so my dad at the back against the wall and the boys in the front,but those who came later did filter in front but there were a couple other people in front of us. My son has sensory processing disorder and didn't like the noise and crowd and actually headed to the back by my dad because there was a bench there and that created a little pocket next to him and my son sat there on the bench facing my dad and it was easier for him to have a wall and my dad and one other person than to be in the middle of the crowd. It wasn't long enough that it turned into a problem at all. He had more trouble waiting to disembark, the lounge was crowded and it was hot and he ended up throwing up just before we left the ship (in a trash can thankfully). __________________ 7/1996 - CBR, 12/1998 - BC, 12/2008 - Pop DDP, 9/2011 - CBR DDP, 2/2013 - DCL Magic, 6/2013 - DL BWPPI 4 Generations Do WDW - Sept 2011 Trip Report

03-02-2013, 10:23 PM	#21
TDC Nala 1937, what a year that was Diet Coke on Ice or Else I apparently don't do anything they want to stimulate Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Not far enough outside the Beltway Posts: 54,516	You will not be wearing the lifejackets as you're no longer required to bring them. But yes, everyone has to be counted, even kids, even babies. __________________

03-03-2013, 07:14 AM	#26
2CME911 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Scarborough, Maine Posts: 185	Agree totally with these suggestions cajunmom. Find a CM as soon as you get to your muster and be upfront with them about your concerns. They will do whatever they can to make the process as atraumatic as possible. Best of luck! __________________ 2CME911 Fantasy Easter(n) April 19, 2014 Roll Call: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...84&postcount=7

03-03-2013, 09:14 AM	#30
kddlm Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ocean, NJ (Monmouth County) Posts: 414	First time cruiser so excuse my naive question.....how do you know where your muster station is? Posted on door?? __________________ Kim, Dan, Danny (18), Lindsey (12 1/2) Offsite (1989)/Dixie's Landing (1997)/Caribbean Beach (2004)/DVC Owner (2005)/SSR October (2005)/ AKL/OKW (August 2006) WON A TRIP!OKW (August 2007)/OKW (April 2008)/ VBR/OKW (April 2009/ Spring Break Trip-OKW/VBR (2010) September 2010 - OKW April/May 2012 - BWV DCL-Fantasy March 2013

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03-03-2013, 07:48 AM	#28
Tonka's Skipper DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Connecticut in the Good Ole USA Posts: 3,155	Saddly yopur not reqiured to wear the lifevests to the drill anymore. Hopefully that will change after all the recent incidents, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, take the lifevests out of the closet and have EVERYONE try them on and contact all the straps! Its not always as easy to do as it looks and trying to get it connected and adjusted while in a emergency situation, a fire, the vessel rolling/pitching the vessel only on emergency power and the passageways crowded and semi dark is not the time. AKK