DCL muster drills vs. other cruiselines

[wdwlovin'family]

This is our first cruise and my in-laws first DCL cruise. The other day when I was talking to my mil, she began to tell me how the muster drill is her least favorite part of the entire cruise and how it's just horrible with people yelling and pushing and rushing around, all crammed on the deck. I tried telling her that maybe DCL would be different and that on disney cruises, some of the muster stations would be inside so maybe it wouldn't be so cramped. Of course, she thought I was crazy when I said that and that they wouldn't do that at all. Then, doing a little investigation on my own, I have discovered that our muster station is indeed inside in Evolution. Lord knows what her reaction will be to that, but I will just let her find out on the cruise.

Just wondering, are DCL muster drills that different from other cruislines? Are people pushing and stressed and yelling? I think they have only sailed Carnival previously. I know it's not a big deal. Just curious.

 

[woody73]

Just wondering, are DCL muster drills that different from other cruislines?

No.

Woody

 

[Raspberry Beret]

This is our first cruise and my in-laws first DCL cruise. The other day when I was talking to my mil, she began to tell me how the muster drill is her least favorite part of the entire cruise and how it's just horrible with people yelling and pushing and rushing around, all crammed on the deck. I tried telling her that maybe DCL would be different and that on disney cruises, some of the muster stations would be inside so maybe it wouldn't be so cramped. Of course, she thought I was crazy when I said that and that they wouldn't do that at all. Then, doing a little investigation on my own, I have discovered that our muster station is indeed inside in Evolution. Lord knows what her reaction will be to that, but I will just let her find out on the cruise.

Just wondering, are DCL muster drills that different from other cruislines? Are people pushing and stressed and yelling? I think they have only sailed Carnival previously. I know it's not a big deal. Just curious.

No, other cruise lines do the same as DCL. Some stations are inside and some are outside. Never saw people pushing and yelling.

 

[n8tivecaligirl]

I have been on 3 different CLs. DCL is the easiest and most "fun". If your Muster is inside it can get "crowded" but the staff makes sure that those who need chairs get chairs. They make things quick and "painless" except for the 20 minutes out of your vacation . If shes worried about pushing an crowding just show up to your muster 5 minutes before they sound the muster drill "alarm". That way she won't be rushed or crowded. Have a great trip!

 

[jdb in AZ]

We go a few minutes early so it isn't a hassle to get a seat. The only problem with crowding is afterward when everyone wants to be the first to get on the elevators. You can either stay seated for a few minutes, or find something else to do that doesn't involve elevators and you'll be fine.

 

[MelMtlk]

This is by far my most worried thoughts. I have been on a cruise before, bUT never with my kids. My 3 year old is autistic and I am scared he will have major meltdowns and we will get "the" look from others who don't know his story!

 

[TDC Nala]

Nobody was pushing and stressed and yelling except those trying to get kids in line. It's awhile to wait for kids. Yes, some muster stations are outside, and you have to stand. Last time I was outside it was September and the ship was being bombarded with love bugs. They like white surfaces. Yes, we had to stand out there with the love bugs while all the announcements were read in both English and Spanish (the Spanish was supposed to be a temporary thing because they had a lot of guests from South America.)

 

[darkwing818]

We did a Celebrity cruise a few years back, & our muster station was in the casino . On our DCL cruises we've been inside & outside (never any pushing), really not a problem either way. Although when we were inside; we were in the theater & able to sit down. Relax, tell your MIL not to worry & you'll get her a mimosa when you get on board.

 

[mom2val]

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[Capt_BJ]

in my past line of work I formed the opinion that you could tell a LOT about a cruise line by how they conduct this required drill. It is one of the things ships are 'graded' on when USCG does their inspections.

From our first, inagural year cruise on Magic I've had the opinion that Disney did an above average job in this regard. More organised, less confusion, than many. It IS one of the factors I use when deciding what lines I'll sail again and which I won't.

 

[cw21726]

Ok you by-the-Disney-book types can look away.

We've been through these before. A lot. On other lines we've been known to sit on our balcony while the drill is in progress...very quietly. Any chance of this being duplicated with DCL?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok you by-the-Disney-book types can look away.

We've been through these before. A lot. On other lines we've been known to sit on our balcony while the drill is in progress...very quietly. Any chance of this being duplicated with DCL?

I wouldn't count on it. They take room numbers when you arrive at your designated location. If you're not there, I believe you receive a notice in your room requiring you to attend a "make up drill". So you haven't really saved anything by skipping. Except making the original drill last a bit longer while they call for those missing rooms before starting the actual drill.

 

[cw21726]

Fair enough. Thanks!

 

[maria-fan-22]

Ok you by-the-Disney-book types can look away.

We've been through these before. A lot. On other lines we've been known to sit on our balcony while the drill is in progress...very quietly. Any chance of this being duplicated with DCL?

DCL wont let you... It's not that you shouldn't, it's that you cant... Everyone who has ever missed the drill has always reported getting a "sternly worded letter" from the captain making you go to a make up drill...

DCL generally has the most thorough muster drill I have ever seen. Other lines just show video sometimes. DCL also held out the longest on the lifejacket deal... DCL takes these drills seriously, as they should.

 

[kristinfly2]

We had to wait an extra ten minutes for it to start because the people in the room next to ours didn't show up for the drill!

 

[GusGus77]

Yes, please don't try to skip out on the drill. It just makes the drill longer for the rest of us as we have to wait in case you show up. and when you have kids you really want the drill over as fast as possible!

 

[sgc1107]

It's been 4 years since I've been.... Are you still required to bring life vest too?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It's been 4 years since I've been.... Are you still required to bring life vest too?

No.

 

[Melissa S]

We had to wait an extra ten minutes for it to start because the people in the room next to ours didn't show up for the drill!

This happened to us on our last cruise. It was the only one we had so far that we had to stand outside (vs. being comfy in AP or the theatre) and we were so annoyed. The worst part is when the woman finally showed up twenty minutes later with a drink in hand, she complained that she had to show up to the drill. She had a whole lifeboat full of people angry at her. Especially the elderly people who had to stand in the heat. She's lucky we didn't need those lifeboats or else she would have went overboard!

 

[bahacca]

This happened to us on our last cruise. It was the only one we had so far that we had to stand outside (vs. being comfy in AP or the theatre) and we were so annoyed. The worst part is when the woman finally showed up twenty minutes later with a drink in hand, she complained that she had to show up to the drill. She had a whole lifeboat full of people angry at her. Especially the elderly people who had to stand in the heat. She's lucky we didn't need those lifeboats or else she would have went overboard!

I was thinking the exact same thing!