A new muster drill procedure on Royal. Could DCL adopt it as well?

[starvenger]

Apologies for the clickbait-y title.

https://presscenter.rclcorporate.co...reinvents-cruise-industryrsquos-safety-drill/
Royal Caribbean has apparently been working on an updated version of the muster drill, which seems to take the "muster" out of it. I believe Norwegian will be implementing this as well. With 2 out of the Big 3 having bought in, could we see DCL adopting this as well?

The process sounds pretty good in theory. But how well will it work in practice? Will a ship even sail if they don't have everyone marked as having completed the drill? Should be interesting to find out when cruises resume, which at this point feels like 200 years from now.

H/T to @MichelleCanada, who posted this in the Royal forum

 

[JM23457]

Apologies for the clickbait-y title.

https://presscenter.rclcorporate.co...reinvents-cruise-industryrsquos-safety-drill/
Royal Caribbean has apparently been working on an updated version of the muster drill, which seems to take the "muster" out of it. I believe Norwegian will be implementing this as well. With 2 out of the Big 3 having bought in, could we see DCL adopting this as well?

The process sounds pretty good in theory. But how well will it work in practice? Will a ship even sail if they don't have everyone marked as having completed the drill? Should be interesting to find out when cruises resume, which at this point feels like 200 years from now.

H/T to @MichelleCanada, who posted this in the Royal forum

This!!! If only we could review the muster info on our own & check-in at our station at our own pace on embarkation day, & especially not have to listen to the super loud horn. I have an ear problem that is exacerbated by loud noise, so that is the most stressful part of the cruise for us, by far.

Please, DCL, follow Royal's lead on this!

 

[tinkerone]

In the article I read it states it can be licensed you other cruise lines. It sounds supper easy. It would be just like when the groups gathered without the gathering.
As for if the ship will sail, would it not be just like it is now? If people don't show up for the drill, which happens every cruise, they are tracked down and made to do it at a later time. I can see the same happening with this. If you haven't reported in then you will be tracked down and made to do it.
It will be very easy for them to know who does and does not do it. I would do it the minute I got into my cabin and then I could relax and finish my day without interuption.

ETA- In addition to introducing the new process on the ships of its own cruise lines – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara – Royal Caribbean Group is offering to license the patented technology to interested cruise operators and will waive patent license fees during the time the world and industry battle the global pandemic. Patent licenses have already been granted to the company’s joint venture, TUI Cruises GmbH, as well as Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

 

[Calantha]

I would do it the minute I got into my cabin and then I could relax and finish my day without interuption.

Same here. Get it done and get on with the fun!

 

[CamColt]

While the muster drill was never enjoyable, I think it's just sort of become a part of it to me, like unpacking, you gotta do it. It never bothered me too much, and it was over quick. But I think this, from what they are saying, sounds great! Pretty much anything we can do to get back to cruising, I'd be up for.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

& especially not have to listen to the super loud horn.

I get that the horn is loud, but I think it's a good idea to run it so people are aware of how it sounds. It was certainly helpful on a cruise I was on when it went off at 3:30 in the morning. As my sleep befuddled brain knew what the horn alarm was and what I should do.

As to the guests watching the information on their own - I'm not so sure. I've read there are cruise lines that require you to watch the muster information on the TV in your room, but people just put the TV on while they are unpacking/setting up their rooms, and not actually paying attention. At least, when required to stand at muster, you know most people are somewhat paying attention.

 

[vegs1]

I get that the horn is loud, but I think it's a good idea to run it so people are aware of how it sounds. It was certainly helpful on a cruise I was on when it went off at 3:30 in the morning. As my sleep befuddled brain knew what the horn alarm was and what I should do.

As to the guests watching the information on their own - I'm not so sure. I've read there are cruise lines that require you to watch the muster information on the TV in your room, but people just put the TV on while they are unpacking/setting up their rooms, and not actually paying attention. At least, when required to stand at muster, you know most people are somewhat paying attention.

I totally agree with this. Safety is of utmost importance, especially on a boat at sea. Knowing the sound of the horn is important and I agree, if left to their own devices, many people won’t watch the drill. I can’t say I love going to it but I know why I do so it’s just something to put up with. I hope they come up with something that ensures participation.

 

[Lauri]

On Princess, you watch a "Love Boat" themed TV show in your stateroom about the muster drill. Then you meet in an assigned dining room to review what you saw. That's the best of all cruise lines we've been on.

 

[Donna M]

Sounds like a good idea. I think the most important thing for cruisers is to know the location of their muster station and how to put on the life jacket. They can get that info off the tv. For those not paying attention, most would be able to get the life jacket on without instructions and there would be a lot of confusion for people to find their muster station no matter how long they stood at a drill.

I think the jackets should stay in the room since they are marked with your muster location. I would probably forget if I was in the middle of an emergency. And this way the crew will see your location marking on your jacket and send you in the right direction, easier than seeing your card.

 

[JM23457]

The horn is an ultra loud blast that can be heard (excruciatingly loudly) everywhere onboard. There won't be any confusion about that being the horn or not, in an emergency. People won't be thinking, "Is there a fire, or was that the last call for drinks?"

I agree that the biggest issue during an emergency would be people finding & actually going to their muster stations (some dorks say they won't go to theirs in an emergency because they think a different station is better), and that it would be an issue regardless of what muster drill is like, because many people panic in an emergency. That's where the labeled life jackets would come in handy.

 

[Intr3pid]

Better late than never. Airlines have been doing it for a while.

What I am not sure about is the 'patent pending' part. The process sounds like streaming a video to everyone's devices and the stateroom TVs through the cruise line app. It should be pretty easy for your app to automatically track down the viewership. In fact, Disney likely has a much more involved version of something similar they use at the parks -- such as for managing the ROTR boarding groups.

 

[Giraffe Lounge]

Better late than sorry. Airlines have been doing it for a while.

What I am not sure about is the 'patent pending' part. The process sounds like streaming a video to everyone's devices and the stateroom TVs through the cruise line app. It should be pretty easy for your app to automatically track down the viewership. In fact, Disney likely has a much more involved version of something similar they use at the parks -- such as for managing the ROTR boarding groups.

Processes can be patented, my guess is that’s what it was awarded for, not the tech.

 

[BartmanLA]

The key for such a new process is that the safety video that would be required watching would have to be set up to be viewed through the APP only, that way you can't complete the check in process until and after you view the safety video, then you can complete the Muster check in. The only issue I see is DCL being sure that every one in each stateroom's party views it, with safety being one of most important aspects of all Disney cruises, making sure that everyone onboard understands the purpose of the Muster Drill and where to go etc might be problematic for those with younger guests (kids), not to take away from this great idea though. I think it could be fine tuned to be a new and much easier procedure to complete the Muster check in from the time you board and until the usual time that they hold the drill (HORN included as it required by Maritime law) That way guests could board, do the usual stuff, find time to complete the Muster Check In, visit the appropriate location to get marked off by crew members that you've completed it and then go on your way for the cruise. Very exciting changes could take place with this. We'll see if it is adopted industry wide.

 

[auntlynne]

I like it. I’m partially Luddite, but this is a fine place for modernization.

No standing in the heat on Deck 4.

I watch the flight attendants do the safety instructions. And the crew on the ship - but I think there are a significant number of travelers who don’t. If they truly had to answer questions to be checked off the list, they will have to pay attention (or just be knowledgeable).

They can do the three short- followed by a long blast (whatever combo it is) horn demo at a designated time (like right before Sail A Wave party).

TV, app, a live session for those who don’t like electronics; even have it available on the website - multiple options is the way to reach multiple learning types. They have their own terminal at PC; have it on a continuous loop for those waiting for their Group Number to be called.

 

[KVH]

I don't think it really matters one way or the other how the drill is presented. Most of it seems pretty darn close to security theatre regardless.

Being persnickety today, I'd ask whether we have any quantifiable proof that the traditional method ACTUALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE in an emergency situation? Why don't we ask Costa Concordia guests? Then again, I'm wondering how sitting in a frickin' dining room prepares one for the absolute chaos of abandoning ship. And this assumes daytime, good weather, and calm seas.

 

[dclpluto]

The key for such a new process is that the safety video that would be required watching would have to be set up to be viewed through the APP only, that way you can't complete the check in process until and after you view the safety video, then you can complete the Muster check in. The only issue I see is DCL being sure that every one in each stateroom's party views it, with safety being one of most important aspects of all Disney cruises, making sure that everyone onboard understands the purpose of the Muster Drill and where to go etc might be problematic for those with younger guests (kids), not to take away from this great idea though. I think it could be fine tuned to be a new and much easier procedure to complete the Muster check in from the time you board and until the usual time that they hold the drill (HORN included as it required by Maritime law) That way guests could board, do the usual stuff, find time to complete the Muster Check In, visit the appropriate location to get marked off by crew members that you've completed it and then go on your way for the cruise. Very exciting changes could take place with this. We'll see if it is adopted industry wide.

lots of people will start the video and not even watch it. Not a good idea.

 

[tinkerone]

lots of people will start the video and not even watch it. Not a good idea.

I feel they’ll be the same people who would normally talk through it anyways. I’ll be happy to watch it without interruption. There of been times where we have moved away from people so that we can hear what was going on. I find too many people don’t take it seriously. Guess we will see what happens.

 

[BartmanLA]

lots of people will start the video and not even watch it. Not a good idea.

That is why Disney will most likely make it like RCCL, you can't complete the Muster Check In until the FULL process is completed including letting the entire safety video play in it's entirety. Then and only then can you proceed to the next step in the Muster Check In and finish it to completion. Getting the people to actually watch the video is another matter. Impressing on the guests the importance of the safety aspects of the Muster Drill, location of the Muster Station, and where to go during a emergency is just one thing DCL will have to figure out and cope with, or they will just continue to hold the drills as they are now, everyone crowded at their station usually in the heat, standing for a long long time until everyone arrives and they check off all the guests and go through the drill. Either way Disney will NOT skimp on the safety of the ship, crew or their guests.

 

[mevelandry]

Apologies for the clickbait-y title.

https://presscenter.rclcorporate.co...reinvents-cruise-industryrsquos-safety-drill/
Royal Caribbean has apparently been working on an updated version of the muster drill, which seems to take the "muster" out of it. I believe Norwegian will be implementing this as well. With 2 out of the Big 3 having bought in, could we see DCL adopting this as well?

The process sounds pretty good in theory. But how well will it work in practice? Will a ship even sail if they don't have everyone marked as having completed the drill? Should be interesting to find out when cruises resume, which at this point feels like 200 years from now.

H/T to @MichelleCanada, who posted this in the Royal forum

I think it is the future of safety drills. All cruise lines will do something similar.

 

[CruisingDad]

I love this idea! On our previous cruises on the Fantasy, we have felt particularly crammed together with the other folks at our muster station. I find it tough to hear and see, and then you have to fight the crowds when the drill is over. I think I would get more info from a video than a crew member talking on a bullhorn.