For Those Who DON'T Go to the Lifeboat Drill

[inkkognito]

Cruzindon,
They didn't need a drill because they didn't have lifeboats! (well, not nearly enough).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[smjj]

I know on on our cruises, we all attended them but on a couple ,the location was such that if there was an emergency, we would need to try and get to the other end of the ship. The location is chosen by your cabin location and we did not spend that much time in our cabin and if woken from a sound sleep, I am not so sure I could find it again. One was in Animators Palatte and during the drill we went thru a large opening that the rest of the cruise was closed and I first was confused when I could not find this opening again. It took us down a back stair to the back of the restaurant. From there I guess we were to follow a crew member but all they did was take our name then dismissed us....smjj

 

[disboo]

We have gone to three drills on three cruises - once on the deck outside and twice in Animator's Palate. My main complaint is that I can not hear/understand the announcements.

As for why someone might skip the drill, on one cruise I saw one very confused family that didn't speak much English trying to figure out where to go (CMs helped), and it occurred to me that non-ENglish speakers might not know what to do/where to go in a drill - or emergency. Which is another reason a drill is important.

(I am appalled to hear that a CM would be so rude to people duringt he drill - would a written note to Disney with his name have made any difference, do you think?)

 

[makaylee]

Alot of people seem to dread the lifeboat drill. I don't know why, it wasn't a big deal at all. A few minutes and it was over, better safe than sorry.

 

[hydster]

I dread it! I dread every single second of it now with my youngest based on my other drill in 2002. Me personally, I agree it's no big deal and takes only a few minutes out of the vacation but in the event of needing to know it it is nice to have the knowledge...but I dread it in 4 1/2 weeks with my 5 year old. He's already crying about it and wigging out and we have a month before we go!! If I could skip it with him I would just because it is a bad memory for both of us!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Hydster, I would try hyping the experience (in a good way) as much as possible to your 5 year old! Maybe buy him a captain or sailor hat to wear to it, or wrap a small gift as a "surprise" to open during the drill. By putting a positive spin on it, it might relieve some of his anxiety. Good luck!

 

[Gigashadow]

hydster, Goto your local Marine or Sporting Goods store and get him his "own" USCG Type II PFD - Youth or Child Size that fits properly and let him have a ball with it! Add it with CarolAnnK's suggestion. The PFD "Lifevest" will cost only @ $8.00 max (Boat Season is here prices already gone up - Look for sale and cheapest one if you dont boat), you wont be able to supplement this one with the DCL vest for the cruise, but it will help get over the initial or second "GET THIS THING OFF ME!!!!!!!!!"

 

[hydster]

Carol Ann GREAT idea! Thanks! I think the opening of a small little gift will be great! I may buy him one to open every minute of the drill! LOL

Gigashadow...actually the weird thing is we own a boat and time share in a houseboat and my 5 year old is very adept at wearing life jackets...I think most of his problem on the drill was that he was facing the sun, in front of his brother and sister, away from me, he was hot, over stimluated and just cranky. We'd spent 4 days at WDW beforehand but it never entered my mind that he'd have a problem with the drill since he spends about 6 months out of the year in a lifejacket. I think he just equates the whole lifeboat drill to what he felt back then and the fact that he was told he was naughty to feel that way and that Mickey wouldnt come see him. My inlaws have about 3 min of video of him in his lifejacket before the drill so we've been watching it a lot lately and I have bribed the living daylights out of him if he is good during the lifeboat drill we'll go buy him something special at the gift shop when it opens.

I just hope he is old enough to deal with it this time! I think a hat, some sunglasses and not so many days at WDW beforehand will help along with not needing a nap anymore.

Thanks again!
Heidi

 

[minniemouse1]

On our last cruise in Oct my husband attended with our 2 1/2 yo and I stayed in the room with our 1 1/2 yo who was asleep. THe CM did not have a problem with this at our particular location. He told my husband as long as someone was represented from the room it was okay. I don't know anyone that has not shown up at all.

 

[LindaBabe]

about the lifeboat drill because of last year's experience- the life jacket fit me like a straight jacket, couldn't turn my head, look down, or breathe without smelling it. I had to lie down afterwards!

This time was a very different story - It wasn't so hot. I had my cane and the life jacket in the other hand. The crewmember on my floor sent me down the elevator. Another crewperson very efficiently inserted me in the jacket with a minimum of pain. Another one helped me out of it at the end. I don't think the whole thing lasted 20 minutes from room back to room.

The crewmembers go through a full scale emergency drill every second Nassau day, for which I am very thankful!

 

[Tony M]

Somewhat of a tradition, though.
See, on our honeymoon years ago on the "Big Red Boat" we had just got a camcorder as a wedding gift and many "adult" beverages as "Welcome Aboard" gifts that graced our room upon arrival. The "Big Red Boat" was not as entertaining as DCL so the fun began to pour. The "Big Red Boat" did not have lifeboat stations but we all met for the safety drill in the main room that had a bar at the end. So there we sat, drinks in hand and lifevests up around our ears. It was kind of funny in an intoxicated kind of way. And that's when the videotape began to roll.
Ah... memories.
Unfortunately somethings are best unvideo-ed and upon sober review, the lifeboat drill was not nearly as humorous as when under the influence.
Flash Forward 12 years to the "Anniversary Cruise" on the DCL Wonder.
Since the first event was recorded, the Anniversary cruise had to be similar. So... "Lights, Camera, Action!"
The CM's were actually comical and they made numerous references to the "Wacko with the Camcorder".
It was an experience to remember, but probably never again necessary to be recorded.

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I have been on 5 Disney cruises and I decided to stay in the room and send my Husband on our last cruise. I had a terrible headache and layed down while Hubby went to the drill. No one said a word. I asked my Hubby if anyone asked where I was, no one did. I do think attending the lifeboat drill is very important but if someone in your party is unable to go you should send the rest of your party to find out all the details.


Teri

 

[Jeanny]

to share my "lifeboat drill" story, we were on the Magic in January (HEY Brack & Annette!!!). Our station was outside on deck 4, me being totally blonde couldn't figure out HOW to put the lifejacket on, we had really nice CM's who entertained us the whole time!! one even helped me put my lifejacket on and laughed when I told him I that I was having a blonde moment and couldn't figure it out . It's not a hard concept, I just couldn't figure out all the straps and buckles!!

We were in the back of the line, a CM put three tall & huge (and I mean HUGE) people in front of me and a family on the left of us, well, that's when my claustophobia started kicking in... they made everyone squish together and I started to panic, I practically pushed the kids beside us out of the way and told the CM I couldn't stay back there. He saw the panic look and let me stand in front. Another CM came along and tried to make me move, the first CM came over and said "NO, she stays there!!!"

back to the details what happens during the drill==the CM's call out cabin #'s and you tell them you're there, then they call out the missing cabin#'s and mark off the cabin when people answer... seems like everyone in our area reported on time as we were there for maybe 20 minutes.

To answer your question, I have heard that the cabins that don't show up (for whatever reason) receive a letter stating the importance of the drill.

 

[aprilgail2]

Our last Disney cruise a CM knocked on our door when it was time for the lifeboat drill and then stood at our door until we were all out of the room and then they closed our door but they did make sure we were ALL out. There is really no excuse for not going..I woke my daughter up and it took all of 25 minutes for the whole drill but at least we knew where to go and what to do if something happened...I can't imagine anyone not going willingly....if something happened I certainly wouldn't want those people that didn't go around me not knowing what to do!!

 

[Madden6]

We were on the Magic in the beginning of the month and we too missed to saftey drill. For no good reason except for the family had fallen asleep. To tell you the truth I figured they would continue to air it on the tv throughout the day too. But anyway, I will never do that again. We did get a letter saying that we should take to time to look over the exits and meeting places. But again, its worth it to take the time out and go.

Kate

 

[Mermaid02]

Just a quick story.... During our drill in January 2002 I had the funniest/nicest thing happen. Being a short woman, the only person shorter than me (therefore standing in front of me) was a little girl of about 8 or 9. She turned around and looked at me and said, "How old are you?" I looked down at her (her Mom was behind me and I heard her gasp when her dd asked) I said, "How old do you THINK I am??" She sized me up for a few seconds and said, "Nineteen" to which I replied, "You are the SMARTEST little girl on this ship!" Every time I saw her after that during the cruise we exchanged giggles and smiles..... it was really one of the nicest things that happened on that trip! BTW... I was 34.