Muster drill strategy

[JWG]

I don't think there's a good strategy other than DON'T BE LATE. At least go right when the horn sounds or very shortly after. If you're late they start calling the staterooms over the ships PA system and we all wait for them to show up. Just delays the whole process.

If you're station is in the theater, get there early otherwise you get crammed in the aisles. If you're there early you can take an enjoyable seat in the AC and wait it out.

 

[Quellman]

The best scenario for muster drills is when you are indoors, sitting down. When your muster station is on deck, you might have to stand in the sun...We arrived early & the CM in charge wouldn't let me move to the back of the group (which was just starting to form) to avoid the sun, so I baked.

Next time if I'm on deck, I'm waiting inside until the last minute to go out. Not until they call our cabin or anything, but I'll be sure we're at the back of the crowd that's headed outside. I don't care where I have to stand as long as it's only for a couple of minutes. But 10 or 15 full minutes standing in direct sun, which can happen if you arrive asap, is misery.

There is a thread for the Dream and Fantasy muster stations. The original poster can increase their inside location chances if they consult before you book. Link HERE.

 

[Sytrace]

We are usually in the theater but a few times we were port side on deck and it was fine.
We have learned to arrive closer to the actual beginning time and to just sit and wait until the massive crowds have cleared the stairway and elevators. Even forward elevators and stairs are packed with folks all trying to get up to Deck 11 and 12 for the Sailaway party.
That being said, we just go to our cabin to wave from our veranda (Deck 10 starboard forward)
Or, if our cabin happens to be port side, we will hang out on Deck 4 starboard and wave to the Cast members on the dock from there.
Pack your patience and understand that everyone is trying to get to the same place and are all excited to be on the way (and bored from the drill of course) lol A little consideration goes a long way.

 

[Cheerio]

We've been on three cruises, first one was on deck, 2nd was in the Tube and 3rd in theBuena Vista Theatre, we've booked our 4th in the same room as our 3rd, so again we'll be in the Buena Vista Theatre. I agree, don't be early just wait until you hear the alarm and head to your station.

 

[Justacruiser]

If you are not in an inside room you can see if it is sunny or not outside. If not, just be un upper deck or on deck 4 before the drill. That way you can have a good idea of the weather on deck none. Unless it is windy there is little wind on deck 4 during the muster. So it can be hot will little air movement.

Also, we head down about 10 minutes early. We just find our station and get settled in for a while. I want to rant a little about those cruisers that are so entitled that they wait past the time for the drill. Understand, I saw no mention to anyone posting they wait till after the muster. I would just like to add as others have that this is 15 minutes out of our lives and it would just nice for everyone to show up on time, get the muster done and get on with our cruise. IMHO they shouldn't have to call any room numbers, that's just crazy to me. Those are the same folks that will be late meeting your excursion times......

The bigger issue for me is that rush of folks after the drill heading up stairs. That is just nuts, everyone racing to who knows where. It's just for me to sit and watch all the running.......

And a note, hang out around the gift shops that evening...... You would think folks had never been in a store to shop for Disney stuff. Gotta love it!

 

[Billinaz]

I don't think there's a good strategy other than DON'T BE LATE. At least go right when the horn sounds or very shortly after. If you're late they start calling the staterooms over the ships PA system and we all wait for them to show up. Just delays the whole process.

If you're station is in the theater, get there early otherwise you get crammed in the aisles. If you're there early you can take an enjoyable seat in the AC and wait it out.

I wait 5 to 10 minutes after the alarms go off. Our station is in the theater. When we get there, its full so we just stand by the doors and leave first.....

 

[IrishEye]

I think they should just show the last part of Titanic for muster, as that would be closer to what would really happen in an emergency, rather than people calmly walking to their prearranged station to form lines neatly arranged by height.

Thankfully that is not how it goes, people do report to their stations in an orderly manner. During a real emergency they do not arrange by height however they do check you in. When the Concordia went down the guests reported to their stations when ordered (well after the actual impact) in a very orderly fashion mostly because the crew was very calm and professional and because they had been given instructions at the drill. Even as the life boats that were lowered for use were being boarded, there was still not mass panic or confusion. The cruise industry has learned a lot from historic disasters and train their people extensively in order to avoid any panic. We have been on 37 cruises across 7 different cruise lines and find if we head to the drill with a positive attitude it is a lot easier, DD has been doing them since she was 5 and discovered early if she brings a cap she can use it to block some sun by the way she holds it out in front of her. Think positive and prepare, this does not have to be burdensome.

 

[professorandmom]

I encourage you to think about the time of year and location of the port if you have an outside station...an end-of-July drill at PC was utterly miserable for all of us (drenched in sweat). I wish I had prepared better: sunglasses, and other tricks we used at the parks before the cruise to stay cool...just explaining to my children the importance of being hot and sweaty (and its relatively short duration) would have made the experience better for everyone

That said, a drill in Miami in December was a wonderful experience standing in the sun for this northerner - warmed my bones

One recommendation: pay close attention to the face of the CM in charge - it makes a great "scavenger hunt" during the cruise for the kids to try to see if the CM is in the productions (a very attractive Hercules was a wonderful treat from a past cruise)

 

[lizzyb]

On our last 2 cruises our drill was on the deck which got very chaotic, thankfully, it looks like our next one will be in the theatre.

 

[cyclenut]

What I suggest you do is find your muster station after you board. It will be the largest single letter printed on your KTTW card. Scout it out in advance so you know if you will need to bring something to make yourself more comfortable. We typically try to figure out where muster will be right after we visit our stateroom for the first time so we know the path to the muster station from our stateroom. Our routine is to get lunch, visit our stateroom, find our muster station and then go enjoy the ship until muster drill. Sometimes we find luggage will begin arriving and we can start arranging the room.

I know a lot of folks want to get the party started, but we've found it to be a lot less stressful to take care of the business end as early as possible.

I also agree that when it comes to the muster drill, if you have a station that is outside, arrive a bit on the late side. If you have a station on the inside, arrive a bit on the early side. You are not holding up the muster drill unless you don't show up.

 

[Weedy]

We cruised on the Magic this past March and they changed how they did the drill a little.
At 3:30 they asked everyone to go to their cabin and watch the video online and then report to their station. We got to the station way early because of the announcement made it sound like we needed to be there.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We got one of our favorite pictures from our muster drill! A selfie my daughter took as we were all lined up according to height! We were hot and in the sun, but just super happy to be on our first cruise. (I’m sure the charm must wear off if you are fortunate enough to go often!). Bring your sunglasses!View attachment 283132

We came prepared with our mustard for the mustard drill.

 

[jk and ek]

Man, I feel spoiled...on all 3 of our cruises our muster drill has taken place inside one of the theaters. No standing up according to height, no sun. On our most recent, we showed up "late" (about 5 minutes before they started checking for individual rooms, so not ACTUALLY late) and we ended up sitting on the edge of the stage rather than in a seat...but it was fine, because at the end they requested everyone standing (including those along the stage) exit first and everyone sitting in a seat to stay and wait until we were clear from the aisle. Best muster ever!

 

[MelSpees]

What I suggest you do is find your muster station after you board. It will be the largest single letter printed on your KTTW card. Scout it out in advance so you know if you will need to bring something to make yourself more comfortable. We typically try to figure out where muster will be right after we visit our stateroom for the first time so we know the path to the muster station from our stateroom. Our routine is to get lunch, visit our stateroom, find our muster station and then go enjoy the ship until muster drill. Sometimes we find luggage will begin arriving and we can start arranging the room.

I know a lot of folks want to get the party started, but we've found it to be a lot less stressful to take care of the business end as early as possible.

I also agree that when it comes to the muster drill, if you have a station that is outside, arrive a bit on the late side. If you have a station on the inside, arrive a bit on the early side. You are not holding up the muster drill unless you don't show up.

Please don't show up on the late side. It makes all those who arrived on time, as they should, stand close together in the heat longer. You are holding up the muster drill when you're late and no-one will like you for it. They cannot start their briefing until everyone is present.

 

[hanscarlet]

I've always had to muster on deck and it's always been so annoying... then we sailed concierge and got to muster in the theatre and it was a fine, no hassle experience.... my oldest daughter is on the spectrum and for our last cruise we checked in early with her and then excused her with my husband back in the room and then I sat their by myself for the muster and I was grateful to have that option because it was about 95 degrees full sun on the deck... we're in 5E this time so the idea of us being in the tube is kind of exciting

 

[DisneyWill]

1 - Get there on time
2 - Have a happy attitude
3 - Take pictures
4 - Wear a hat
5 - Put on sunscreen
6 - Have FUN!! You're on an Cruise!!!

It's going to be HOT!! You're in Florida!!

 

[darnheather]

Book a deck six aft room (Wonder/Magic) and be in Animator's Palate. It's loud and crowded but no touching each other and not outside.

 

[soniam]

On our Celebrity cruise this month, the boat was scheduled to leave late, so the muster was later. We left from dinner, and I still had my cappuccino. I thought I would just sip that while waiting, but someone came and took it away Luckily, I hadn't had to pay extra for it. The wine at dinner helped the time pass, not to mention it was a kidless cruise for us

 

[AngelDisney]

Book a deck six aft room (Wonder/Magic) and be in Animator's Palate. It's loud and crowded but no touching each other and not outside.

This is what I have booked for my next cruise! Yay!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Book a deck six aft room (Wonder/Magic) and be in Animator's Palate. It's loud and crowded but no touching each other and not outside.

Not just deck 6. We had an aft room on deck 2 on the Magic - we were in Animator's, also.

The muster assignments are typically made in a columnar line through all decks.