Muster Drill

[ACJT]

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

 

[Capt_BJ]

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

Yes, everything shuts down .... the drill is a USCG and "international" requirement.

Remember that an important part of the drill is to verify the list of folks on board and your boat's list.

 

[ACJT]

How long does it take?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How long does it take?

Depending on how well people follow directions, 45 minutes to an hour. Could be as short as 30 minutes if people would be ready and be quiet.

 

[ACJT]

What are passengers doing that time ? Just standing on the deck by a life boat wearing a life jacket?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What are passengers doing that time ? Just standing on the deck by a life boat wearing a life jacket?

Most will be on deck standing facing their particular life boat (not wearing lifejackets), while CMs show how to put on lifejackets and explain the process for emergencies.

Some people have their muster locations indoors. Again, with CMs explaining everything.

 

[castmbr]

Just off Dream - I really don't think it took more than 30 minutes. I was going to say 15 minutes once everyone was present.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just off Dream - I really don't think it took more than 30 minutes. I was going to say 15 minutes once everyone was present.

Yeah, that's pretty much the biggest problem. Waiting until everyone shows up.

And, once there, if they quiet down. On one of our other cruises (not DCL) the captain came on the intercom system and yelled at everyone because people were just standing around talking and laughing and not paying attention to the drill.

That one took a long time.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Off the Magic a week ago. You don't have to wear your lifejackets. Everyone stands there and there was a CM with a clipboard that came around and checked each person present off their list. I think it took about 30 minutes. They show you how to put on your jackets and that's really it.

 

[houseofduck]

Our last time on the Dream, we went to our rooms and waited for the alert to go to our muster station. As soon as we heard it, we went to the theater. But, it seemed like we were one of the last people to arrive. Do people just go earlier?

 

[SnipsNSnails]

We headed up before the alarm sounded and we weren't the first ones there, there were already quite a few people. They had our kids cover their ears for the alarm because it's loud. I'd say at least half our station was there before the alarm sounded.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our last time on the Dream, we went to our rooms and waited for the alert to go to our muster station. As soon as we heard it, we went to the theater. But, it seemed like we were one of the last people to arrive. Do people just go earlier?

We do. But it's OK to be waiting at your room for it to begin.

 

[Gilbertgirls]

We headed up before the alarm sounded and we weren't the first ones there, there were already quite a few people. They had our kids cover their ears for the alarm because it's loud. I'd say at least half our station was there before the alarm sounded.

We have a little one who has a wheelchair do we leave it behind or okay to take it with us

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have a little one who has a wheelchair do we leave it behind or okay to take it with us

Take it with you. Those in wheelchairs get dismissed first. And the crew for your lifeboat like to actually see those who may need special assistance that are assigned to them.

 

[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...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?