Muster drills - why did DCL switch back to the old way and other cruise lines haven't?

[sjuncfan]

Sorry, CORRECTION, NCL.

https://www.cruisehive.com/norwegian-cruise-line-confirms-return-of-traditional-muster-drill/92863

 

[bcwife76]

RCL has announced they have no intention of going back to the old way either. So there goes the whole "the coast guard is making them go back" argument. On Disney it basically came down to a lack of guest participating in the e muster. And maybe staffing issues too. Probably the same combination that led NCL to reverse course and go back to in person as well.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I assumed it had to do with what their insurers require

 

[Denise W]

Royal Caribbean also back to the traditional muster drill.

Absolutely not. I was on Anthem last week and we did NOT have the traditional drill.

 

[bcwife76]

Absolutely not. I was on Anthem last week and we did NOT have the traditional drill.

He corrected himself above and said that it was NCL. RCL has no intention of going back to traditional muster drills

 

[Lizgistix]

Because it's funnerer this way.
My muster station on the Wish was A, which was the starboard side of the Walt Disney Theater. During the muster drill, an audio track is played explaining everything. Well, the audio wasn't working in the theater (odd for a new ship) so we didn't hear it until the part of the track that says "this concludes the mandatory muster drill"
Easiest muster drill ever!
Oh, yeah, they scan your key card on the way in to register that you were in attendance.
Also the seats aren't comfortable.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Interesting article this AM on The Points Guy. They allude that it's a staffing issue. See below

https://thepointsguy.com/news/cruis...172be4a4ebe8570d9855e3aea&utm_date=2023-01-28

 

[Sykes]

Also of interest is Royal Caribbean’s statements in this article. They indicated that with their implementation of the muster drill the guest participation rate was higher than with the traditional drill, and retention of important information was also significantly improved: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/...-no-intention-of-moving-back-old-muster-drill

 

[Lizgistix]

I guess it makes sense. Tie up everyone for 30-45 minutes and get it over and done with versus tying up part of the crew all day to stand at the muster stations and hunt down non-complaint guests.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

and retention of important information was also significantly improved:

I'm curious how they measured this.

 

[Kwami]

Also of interest is Royal Caribbean’s statements in this article. They indicated that with their implementation of the muster drill the guest participation rate was higher than with the traditional drill, and retention of important information was also significantly improved: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/...-no-intention-of-moving-back-old-muster-drill

Shouldn't participation always be 100% because the drill is mandatory?

 

[Sykes]

Shouldn't participation always be 100% because the drill is mandatory?

There are plenty of stories on Cruise Critic of people missing or skipping muster drills (intentionally or otherwise) by staying in their stateroom and being missed. While they can be kicked off the ship, they’re usually assigned a makeup drill or just given muster instructions on paper. I’ve certainly been on Disney cruises where a stateroom or two at my muster station has been a no-show.

 

[Chaitali]

I'm curious how they measured this.

The article says through surveys.

Shouldn't participation always be 100% because the drill is mandatory?

There were three state rooms that were no shows on our Wish cruise last week.

 

[Kwami]

The article says through surveys.


There were three state rooms that were no shows on our Wish cruise last week.

I'm sure that the crew tracked them down and made them do a makeup drill, though. They pretty much have to.

 

[pachy25]

Why did Disney switch back to the old way of doing muster drills in person if other cruise lines have not also switched back? Just curious if anyone knows the story behind the switch?

Just got off the NCL Pride of America on January 28, 2023. Full blown muster drill was conducted prior to th boat sailing.