NCL to return to E Muster Drills April 1

[kiford]

I don’t buy for one minute that there’s anybody who TRULY and genuinely prefers this “old” mister drill (despite what they may post publicly on this site). Those that do are predisposed and indoctrinated into the idea that if Disney does it a certain way it must be the “right” way to do it.

Please don't tell me how I TRULY feel and that I must be indoctrinated by Disney if I disagree with you. After spending many years in facility management dealing with health and safety, evacuation and emergency drills (along with a few real emergencies over the years), I TRULY feel that actual physical practice is the best not just for guests/occupants but for those who will be managing the actual emergency. You are entitled to how you feel, as am I. Should Disney decide to change the way in which they do things, obviously I will have to adapt, but I will still prefer an actual physical drill that mimics in as many ways as possible what will happen in a real emergency.

 

[Uncwmark]

I am not sure who Travel Press is, if you have the article I would like to read it.

As far as a financial decision for Disney maybe it could be a little of both safety and financial.

Like I said in the past it is not only a good drill for the passengers but it is also good training for the crew.

Article was linked to above in this thread..

 

[71 Truck]

Article was linked to above in this thread..

I looked for it and did not see it. Maybe it has been removed?
Thanks any way.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Please don't tell me how I TRULY feel and that I must be indoctrinated by Disney if I disagree with you. After spending many years in facility management dealing with health and safety, evacuation and emergency drills (along with a few real emergencies over the years), I TRULY feel that actual physical practice is the best not just for guests/occupants but for those who will be managing the actual emergency. You are entitled to how you feel, as am I. Should Disney decide to change the way in which they do things, obviously I will have to adapt, but I will still prefer an actual physical drill that mimics in as many ways as possible what will happen in a real emergency.

I totally agree with you.

 

[happycamper47]

Please don't tell me how I TRULY feel and that I must be indoctrinated by Disney if I disagree with you. After spending many years in facility management dealing with health and safety, evacuation and emergency drills (along with a few real emergencies over the years), I TRULY feel that actual physical practice is the best not just for guests/occupants but for those who will be managing the actual emergency. You are entitled to how you feel, as am I. Should Disney decide to change the way in which they do things, obviously I will have to adapt, but I will still prefer an actual physical drill that mimics in as many ways as possible what will happen in a real emergency.

I totally agree with you.

X-2 SInce every cruise is different having everyone present for the crew to see, gives them a better idea of how they will need to respond. Number of kids, number of people who will need extra assistance, etc.

 

[John VN]

This is why all they need to do is put it before the health questionnaire on boarding day and you can’t complete the questionnaire without watching the video.

At least one person in the stateroom will have watched the video.

Then don’t allow one person to bring five KTTW cards to the muster station, make everyone turn up.

Problem solved.

On our latest MSC cruise right now and as has been for years, We watched the video + dialed phone number provided = received the OK to go to Muster Station - then each had to show for scanning our Room Photo Key Card to verify and then released to wander and enjoy.

p.s. - what might be more likely during a cruise Muster Station Emergency ?
--DAY Light Muster Emergency (responding the old original way) when cruisers are spread out on ship and must report to their assigned location
OR
--At NIGHT when most everybody is in their cabin and sleeping then must use their ACTUAL ROUTE to their Muster Station E Muster in cabin video then IN PERSON Station reporting

 

[Uncwmark]

On our latest MSC cruise right now and as has been for years, We watched the video + dialed phone number provided = received the OK to go to Muster Station - then each had to show for scanning our Room Photo Key Card to verify and then released to wander and enjoy.

p.s. - what might be more likely during a cruise Muster Station Emergency ?
--DAY Light Muster Emergency (responding the old original way) when cruisers are spread out on ship and must report to their assigned location
OR
--At NIGHT when most everybody is in their cabin and sleeping then must use their ACTUAL ROUTE to their Muster Station E Muster in cabin video then IN PERSON Station reporting

According to some on this thread, the ONLY and BEST way to learn about mustering in the event of an emergency is to do it while standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of folks in the sun and hearing every third word uttered over the ship’s PA… they are unable to accept that there are much better and more efficient ways to accomplish the same goal.

 

[AquaDame]

According to some on this thread, the ONLY and BEST way to learn about mustering in the event of an emergency is to do it while standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of folks in the sun and hearing every third word uttered over the ship’s PA… they are unable to accept that there are much better and more efficient ways to accomplish the same goal.

I think you're blowing what folks are saying out of proportion for effect. I'm not seeing anyone saying its the only way, just that the emuster as it was in its state earlier is insufficient in their opinion, which they're allowed to have without attacks on their character. Please remember to be kinder in your debate if you continue to engage, as rudeness and sarcasm is against the board rules.

 

[Kwami]

According to some on this thread, the ONLY and BEST way to learn about mustering in the event of an emergency is to do it while standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of folks in the sun and hearing every third word uttered over the ship’s PA… they are unable to accept that there are much better and more efficient ways to accomplish the same goal.

You're being absurd here.

Nobody said that standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of folks in the sun and hearing every third word uttered over the ship's PA is the ONLY and BEST way to learn about mustering. In fact, that's a terrible way to learn anything. It's a good thing that Disney doesn't do it that way at all!

And I'll repeat one more time, since you seem to have reading comprehension problems, that I'd be OK with an alternative that actually made sense and accomplished the safety goals that muster drills should accomplish. For instance, requiring everyone to tag in at the muster station. Finding a way to make sure everyone (or at least every adult) watches the video. Ideally, finding a way to make sure that everyone comes to the muster station from their staterooms, too. Requiring a call from the stateroom to be allowed to proceed to the muster station (which is apparently what MSC does) is a good idea.

It's been clear for some time now that you're just trolling and being a jerk. So, I'll write no further replies to your nonsense.

 

[Karin1984]

Wow, five pages of some people still going back and forth about this.

It's simple, this is the way Disney wants to do the muster drill, if you want to cruise with Disney this is the way you are going to have to do it.

Disney unofficially said the reason they went back to the old muster drill was because they saw a lack of sufficient participation on the part of the guest. So as I have said in the past some have ruined it for others.

The four keys that Disney promotes are
1. Safety
2. Courtesy
3. Show
4. Efficiency

To Disney safety number one and if they can't verify that everyone has done the muster drill virtually because maybe some people were cheating, then to error on the side of safety they are going to do the in person muster drill.

Disney does not care what other cruise lines are doing. Disney is in charge of their guest safety and if they think this the best way to do the muster drill than that's what they will do.

And yes at one time many years ago I worked for Disney.

You forgot the 5th key, inclusivity.

My issue with the statements in this thread that Disney is only thinking about guest safety, is it implicates that other cruiselines don't or care less about safety.

Disney guests don't follow orders implicates:
- Disney guests are bigger jerks than guests on other cruiselines
- Disney is like a stricter parent (if you cant play nice, no one can play). Or other cruiselines treat their guests like adults with agency.

Disney cannot verify if guests do virtual musters. That doesn't make Disney look very up to date with technology if other cruiselines seem to be able.

We will never really know why Disney is holding on to it. But we do know is that Disneyland and Disneyworld have a staffing / money issue. Not just in the parks, but also in the hotels. They claimed 'safety' as a reason not to clean your room every day, while other hotels across the world was already back.

Based on what we know about Disney after the pandemic, to me the most logical reason is money. Whether that is not having the CMs available or not having the money to invest in technology. It comes down to money for me.

If you are still walking, while the rest of the world is driving in a car... you are getting left behind.

Like in the discussion about the Magicband, the things is where other cruiselines can get an edge. Disney is falling behind and late to the game. It's the little things that can add up to chose one cruiseline over the other for the cruiser who is not loyal to Disney.

 

[John VN]

p.s. to my post regarding our Muster video viewing in cabin 16002 followed by in person mandatory appearance at the Muster Station --

Now 6:30am as I post after waking up having once again at 3AM walking the 10 decks down to our Muster Station duplicating a night time Muster Emergency while sleeping. IMO, it's most likely like an actual occurrence.

 

[Uncwmark]

You're being absurd here.

Nobody said that standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of folks in the sun and hearing every third word uttered over the ship's PA is the ONLY and BEST way to learn about mustering. In fact, that's a terrible way to learn anything. It's a good thing that Disney doesn't do it that way at all!

And I'll repeat one more time, since you seem to have reading comprehension problems, that I'd be OK with an alternative that actually made sense and accomplished the safety goals that muster drills should accomplish. For instance, requiring everyone to tag in at the muster station. Finding a way to make sure everyone (or at least every adult) watches the video. Ideally, finding a way to make sure that everyone comes to the muster station from their staterooms, too. Requiring a call from the stateroom to be allowed to proceed to the muster station (which is apparently what MSC does) is a good idea.

It's been clear for some time now that you're just trolling and being a jerk. So, I'll write no further replies to your nonsense.

Then we agree — there’s a better way to accomplish muster compliance — and that’s via a virtual option (which, coincidentally, is how all other cruise lines have elected to handle it).

RCCL requires all passengers 18 and over watch video on app within 24 hours of check in and then requires each key card be scanned, physically, at muster station.

My point from the beginning here is that there is a much better/easier/more efficient way to handle muster drills — one that every other major cruise line has adopted — so, get with the program, Disney!

 

[Uncwmark]

You forgot the 5th key, inclusivity.

My issue with the statements in this thread that Disney is only thinking about guest safety, is it implicates that other cruiselines don't or care less about safety.

Disney guests don't follow orders implicates:
- Disney guests are bigger jerks than guests on other cruiselines
- Disney is like a stricter parent (if you cant play nice, no one can play). Or other cruiselines treat their guests like adults with agency.

Disney cannot verify if guests do virtual musters. That doesn't make Disney look very up to date with technology if other cruiselines seem to be able.

We will never really know why Disney is holding on to it. But we do know is that Disneyland and Disneyworld have a staffing / money issue. Not just in the parks, but also in the hotels. They claimed 'safety' as a reason not to clean your room every day, while other hotels across the world was already back.

Based on what we know about Disney after the pandemic, to me the most logical reason is money. Whether that is not having the CMs available or not having the money to invest in technology. It comes down to money for me.

If you are still walking, while the rest of the world is driving in a car... you are getting left behind.

Like in the discussion about the Magicband, the things is where other cruiselines can get an edge. Disney is falling behind and late to the game. It's the little things that can add up to chose one cruiseline over the other for the cruiser who is not loyal to Disney.

If I could “like” this post more I would. You just articulated way better than I have what, I think, is truly behind DCL’s move back to in-person muster and why they haven’t switched back (as NCL has)… $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. The mouse is more concerned about shareholders than passengers/guests.

 

[happycamper47]

Disney cannot verify if guests do virtual musters. That doesn't make Disney look very up to date with technology if other cruiselines seem to be able.

I don't think that is accurate since they know what you do on the app and probably on your TV, the app also let them know when you took the picture of the assembly point. There was also a CM checking you in at the muster station.

 

[71 Truck]

You forgot the 5th key, inclusivity.

My issue with the statements in this thread that Disney is only thinking about guest safety, is it implicates that other cruiselines don't or care less about safety.

Disney guests don't follow orders implicates:
- Disney guests are bigger jerks than guests on other cruiselines
- Disney is like a stricter parent (if you cant play nice, no one can play). Or other cruiselines treat their guests like adults with agency.

Disney cannot verify if guests do virtual musters. That doesn't make Disney look very up to date with technology if other cruiselines seem to be able.

We will never really know why Disney is holding on to it. But we do know is that Disneyland and Disneyworld have a staffing / money issue. Not just in the parks, but also in the hotels. They claimed 'safety' as a reason not to clean your room every day, while other hotels across the world was already back.

Based on what we know about Disney after the pandemic, to me the most logical reason is money. Whether that is not having the CMs available or not having the money to invest in technology. It comes down to money for me.

If you are still walking, while the rest of the world is driving in a car... you are getting left behind.

Like in the discussion about the Magicband, the things is where other cruiselines can get an edge. Disney is falling behind and late to the game. It's the little things that can add up to chose one cruiseline over the other for the cruiser who is not loyal to Disney.

When I worked for Disney years ago they did not have the Fifth Key so thank you for posting this.

As far as your post I do not disagree with what you have said.

In the end it really does not matter what we think or say the only thing that matters is Disney is doing the old style muster drill for what ever reason. If people want to sail with Disney they have to do what Disney is telling people to do.

If some people, and I think it may be a small amount of people are not happy with the old drill and they think other cruise lines are moving ahead faster than Disney then people should try other cruise lines.

My wife and I have been on thirteen, seven day Disney cruises over the years we have decide to start to try other cruise lines not because of the muster drill situation but because we want to try some thing different. We have sailed NCL and Princess once each and had a good time so maybe it is time to try something different.
We are finding the cost more than everything else to be the main reason.

 

[Sykes]

For instance, requiring everyone to tag in at the muster station. Finding a way to make sure everyone (or at least every adult) watches the video. Ideally, finding a way to make sure that everyone comes to the muster station from their staterooms, too. Requiring a call from the stateroom to be allowed to proceed to the muster station (which is apparently what MSC does) is a good idea.

That's not unreasonable, but it sets a higher standard for virtual muster than exists for the old-style drills and I'm not sure why. For the old in-person drills, a) on all of my sailings I never once went from my stateroom to my muster station for the drill, but rather from a bar or a pool deck (but I did do the walk independently on my own to ensure I knew the way), and b) I've never seen more than 10% of people pay attention to the safety briefing (very rarely can I even understand what they're saying). The in-person muster doesn't solve for any of the problems you described (except, maybe, compliance rate, although RCCL says otherwise for their guests probably due to their superior technology solution). Can we have the more convenient option if it provides an equivalent level of safety rather than just improved safety?

In the end it really does not matter what we think or say the only thing that matters is Disney is doing the old style muster drill for what ever reason. If people want to sail with Disney they have to do what Disney is telling people to do.

Obviously that is the case and doesn't really need to be emphasized too terribly much. The discussion here is criticism or support of Disney's decision to do so. No one is saying that they're going to try to sail Disney and not do the theoretically required muster drill (although people routinely manage to skip the mandatory drill even with the old style drills).

In my opinion, it all comes down to Disney choosing to choosing the cheaper and easier option at the expense of guest experience. There are many possible explanations--Disney doesn't want to invest in the infrastructure to track compliance better, or they don't want to staff muster stations the entirety of embarkation day, or something else. They're able to do it under the façade of safety because people eat that up.

 

[Kwami]

That's not unreasonable, but it sets a higher standard for virtual muster than exists for the old-style drills and I'm not sure why. For the old in-person drills, a) on all of my sailings I never once went from my stateroom to my muster station for the drill, but rather from a bar or a pool deck (but I did do the walk independently on my own to ensure I knew the way), and b) I've never seen more than 10% of people pay attention to the safety briefing (very rarely can I even understand what they're saying). The in-person muster doesn't solve for any of the problems you described (except, maybe, compliance rate, although RCCL says otherwise for their guests probably due to their superior technology solution). Can we have the more convenient option if it provides an equivalent level of safety rather than just improved safety?

I'd rather that Disney focuses on improving safety than convenience. If the in-person drills aren't working, then Disney should fix them or replace them with something better. Replacing them with an equally-useless virtual drill doesn't solve the problem.

 

[Uncwmark]

You say: “Improving safety”

Disney hears: “save $$$”

 

[happycamper47]

You say: “Improving safety”

Disney hears: “save $$$”

How do you think in person is cheaper than e muster? DCL already had the e muster technology in place on the app and the TV. The app would send a message saying you still need to watch the video and that is probably how it was determined too many were ignoring it.

 

[tvguy]

You say: “Improving safety”

Disney hears: “save $$$”

Not even sure how it would be possible to calculate the cost of either. The staff are already on the ship, so I would think the cost would be zero.