CJANDH

Over on the Norwegian and Regent boards there is a lot of discussion on the move back to in person muster drills on their cruises. I would be interested in hearing how the emuster on Silverseas has evolved and how well it works to get everyone (Passengers and Crew) trained.

My question to each of the CEOs relates to the decision to either stay with the E muster or return to the mass mustering. Based on my experience on four cruises over the past year, the E muster has evolved to a point where the training of passengers in safety procedures, life vest use and the location of muster stations is far more effective than the mass muster where it is often hard to see the demonstration or hear the presentation over a poor PA system. I recognise that there is also an important need to provide crew training for emergencies that historically has been combined with the mass muster. My question is: Is there a middle ground where passengers can be trained in small groups immediately on boarding the ship and a separate crew training program can be developed? Thank you.

I would say that the majority of posters agree that the e muster, as it has evolved over time, is at least as good a way to train the passengers, if not better. I was suggesting that a better way to train the crew might be worth pursuing.

Amen. Surely the bright minds running the cruise lines can find a way to train the crew without the passengers. The interaction with the passengers in an in-person muster is not a very good simulation of the crowd control issues the crew will face in a real emergency with panicked passengers. Also, why do the crew need to train on this process every week (or less on 3/4 day cruises)?

But that is just what the evolved Emuster does. You go to your muster station; sit with a small group and have a crew member explain the safety drill in a way you can hear it and ask questions. Then you leave and enjoy your cruise with, in my opinion, a much clearer understanding of what will happen in an emergency.

Note that the statement is "including mustering". It does not say that everyone has to muster at the same time. The Emuster rules still ensure that everyone has to go to their muster station; just not all at once. I would suggest that the Emuster meets the requirements of the SOLAS rule.

Royal and Carnival also found ways to avoid the lack of mustering by making sure pax visited their muster stations as soon as they boarded. They also looked for creative ways to incentivize people to comply; like no drinks until mustered. Norwegian took the easy way out and will suffer from the bad customer response.

How was the muster drill?

Only Disney and the NCL Group have switched back to the old style muster. Royal and Carnival brands say they are staying with the E-Muster that is strongly preferred by most cruisers. Sorry to see Regent has regressed.

Just out of interest, how did the muster drill go for you now that they have gone back to the in-person altogether procedure?

And I bet that deciding between two versions of the muster drill on cruise ships is high on their priority list.

Where did you find this globe. I have one I purchased on a Regent ship a few years ago and want another. Current cruises don't seem to carry them any more.

If you read the article you will see that the author did contact Norwegian and was given a "we did it because we did" answer.

Well, at least for now the choice is: book Regent and enjoy a mass muster or book Silversea or Seabourn and E-muster. Time will tell where it all finishes up.

Sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare. I bet they get a lot done. 😄

But I would hope they talk to each other!

Strange compilation of disconnected scenes. We were on Splendor for the Christmas 2022 cruise and it didn't go to several of the ports shown in the movie. It was a Panama Canal cruise with Christmas Day spent in the canal. There was only one stop in the Caribbean on the way to Columbia in George Town in the Caymans. Wonder why they couldn't film the real cruise.

The article linked here gives a very clear statement from each of the major cruise lines and the US Coastguard about the efficacy of the E-muster systems that have evolved over time. Royal and Carnival strongly claim that their E-muster is better training than mass mustering, even if it costs more in staffing costs. Norwegian and Disney are putting cost savings ahead of customer comfort despite E-mustering being endorsed by their competition and the Coastguard. https://thepointsguy.com/news/cruise-ship-muster-drill-changes-reasons/

Not to force anyone back to the intended topic, but the article below is a good review of how the major cruise lines and the coast guard are thinking about muster drills. https://thepointsguy.com/news/cruise-ship-muster-drill-changes-reasons/

The writing may be on the wall. However that shouldn't prevent the cruise lines from lobbying for what could be a better procedure, if they think it is. More likely they have gone back to the old system because it is (a) a better way to drill the crew, and/or (b) a cheaper alternative.

The current system is clearly preferred by cruisers. However, Disney and the whole Norwegian group have opted to go back to the old mass meeting approach. As has been posted on several other boards, the final decision on what is approved rests with, I believe, the Coast Guard who only gave provisional approval to the switch to E-muster. Time will tell if the whole industry is forced to switch back to the old way. Meanwhile be glad you are sailing on brand trying to keep moving forward rather than backward and enjoy the "easy-peasy" muster.

The article below from The Street.com suggests that Celebrity has found the best compromise between the traditional in-person muster drill and the E-Muster introduced to avoid mass gatherings when covid hit. It would be nice to see other line adopting this protocol rather than switching back to traditional mass musters, as Disney and Norwegian have done. https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-has-a-passenger-friendly-solution-to-muster-problem?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO Transcript attached. Celebrity Muster.docx

Interesting article in Street.com suggesting that Celebrity may have modified the muster protocol in a way that solves the problem of lack of attention. See link below: https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-has-a-passenger-friendly-solution-to-muster-problem?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO Or see transcript attached. Celebrity Muster.docx

Interesting article in the Street.com suggesting that Celebrity may have found a better way to muster. https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-has-a-passenger-friendly-solution-to-muster-problem?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO Transcription attached: Celebrity Muster.docx

Still a good idea. Why herd everyone together at the start of a cruise? Whether it is covid, the flu or any other virus, minimizing mass gatherings will help spreading illnesses around the ship. Also, the e-muster was so easy. They just needed to find a way to ensure that everyone executed it. One way would be to deactivate key cards until a pax had visited his/her muster station. No drinks, no reentry to suite.