Problems with stairs, what about muster drill?

[sandravb79]

As a result of an accident earlier this year, I should not go up/ down stairs. How would this work with muster drill?

 

If the ship were really sinking, you can bet I *will* do those stairs :cool: but I don't feel like being in pain for weeks/ months because of an exercise. Also, when I really have to do them (where I live, not everything is handicappped-proof, so there is not always an alternative), I have to drag my self doing it "step by step", so it takes a while, and when I have to do it in public, I am scared to death other people who are more in a hurry will push me, I will fall and would be back to "start" (regarding the knee injury)

 

So, have any of you experience about what happens to you during muster drill when you are not supposed to do stairs?

[Michuck]

The solution is to go to your muster station before they call the drill....before they close off the elevators. We get either to our station or the deck where our station is early with a foo foo drink in hand, just to avoid the 'crunch' of everyone heading to the drill at the same time. Now that I understand you no longer have to take your lifejacket with you, it makes it all that much simpler.....

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

[celle]

As a result of an accident earlier this year, I should not go up/ down stairs. How would this work with muster drill?

 

If the ship were really sinking, you can bet I *will* do those stairs :cool: but I don't feel like being in pain for weeks/ months because of an exercise. Also, when I really have to do them (where I live, not everything is handicappped-proof, so there is not always an alternative), I have to drag my self doing it "step by step", so it takes a while, and when I have to do it in public, I am scared to death other people who are more in a hurry will push me, I will fall and would be back to "start" (regarding the knee injury)

 

So, have any of you experience about what happens to you during muster drill when you are not supposed to do stairs?

 

Go early to the deck of your muster station (take your life jacket and put it on when the call to lifeboat drill sounds).

 

Stay behind after the muster drill. Wait for the crowds to disperse.

 

That way, you can use the elevators both before and after the muster drill. It takes a little longer, but it is better than trying to negotiate the stairs along with crowds of other passengers.

[alphakitty]

Talk to your room steward or someone at the Pursur's desk. They do make special arrangements for physically challenged passengers to use the elevators during muster drill.

[temple1]

As Alphakitty mentioned - check with your cabin steward about arrangements, or because you are no longer required to wear the life vests for the muster drill, just be on the same level of your muster station before the elevators are turned off. Then go outside with the rest when the signal is given.

[sandravb79]

Thank you for the replies.

 

On our first cruise, I was there with a broken ankle (cast + crutches). Yup, I had to do the stairs, going to the casino, then from there the stairs going on deck. It was a bit scary to say the least :eek:

(other passengers were complaining I wasn't going fast enough. right... I'll just hop on the stairs like a bunny on steroids! ;) )

 

Now that there is "nothing" there (no cast, no crutches), I was wondering what would happen :)

 

How do you know on which deck you have to be?

On both cruises, we first had to be in the casino, and from there, they called groups to go on deck. Will the room steward tell me on which deck I'll have to be?

 

Sorry for all the questions.

[BMT]

Map of your exit routes on the back of your cabin door and also the location of the muster station.

[temple1]

If I recall - it is posted in your room where your muster station is located. Double check with you cabin steward.

 

I experienced a vacation in a cast and wheelchair so I know what you mean about the impatience of some people.

[BillB48]

In your cabin will be the info on where your muster station and what number boat you are assigned to. As others have mentioned just inform your steward, purser's office or even a member of the crew who is directing passengers to the drill as to your problem.

[sandravb79]

Thanks again for the answers!

 

In 2007, I fell off the stairs 2 weeks before the vacation. I was young and naive and stupid enough to think I could manage going to the Bahamas and Walt Disney World. Yeah, right, now I know it's a real challenge, one that I won't take anymore if I can help it.

This year, I fell on the last full day of our vacation, with a completely "destroyed" knee as a result. Just getting back home was already bad enough. It's a good thing in the meanwhile I can walk again, otherwise I wouldn't go on vacation.

Until now, the scariest moments I lived through were being in the middle of a crowd when I wasn't very stable on my legs (crutches). Even scarier was being in a wheel chair! It seems as if no one even notices you are there.

 

TG in my case, it was only temporary.

[kldt]

I was on the Navigator in March with a broken foot. I had a walking boot/cast and when it was time for the muster drill, I walked to the crew "guarding" the elevators and told them I couldn't do the stairs. They let me right on with no problem.

[Desert Cruizers]

AS mentioned check the back of your door for your Muster Station location, also if your room is on the Port or Starboard, you Muster Station will be accordingly. if your new to that ship, early afternoon, go and check out where your station is.

[PH8]

I was on the Navigator in March with a broken foot. I had a walking boot/cast and when it was time for the muster drill, I walked to the crew "guarding" the elevators and told them I couldn't do the stairs. They let me right on with no problem.

We had it a bit differently on the NV this past December............my inlaws cruised with us.......my MIL has heart problems and really cant walk very far without difficulty.They had a cabin on deck 10...........the elevators were shut off............the crew told her she HAD to walk down to muster drill(and this was with the life jacket on)even after they told them she couldnt do it........

 

now,they werent as experienced in cruising as we were(and we had different staterooms and muster stations so we werent with them--if we were,things might be different).........

 

So she walked down those stairs and I swear had a panic attack........she never recouped from it the whole cruise......on the 4th day,she wound up in the ship hospital being tested for a heart attack..........

 

that wound up costing several thousands of dollars........they did have insurance but it took a while to recoup it(not even sure she got it back yet).......

 

I will never forget the look of panic in her face in that hospital...........to these day, she does not ever want to go back on a cruise(and before that,we had gotten them to take 5 of them in the past few years)

[scgirlatheart]

We were on the Grandeur earlier this month, and my husband who is mobility impaired was allowed to use the elevator. They also allowed disabled persons to wait inside the casino during the drill instead of standing outside. And none of the passengers had to bring life jackets which made moving around easier.

[jcl410]

If you are mobility imparied, let the cruise line know before you get onboard, if possible. The crew needs to know who will need assistance in the case of a real emergency. This isn't just for wheelchair bound folks, but any one who cannot use the stairs.

 

Aloha,

 

John

[A2Mich]

If you are mobility imparied, let the cruise line know before you get onboard, if possible. The crew needs to know who will need assistance in the case of a real emergency. This isn't just for wheelchair bound folks, but any one who cannot use the stairs.

 

Aloha,

 

John

 

BTW, not that this instance applies to me (at least not for a few years), but WHAT IS the cruiselines' policy for assisting disabled/limited mobility pax in case of a real emergency? Anyone know?

[seeship]

Just got off the Mariner and we were not required to bring/wear life jackets at Muster drill.

[craftin2cruise]

As a result of an accident earlier this year, I should not go up/ down stairs. How would this work with muster drill?

 

If the ship were really sinking, you can bet I *will* do those stairs :cool: but I don't feel like being in pain for weeks/ months because of an exercise. Also, when I really have to do them (where I live, not everything is handicappped-proof, so there is not always an alternative), I have to drag my self doing it "step by step", so it takes a while, and when I have to do it in public, I am scared to death other people who are more in a hurry will push me, I will fall and would be back to "start" (regarding the knee injury)

 

So, have any of you experience about what happens to you during muster drill when you are not supposed to do stairs?

 

 

I was on the Monarch a few weeks ago and worried about standing in lines and the muster drill also. I had knee surgery a few months ago and still using a cane.

After all my worrying I was so pleased from the minute I walk into the terminal at Port Canaveral. I didn't have to say a word to anyone but as soon as any employee saw my cane I was directed to a chair to sit. Coming out of our room for Muster a nice young man stationed at the elevator directed me to use one. Our drill was in one of the lounge and as soon as we walked in we were directed to sit right down and when it was over we left first. This was my first time on RC and I was just so impressed how everyone was so nice and helpful and really didn't make me feel bad about being so slow

[ehfl]

I would simply go early, and wait at the muster station. That way, you can take the elevator at your leisure, and avoid any crowded stairways. It just seems the solution that makes sense if I were in that situation.

[megr1125]

BTW, not that this instance applies to me (at least not for a few years), but WHAT IS the cruiselines' policy for assisting disabled/limited mobility pax in case of a real emergency? Anyone know?

 

thankfully, no first hand abandon ship experience..BUT we have been told on 2 lines, on several cruises that crew will be on hand to carry WC bound pax down the stairs if necessary....again, haven't had to find this out!

 

since mom uses a wheelchair (and before when she just had her cane) we head down early before they stop the elevators...no way she is walking down 6-8 flights of steps just for drill.....(now she can't as her hip joint has basically disintegrated.)

[uppitycats]

BTW, not that this instance applies to me (at least not for a few years), but WHAT IS the cruiselines' policy for assisting disabled/limited mobility pax in case of a real emergency? Anyone know?

 

Yes. If you register (I do -- I use a wheelchair for mobility) crew members are assigned to your cabin (they generally come and introduce themselves) and if there should be a "real" emergency, would come and assist in whatever way necessary .. carrying or dragging you to safety, presumably.

 

That is, of course, if you're in your cabin.

 

I hope I never have to find out what actually would happen.

[temple1]

Yes. If you register (I do -- I use a wheelchair for mobility) crew members are assigned to your cabin (they generally come and introduce themselves) and if there should be a "real" emergency, would come and assist in whatever way necessary .. carrying or dragging you to safety, presumably.

 

That is, of course, if you're in your cabin.

 

I hope I never have to find out what actually would happen.

 

I'm sure that is a safety concern to get everyone out of the cabins. If you are out and about the ship the crew will see the wheelchair, crutches, cane etc and assist you.

[temple1]

We had it a bit differently on the NV this past December............my inlaws cruised with us.......my MIL has heart problems and really cant walk very far without difficulty.They had a cabin on deck 10...........the elevators were shut off............the crew told her she HAD to walk down to muster drill(and this was with the life jacket on)even after they told them she couldnt do it........

 

now,they werent as experienced in cruising as we were(and we had different staterooms and muster stations so we werent with them--if we were,things might be different).........

 

So she walked down those stairs and I swear had a panic attack........she never recouped from it the whole cruise......on the 4th day,she wound up in the ship hospital being tested for a heart attack..........

 

that wound up costing several thousands of dollars........they did have insurance but it took a while to recoup it(not even sure she got it back yet).......

 

I will never forget the look of panic in her face in that hospital...........to these day, she does not ever want to go back on a cruise(and before that,we had gotten them to take 5 of them in the past few years)

 

I'm so sorry about your MIL. I wonder if their hard nosed approach was because too many able bodied types insist they must take the elevator because they stubbed their big toe last week?

 

Like others on here, I've never experienced this on a cruise ship - but if you register a disability - if it is noted on your SeaPass?

[luv-2-cruise]

Talk to your TA or call RCCL directly. There is a special needs form that you should fill out and send back to them. I have mobility problems myself from knee surgeries and cannot go up/down stairs easily or stand for long periods of time. On our May cruise (ExOS), I went right to the Guest Services desk and asked about the muster drill. We were told to let the cruise staff know during the muster drill. We were able to use the elevator to go down to our muster station. DH was instructed to go and "sign in" at our muster station and I was seated in the lounge outside the muster station. Once DH signed in, he was able to return to me. Shortly before the drill is over, we were able to get right on the elevators and return to our cabins.