If you had minutes to evacuate what would you take?

[temple1]

I heard the same woman on NPR talking about leaving the dining room and going to her cabin, changing clothes because she couldn't possibly get into a life boat in evening wear, shoes, etc. Also all the things she packed to take with her. From what she said and what I've read on different boards, the captain failed to make the call to evacuate the ship until it was too late.

 

If it were a real emergency (as they say on the television tests) you would be instructed where to report, etc. I hope that all RCCL captains and every captain in the future will immediately make the call to muster stations and not wait until the ship starts to sink.

 

So, if the alarm sounds - I'll grab what I see and I'm outta there with my husband or whoever I'm traveling with.

 

Sorry, but that is what we are instructed to do on the first day during the muster drill.

[mmgg4422]

Okay everybody take a deep breath. My apologies for committing the cardinal sin of slight exaggeration with regards to the number of threads.

 

I guess the reason it rubs me the wrong way is that it seems at times like this there is an almost alarmist overcompensation in people's responses. I mean, do we really need to start to carry a waterproof backpack? The potential of this happening is so remote that if we're considering that realistic planning, then we should probably all carry bullet proof vests too. After all, we're probably more likely to get shot in port then to have our ship founder.

 

And I apologize for offending people by responding. I didn't realize that only responses that agreed with the thought process and opinion being put forth were allowed.

 

Maybe I took a passive aggressive approach. But hey, this isn't real life, it's the internet!

 

I do think it is no less valid however, to come on here and try and counteract some of this overreaction by questioning the necessity to proverbially beat the dead horse in every way possible.

[cruisemama1]

This situation has forced us to think about these things. I too plan to have a "just in case" ziplock bag to grab that will include passport or copy, credit card, some cash, ID , medication and flashlight) I would grab the warm clothes and shoes, phone and Kindle if I had the time but I wouldn't waste time gathering and looking for things., I would think the amount of things would be limited on the life boats too. I think a small backpack would be a good thing to carry these things in.

 

Kindle? Are you serious?:eek:

[cruisemama1]

For those with iphones; there is a free app called flashlight that works like an actual flashlight; more reason to grab my iphone in an emergency; I like the idea of having everything in a small ziplock bag.

 

People underestimate the importance of having a small flashlight while traveling. Many years ago while traveling in the Far East, I remember at least two times where the electricity went out and wished I had a flashlight

 

Back in the day as a flight attendant, we were required to carry a flashlight....

[temple1]

Kindle? Are you serious?:eek:

 

LOL - It struck me the same way.

 

I do have to agree with mmgg - some folks are going somewhat overboard (no pun intended) with their preparedness plans. I'm afraid faced with a real emergency there is no way my hands would stop shaking long enough for me to enter our pin into the safe if I happen to be in the cabin at the time the emergency whistle is blown.

[bedfordmom]

Kindle? Are you serious?:eek:

 

Actually if your Kindle had Wireless and you could get a connection; you could actually notify your loved ones at home that you are OK; ask them to wire money ASAP; try to arrange flight home; get your credit card numbers off your emails in case you forgot your wallet; write your story for cruise critic and have something to read as you wait hours to go home. I think that's pretty important (assuming it doesn't break when it gets wet; LOL)

[nubeetom]

As many chips from the casino I can hold.

[KeywestK]

As for an emergency and if we had to get off asap, I'd leave everything behind and get husband and kids, that's really the MOST important, other things can be replaced :)

 

You are exactly right. In a true emergency, such as the Concordia, survival instincts kick in and the only thing that comes to mind, I would expect, is survival--your's and your loved ones.

[medfordgirl]

Well, I like this thread. Not to say I am going to have things packed and ready and sitting by the door waiting for an emergency because #1 there may not be time to get back to the cabin and if there was I may be too shaken up to even open the safe as temple1 said BUT THAT BEING SAID...I will keep a plastic baggie and one of the carry sacs next to the safe, just in case and bring that headband flashlight that I gave my DH for christmas and make sure that the sneakers and warm clothes and medications are kept in open areas to easily access them. not to be too obsessively cautious but none the less more cautious than usual.

[reallyitsmema]

I just counted 5 threads remotely related to this topic on page 1. That's out of 41 threads. Relax. The only thing trashing the boards is your angry posts.

He had very similar angry posts with his other ID. I now have both on ignore.

[BecciBoo]

LOL - It struck me the same way.

 

I do have to agree with mmgg - some folks are going somewhat overboard (no pun intended) with their preparedness plans. I'm afraid faced with a real emergency there is no way my hands would stop shaking long enough for me to enter our pin into the safe if I happen to be in the cabin at the time the emergency whistle is blown.

 

Don't worry, if you or MMGG or whatever are ever on a cruise with me and Murphy's law somehow prevails, I'll be happy to share all of the emergency items I will have astutely included in our backpack, which we took the extra 5 minutes to collect. :)

[d4nigirl]

My anti-anxiety medication!

 

YES! I was thinking this and Imodium!

 

I'll probably want the usual things, something warm, passport, definitely sneakers, and maybe credit card/money, phone if time.

[kijjy]

My family. The rest of it is just things, not important at all in the grand scheme of things. Get the ones you love and GO...

[Phillies14]

The Costa tragedy has made me think if in an emergency if it was safe to return to my cabin, what would I grab (other than kids and husband). I would grab lifejacket, warm coat; sensible shoes and then glasses (I wear contacts); my wallet and then iphone (in that order)

 

I also have all my credit card and passport information scanned into an email that I send to myself prior; not sure that would help in that case.

Thats a tough one, I guess as many casino chips as I could fit in my pockets!;)

[Sh1035]

Thats a tough one, I guess as many casino chips as I could fit in my pockets!;)

 

Good idea....also assume drinks are free as well.....I would never get my family to leave.....no were good here.....free.snack mix too??? Come back for us later,no sense in freezing out there. Woman and children first!

[drarill]

Okay everybody take a deep breath. My apologies for committing the cardinal sin of slight exaggeration with regards to the number of threads.

 

I guess the reason it rubs me the wrong way is that it seems at times like this there is an almost alarmist overcompensation in people's responses. I mean, do we really need to start to carry a waterproof backpack? The potential of this happening is so remote that if we're considering that realistic planning, then we should probably all carry bullet proof vests too. After all, we're probably more likely to get shot in port then to have our ship founder.

 

And I apologize for offending people by responding. I didn't realize that only responses that agreed with the thought process and opinion being put forth were allowed.

 

Maybe I took a passive aggressive approach. But hey, this isn't real life, it's the internet!

 

I do think it is no less valid however, to come on here and try and counteract some of this overreaction by questioning the necessity to proverbially beat the dead horse in every way possible.

 

It is really valid to counteract what you call "this overreaction", in a respectful way. Implying that I'm crazy.... is offensive. I'm going to quote you again...

" But if something like this actually makes you think, I suggest you lock your screen doors and start to wear tin foil on your head to keep the aliens from reading your thoughts... "

BTW, you didn't offend me "by responding", you offended me because you implied that I was crazy. Irespect your opinions, even if I don't agree with you. You can disagree with me without calling me names... Do you get it now?? People come to CC to learn about cruising and to share ideas, not to be bullied, or insulted. I don't need to have more than one screen name because I "think" before I write something.

Look.... I just wrote a whole post about disagreeing with you without insulting you.

[drarill]

He had very similar angry posts with his other ID. I now have both on ignore.

:):) "Like"

[mmgg4422]

It is really valid to counteract what you call "this overreaction", in a respectful way. Implying that I'm crazy.... is offensive. I'm going to quote you again...

" But if something like this actually makes you think, I suggest you lock your screen doors and start to wear tin foil on your head to keep the aliens from reading your thoughts... "

BTW, you didn't offend me "by responding", you offended me because you implied that I was crazy. Irespect your opinions, even if I don't agree with you. You can disagree with me without calling me names... Do you get it now?? People come to CC to learn about cruising and to share ideas, not to be bullied, or insulted. I don't need to have more than one screen name because I "think" before I write something.

Look.... I just wrote a whole post about disagreeing with you without insulting you.

 

Forgive me for insulting you. Yes, I used sarcasm. Some people can live with it, others find it in poor taste. I respect that people have differing opinions. But with that respect comes the fact that sometimes, something is said that one finds so alarmist, so absurd when put in perspective, that simply "agreeing to disagree" is inadequate.

 

I am sitting back laughing at some of the things people are now spending time deliberating. Why? Because it's totally asinine.

 

I have done nothing to misrepresent myself in any way. If you can't handle my self-admittedly abrasive brand of commentary, then you can do as others here have implored me to do, and just skip the thread or comment and not respond.

 

But I am calling you on your holier-than-thou pontifications, because you DID insult me by accusing me of fraud and misrepresentation. This is the ONLY account I have, and if you want to continue to suggest otherwise, then you are a hypocrite.

[waterbug123]

There is not one thing on this Earth that I would spend the one second that might make the difference on trying to take with me. There is not one single thing that could not be replaced aside from them...

 

I don't think anyone is saying they would take money, phones etc. because they think they are irreplaceable. Rather, they have heard what some of the Costa pax went through after the evacuation.... hours and days waiting to get on a ferry, waiting to get on a bus, waiting to be given a hotel room, waiting for flight arrangements to be made, waiting for use of a phone to assure loved ones at home that they were alive, etc. Whereas, if one had their passport/credit card/phone in their possession from the get-go, they could probably could have gotten emergency essentials purchased and gotten home much more quickly.

[teddie]

My husband and my children. That's it. Period. The end. Not the Chanel bag, not the jewelry, not the credit cards or money. There is not one thing on this Earth that I would spend the one second that might make the difference on trying to take with me. There is not one single thing that could not be replaced aside from them...

 

My feelings precisely.

 

teddie

[Enryon]

Spouse and life vest. Everything else can be replaced. Her and my life can not. In a real emergency on a ship that is sinking, I can not imagine thinking of anything other than getting people to safety. Stuff can sink and in a year it will not matter. A person goes down and a family will grieve forever. Money, passports, jewels, etc are just useless stuff when it comes down to life or death.

[KarinaGW]

I always carry my android phone (which has clear photos of: our passports, a card with my address, each of us; and a flashlight app), my Seapass, DL & CC in a teeny little purse anyway. I am going to add a really sturdy plastic bag into the mix.

[MaskedTurtle]

My hard-earned C&A pins!:D

 

Seriously though, if I were not in my cabin and had time to get there, I would make it a point to grab my lifejacket, a coat/sweater/jacket, and maybe an extra change of clothes as long as I had a plastic bag to put them in to keep them dry. My reasoning is that if I had to go into the water, when I got out, I would want to change into dry clothes as soon as possible. I would also take my id, money, etc., but those are all things that I would have with me anyway.

[tray]

\

No, your angst is ridiculous. The accident is a valid topic of discussion on any thread on these boards at the moment and out of 31 threads on the RCCL main page, only 5 are in regards to this incident....so what's your beef? Ignore those.:cool:

 

Exactly BecciBoo!!! Agreed!

 

:pJust trying to figure out why certain people on these boards like to sling unnecessary rude remarks about comments on a thread they are trashing. WHY ARE THEY ON THE BOARD READING EVERY SINGLE POST if the thread is so stupid and such a waste of time according to them?

 

BTW: while to some it may seem these current discussions are a waste of time and comical, to me they are full of great innovative ideas and will be very helpful in planning my cruise in March!!

[jebuell]

I wouldn't go back to my cabin, even if it was safe, unless it was the only way to get a life jacket. Nothing in my cabin is worth going back for... and that comes from someone who usually travels with $15,000+ worth of photography gear (it's my job). The gear is insured, credit cards can be remade, my ID can be remade, my passport can be remade, and my birth control can be skipped (we'll name him Shipwreck, and he will always know why he was conceived, haha!).