Cruise critic posts cited on msnbc

[KatetheWanderer]

In an article comparing various lines' safety briefings, MSNBC turned today to Cruise Critic to report that-

 

"Readers of 'Cruise Critic' frequently remarked on the publication’s blog that certain cruise lines, like Norwegian and Princess, are considered to be quite serious about their safety briefings, Brown said. Since the recent Costa Concordia tragedy, readers have indicated that its safety drills were lax and sloppy, Brown said. Other cruise lines, she said, “go above and beyond,” like Royal Caribbean."

 

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/19/10192644-most-cruise-ships-put-emphasis-on-safety

 

 

Hmmm. I've never sailed Princess but my fairly recent experience with safety briefings on Costa, Norwegian and RCCL indicate that they are all quite similar.

[Traveller20074]

I was wondering when news crews would catch on and maybe come here for accounts about what happened, and also what you just posted.

 

I think you can be serious about it, and do the drills but in "real time" situations, does each crew member really KNOW for sure WHAT they will be doing? Which ones do which lifeboats? would be one thing I would wonder.

How coordinated IS the training?

[Trish12345]

I have attended many muster drills, all before the ship sailed. I have only sailed out of the US or US territories. All drills were conducted in a serious, professional manner. No talking, no drinking. When the ship picked up passengers in 2 ports I did see the newcomers in a theater in what was announced as their muster drill. I have seen the life boats lowered twice while we were docked in US territories for a crew drill. I think a few top people who did not carry out their responsibilities to the crew and to the passengers are giving the entire industry a black eye. However deplorable their actions were, I believe cruising is safe.

[mcrcruiser]

I have attended many muster drills, all before the ship sailed. I have only sailed out of the US or US territories. All drills were conducted in a serious, professional manner. No talking, no drinking. When the ship picked up passengers in 2 ports I did see the newcomers in a theater in what was announced as their muster drill. I have seen the life boats lowered twice while we were docked in US territories for a crew drill. I think a few top people who did not carry out their responsibilities to the crew and to the passengers are giving the entire industry a black eye. However deplorable their actions were, I believe cruising is safe.

 

We have also attended many muster drills. Recently ,some of the muster drills have been some what lax on ships we sailed :o.There was a case where I felt obligated to call the executive offices to explain a not good situation of people not being able to see the cruise personnel explain the drill & puting on the life vest.

 

We would like to see the muster drills upgraded & perhaps other passenger safety standards put into place by skilled professionals;).

[AussieKathy]

I think everyone will take safety drills alot more serious now after this disaster!

[Krazy Kruizers]

HAL used to take their muster drills very seriously.

 

But on our recent Noordam cruises -- it was terrible. No Roll Call taken. People talking and sipping their cocktails. You could not hear the information that the captain was giving. Some people never bothered to attend -- some were in the lounges enjoying their cocktail -- some were by the pool. There was a time when the cabin stewards checked the cabins to make certain that you were not there. We watched one man start to open a lounge chair to sit down while the drill went on -- but he was told to fold it back up. On HAL we do report to the life boat we are assigned for the drill.

[scooterpopsnana]

I am a cancer patient, who thanks to meds, has had a significent weight gain and very brittle bones. Although I can walk some, the doctor prefers me not to do so because of the risk on bones breaking. Therefore, I am in a W/C. I have always been told that in the event of an " abandon ship order" I would be assisted to the lifeboats. But, never, in 6 drills has anyone come me and said "I am assigned to assist you". Because of my weight, I have a fear of being dropped. If this were to occur, I would definitely have broken bones. I would like to see W/C ramps on each ship so those of us in W/Cs can have more freedom to get around the ship on our own.

[Aplmac]

HAL used to take their muster drills very seriously.

 

But on our recent Noordam cruises -- it was terrible. No Roll Call taken.

People talking and sipping their cocktails. You could not hear the information that the captain was giving.

Some people never bothered to attend -- some were in the lounges enjoying their cocktail -- some were by the pool.

 

There was a time when the cabin stewards checked the cabins to make certain that you were not there.

===> Still do on Carnival: little red cards are inserted in the door lock to certify a vacant cabin!

A lot of this slack stuff is going to change, if it hasn't already in the past week!

 

 

I have already suggested no sale of alcohol on board until after Muster Drill.

Not going to be popular, despite being necessary to get the drinkers to pay attention to slightly more important things? :cool:

.

[ducklite]

A lot of this slack stuff is going to change, if it hasn't already in the past week!

 

 

I have already suggested no sale of alcohol on board until after Muster Drill.

Not going to be popular, despite being necessary to get the drinkers to pay attention to slightly more important things? :cool:

.

 

On both of my DCL cruises, the instructions were very clear. No drinks (if you brought a bottle of water they seemed OK with that), pay attention, all names were checked off for each muster station and you weren't released until everyone who was supposed to be at that station showed up.

 

They explained all the procedures including how and when to put on a life jacket. They reassured that families would not be split up.

 

They close all the shops, bars, restaurants, pools, activities, the ship closes down so you have two choices, be at muster or be in your cabin and be escorted to muster by an officer when they realize you aren't there.

 

Perhaps because of the number of families with younger children on board, but people seem to pay attention and take it very seriously.

 

My RCCL cruise was similar but slightly more lax in making sure everyone paid attention.

 

I don't like "No alcohol until after muster" because we are generally offered Champagne right after boarding, and that's a touch I wouldn't want to miss. It's unfortunate that the people who insist on getting bombed on rum foo-foo drinks as soon as they get on board might ruin that though.

[Trish12345]

A lot of good suggestions here. I would like to go back to taking my life jacket to the Muster Drill. I think I will send John Herald a note, repetition in safety is never a bad thing.

 

scooterpopsnana - I know your concern as we took my Mother a few years back in her frail health & we sail with a friend who is a paraplegic. There would not have NO way he could have went down that long rope ladder on the side of the Concordia to a lifeboat. I thing most all people will be taking a closer look at the exits on their next cruise.