Wheelchair and Muster Drill Question

[TJM001]

Next month my family will take our first RCI cruise and this will be my first using a wheelchair to get around. I'm curious to know how RCI handles muster drill for those passengers with mobility issues. If you have experienced this, I would like to know how it's done.

[muskrat897]

Next month my family will take our first RCI cruise and this will be my first using a wheelchair to get around. I'm curious to know how RCI handles muster drill for those passengers with mobility issues. If you have experienced this, I would like to know how it's done.

 

RCL will let you take the elevator to the muster location. They also release you from muster early to avoid the crowd at the elevators after the drill. Is elevator use realistic during an actual emergency? I doubt it.

[Hypo]

In the event of an emergency, and you are unable to walk, notify your cabin steward and Guest Services, they will assign personnel to literally carry you to a lifeboat. (My DW has to use a chair, and that is what we have been told, hope we never have the occasion to find out if it is a workable solution)

[MaskedTurtle]

My mom has trouble walking, and even though she doesn't need the use of a wheelchair, she can't do the stairs. So, during the Muster Drill she is allowed to use the elevator. We have cruised every January since 2008 and she has used the elevator each time. There was only one instance in which a crew member actually scolded her and told her that in a real emergency she wouldn't be able to use the elevator, but other than that, there haven't been any problems.

[Sequim88]

Muster has gotten to be so loose it is very unrealistic for wheelchairs. On our first cruise on HAL when we got to the elevator/stairs lobby three crew there took my wife, in her chair, down the stairs to the proper deck and escorted her out to lifeboat area. Next cruise (RCI) we were on our own and allowed to use elevator to get to theater (with lifejacket). Last cruise we just showed up at appointed time in Schooner Bar area (without lifejacket) and listened to short list of instructions then left. I wonder if this will revert to a little more of a real drill post-Concordia.

 

I do have a suspicion that there is a procedure for crew to be aware of persons in accessible cabins that may need assistance and most of these cabins (if not all) are near stairs. Not all emergencies affect elevators so they may well be able to be used - with crew assistance. If not in accessible cabin it would be good to make sure cabin steward knows of any limitations.

[Cru1s1ng2009]

during the muster you and your family can ask to sit just inside of the muster station if you have mobility problems or heat problems. You will speak with the head of your muster station so they know they have someone who can not get up and will need to be carried.

 

and they do release you before everyone else because of the packed elevators which is awesome. they also know what cabin you are in so they can come get you in the event of a real emergency.

[CaptData]

Hi I use a scooter. The first thing I do when I board, I go to Guest Services and tell them my cabin # and that I will need help in an emergency. They put me on the list. Then I go to the drill using the elevator. After the drill I look for where my lifeboat is so that I can get to it if required. I make sure I know the @ of the boat. Then I go and have fun.

[TJM001]

Thanks to all of you who responded. You've been very helpful.

 

:):)

[BillOh]

RCL will let you take the elevator to the muster location. They also release you from muster early to avoid the crowd at the elevators after the drill. Is elevator use realistic during an actual emergency? I doubt it.

 

 

I can only confirm what I have seen, but your point is valid, but before and after Muster, they speak with the disabled person to discuss how things would be handled in an emergency. The many people you see standing in lobbies and directing people to their stations are the ones that have the list of people in chairs and it is their responsibility to help those people out. I believe, from what I oveheard in an actual emergency people are assigned to carry occupied chairs down stairs.

[Jimnbigd]

My wife has Multiple Sclerosis and uses a wheelchair. We just go to the muster drill at least 5 minutes early, and often wait until the crowd thins out after it is over. We are not always dismissed early. On some ships we have remained in an inside muster station while the walking passengers went to the lifeboat area. On other ships the muster station is actually outside by the lifeboats. (Bring a jacket in cold weather just in case.) You no longer have to wear the life jackets or even bring them, at least not as of this writing. You'll hear announcements like "In 15 minutes there will be a mandatory safety drill." That's a good time to go to your muster station.

[Marie51]

I have an autistic grandchild and I have inquired about special services for her. I have been told we can have a private muster drill in the cabin or in a small room by ourselves as long as we arrange it ahead of time. Although not in a wheelchair, she gets extremely anxious under certain conditions. I don't know if they would do the same for other special needs passengers.

[Mama24]

I can only confirm what I have seen, but your point is valid, but before and after Muster, they speak with the disabled person to discuss how things would be handled in an emergency. The many people you see standing in lobbies and directing people to their stations are the ones that have the list of people in chairs and it is their responsibility to help those people out. I believe, from what I oveheard in an actual emergency people are assigned to carry occupied chairs down stairs.

 

Hmmm. This is news to me. I was on FOS in December and the extent of the muster drill was, I was allowed to use the elevators to get to the muster drill location and I was allowed to leave a few minutes early to avoid the rush to the elevators.

 

This thread has more useful information than I ever received onboard.