Muster stations

[cruiser87654321]

Poet, thanks for bringing this issue to us. I see that you are cruising on the Silhouette next month. We had connecting rooms on the Silhouette and were assigned the same muster station. Hope you have a great time, the Silhouette is a beautiful ship and you will enjoy an amazing itinerary.

 

Thanks, we are only 3 on this trip so we are all in the one cabin so the issue won't arise for us.

 

I just wanted to bring it up so that others could be aware of it. I am sure it is not RCI specific, but the fire on board the Grandeur brought it back to me. Hope it helps someone.

[cruis247g]

We frequently have a multi-generational group cruising, ranging in age from tweens to 80s. Our children are often in an adjoining cabin. Thus far everyone has had the same muster station. We would greatly appreciate having muster station available information before booking as it would affect our choice.

 

We do not currently have adjoining cabins booked on RCCL, so I have not contacted them (i'm guessing that they are busy enough and didn't want to bother them with a hypothetical question), however, I did call another line with whom we have a cruise booked and they were not able to give me the info about muster stations.

 

 

It would be great if this field could be added to the booking info so that people could make informed decisions. Those who are comfortable being in different muster stations could book without regard to this, while those who would prefer to be together could book accordingly.

[setsail]

True! I can't believe this issue have never been addressed in CC. .

 

That's because you did not use the search feature before posting. Put" muster stations" in search and there are pages of info dating back years, and yes it has been discussed, over and over and over:rolleyes:

[sidari]

it has been some time since we cruised with other lines but on our last cruise on the MSC Poesia the Muster drill was held in various locations just like the others did, ours was in the Theatre where everyone was asked to put on their lifejackets at the end of the talk. When everyone had them on we were taken to our lifeboat station on the outer deck so that people knew exactly where they should go to.

 

The issue of family being at different locations is indeed a valid one,the fact that there is now only the two of us on a cruise still means we arrange at least two possible suitable places to meet on the outside boat deck should we be at different locations if something went wrong.

[cruiser87654321]

That's because you did not use the search feature before posting. Put" muster stations" in search and there are pages of info dating back years, and yes it has been discussed, over and over and over:rolleyes:

 

There are quite a lot of posts on Muster Stations but scanning the thread titles I can't see specific references to the point we are discussing.

 

Does your use of the sarcastic smiley imply you don't think it is a discussion worthy of having, even if it has been had before?

[NJcruisenewbie]

Thanks, we are only 3 on this trip so we are all in the one cabin so the issue won't arise for us.

 

I just wanted to bring it up so that others could be aware of it. I am sure it is not RCI specific, but the fire on board the Grandeur brought it back to me. Hope it helps someone.

 

It's fine to bring something like this up so people are aware. It isn't ok to expect the cruise ship to change safety procedures or for passengers to disregard them at will. If you don't want to chance having your party split up than book a cabin large enough for everyone or ensure that a competent adult is in each cabin.

[cruiser87654321]

It's fine to bring something like this up so people are aware. It isn't ok to expect the cruise ship to change safety procedures or for passengers to disregard them at will. If you don't want to chance having your party split up than book a cabin large enough for everyone or ensure that a competent adult is in each cabin.

 

I think you are (deliberately?) misunderstanding my comments. I am not asking the cruise lines to change safety procedures, I am asking for them to make the information available to passengers who may wish to ensure they are mustered together as a party. I am asking them to flag it up if cabins which straddle muster stations are booked for such parties. Had that been the case we would not have found ourselves in the position we did on RCI. In this age of technology it is certainly very doable if the will is there.

 

There are posters who have stated that regardless of age they would want their party at the same muster station. I get (from posts on the other thread) that you are not in that number, but others are.

[spookwife]

I see you did not call either:rolleyes:

 

didn't need to as I have no dog in this fight and really could care less about how Muster stations are allocated. Also in my own personal opinion it would never have been a deal breaker even if it did apply to me and really have serious issues with people who are willing to inconvenience( and possibly put into danger) other pax just so they can get their way.

 

the cruise line and crew have no say in the matter.. it is what it is and showing up to a Muster station demanding that they break protocol and squeeze your little darlings on board not only screws everything up, it possibly means the lifeboat is no longer safe to operate due to being over full.

 

why do you think at certain points some cabins that ostensibly hold up to 4 people are only allowed to book 2 in them?! it's because the life boat max limit in that section has been reached!

[spookwife]

Assigning a parent to each cabin still does not gaurantee you will all be assigned the same muster station! Isn't that the real issue here?

 

 

SO?! if you are so freaked out at being separated possibly, then why bother going anywhere or doing anything where it may happen? I guess I just cannot fathom this attached at the hip mentality so many parents/families seem to have..

 

seriously.. if it is THAT important that you never be separated ever ever ever, then book a cabin that fits all of you together.

[cruiser87654321]

Assigning a parent to each cabin still does not gaurantee you will all be assigned the same muster station! Isn't that the real issue here?

 

 

 

SO?! if you are so freaked out at being separated possibly, then why bother going anywhere or doing anything where it may happen? I guess I just cannot fathom this attached at the hip mentality so many parents/families seem to have..

 

seriously.. if it is THAT important that you never be separated ever ever ever, then book a cabin that fits all of you together.

 

 

Can you really not separate the "attached at the hip mentality" from the wish to be with loved ones, in an emergency, at sea, in the dark, at 3am? That was the scenario faced by the people on the Grandeur.

 

Surely, it is better to address the issue early on in the booking process than have people actually refusing to separate in the event this does happen? Which going off what some have said on the earlier thread may be a possible outcome.

[AZAficionado]

Providing the information at booking will only give people a false sense of security. On any ship, the Captain is IT - the alpha, the omega, the head honcho. He/she has all of the power and all of the responsibility for every life on board. In an emergency, the Captain is going to do whatever is necessary based on the situation. If that means splitting up families and ignoring assigned muster stations, then that is what will happen. What passengers were told at booking, or what is printed on a Sea Pass card, or the back of a cabin door is not going to influence the Captain's decisions in an emergency. And as someone on a ship, you can either do what the Captain says or risk the consequences which includes being put off the ship at any time.

[NJcruisenewbie]

 

 

Can you really not separate the "attached at the hip mentality" from the wish to be with loved ones, in an emergency, at sea, in the dark, at 3am? That was the scenario faced by the people on the Grandeur.

 

Surely, it is better to address the issue early on in the booking process than have people actually refusing to separate in the event this does happen? Which going off what some have said on the earlier thread may be a possible outcome.

 

I can understand wanting minor children with me or another adult in my travel group. I would of course book my party into cabins to ensure a minor was in a cabin with an adult. Even if it meant those parties didn't really sleep in the same cabin together.

 

I honestly don't understand the mentality of needing to have every member of my party with me to the point of refusing to follow safety procedures. Like I said, we traveled with 11 family members in 5 cabins and were at 2 different muster stations.

 

Here's another scenario to throw out there. What would happen if there was an emergency at a time when the kids club was open and packed with kids? Are they taken by staff to their cabin muster stations or is there a muster station specifically for the kids club? My child has never wanted to go to the kids club so I have no idea what the procedures are.

 

I have to imagine if the Captain is telling people to get to their muster stations it might be too unsafe for parents to go get their children or for staff to escort children to their parents.

[spookwife]

 

 

Can you really not separate the "attached at the hip mentality" from the wish to be with loved ones, in an emergency, at sea, in the dark, at 3am? That was the scenario faced by the people on the Grandeur.

 

Surely, it is better to address the issue early on in the booking process than have people actually refusing to separate in the event this does happen? Which going off what some have said on the earlier thread may be a possible outcome.

 

I have been through tai -fun, earthquakes, major wildfires and Hurricanes separated from my spouse because he was called in to secure the Base, and my family was all thousands of miles away. to include being evacuated and having to figure out how my cats were going to be evac'd as well. oh and I did all this being unable to drive and physically handicapped.

 

and that doesn't even count 9/11( in a foreign country) when he was already gone and it took a while to get into contact with him, let alone get him back to Base.

 

that's why I stand by my assertion.,. if you are one of those types then book so that there is NO possibility of being separated in any way shape or form.

[Eriksgarden]

I thought Muster Stations for Port cabins are located Port, and Stations for Starboard are located Starboard? And is the purpose of Muster Stations to save lives, or to accomodate preferences? If parents are so concerned, then have a parent stay in each cabin. If everyone is Mustered safely, then the Ship has done its job.

[cruiser87654321]

I have been through tai -fun, earthquakes, major wildfires and Hurricanes separated from my spouse because he was called in to secure the Base, and my family was all thousands of miles away. to include being evacuated and having to figure out how my cats were going to be evac'd as well. oh and I did all this being unable to drive and physically handicapped.

 

and that doesn't even count 9/11( in a foreign country) when he was already gone and it took a while to get into contact with him, let alone get him back to Base.

 

that's why I stand by my assertion.,. if you are one of those types then book so that there is NO possibility of being separated in any way shape or form.

 

Goodness, I wonder what they are!!

 

All the things you mention (which by the way you are not the only one to have coped with;)) are things over which no one has any control, or input over where they are when they strike. So, like everyone else, you cope with what is thrown at you.

 

In a cruise ship situation that is not the case, on here we see things planned down to the minutest detail. Why should the muster station issue be any different? It is relevant to many so quite why those to whom it is not relevant need to use a disparaging tone or turn of phrase escapes me.

[NJcruisenewbie]

Goodness, I wonder what they are!!

 

All the things you mention (which by the way you are not the only one to have coped with;)) are things over which no one has any control, or input over where they are when they strike. So, like everyone else, you cope with what is thrown at you.

 

In a cruise ship situation that is not the case, on here we see things planned down to the minutest detail. Why should the muster station issue be any different? It is relevant to many so quite why those to whom it is not relevant need to use a disparaging tone or turn of phrase escapes me.

 

It's the arrogance by which some people are stating they will disregard muster station assignments so that their family is together that is ruffling some posters' feathers. That complete disregard for safety procedures puts everyone in danger including the parties that are doing it.

 

Spend weeks gathering muster station cabin assignments from CC members and creating ship diagrams for all I care. However, if the need arises for the captain to exercise safety procedures go where you are told to go and don't argue about it.

[joepeka]

It's the arrogance by which some people are stating they will disregard muster station assignments so that their family is together that is ruffling some posters' feathers. That complete disregard for safety procedures puts everyone in danger including the parties that are doing it.

I think most here completely agree and that really was not (I don't believe) the OP's intent in starting this thread. Rather, he was throwing out the idea that muster station-cabin assignments be part of the cruise lines reservation system so that in a multi-cabin booking situation, the customer could be advised of the split station assignment and make decisions appropriate for them.

[texasgirl73]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I had not thought about it before. When I booked for my family, I booked 3 rooms- all adjoining, none of them connecting. My husband and I are in the center room. Our 2 daughters (ages 18 and 10) are one one side of us. Our 2 sons (ages 13 and 8) are on the other. When I booked I assumed that I had to put myself in one room and my husband in another but the booking agent encouraged me to book exactly how we would be sleeping, she insisted that it would make things easier. Muster stations never entered my mind. If we are split from the girls it wouldn't be so bad- they are quite mature for their ages and I trust that the 18 year old could keep the 10 year old calm in an emergency. But our sons are not as mature. I couldn't imagine my 13 year old trying to reassure the 8 year old because he is the least likely to remain calm of all of us, the 8 year old would probably be better off on his own because he would at least not have his brother freaking out making things worse!!! So now I am trying to figure out what to do. I am thinking I will just wait and see what the muster stations are when I get there and switch rooms around if I have to at port. We may very well all be at the same muster station and it could be a non-issue but at least I now know to look for it when I check in.

[spookwife]

It's the arrogance by which some people are stating they will disregard muster station assignments so that their family is together that is ruffling some posters' feathers. That complete disregard for safety procedures puts everyone in danger including the parties that are doing it.

 

Spend weeks gathering muster station cabin assignments from CC members and creating ship diagrams for all I care. However, if the need arises for the captain to exercise safety procedures go where you are told to go and don't argue about it.

 

 

THIS

 

I concede that the information is one of those things that you never think about but could be relevant. so for those people who are so anal about every little detail, then they need to adjust THEIR plans accordingly, as the ship and crew have no wiggle room at all.

 

I'd be pissed as hell if I showed up to MY assigned muster station only to be told "uhh, sorry, but Mr and Mrs Entitled showed up with their kids who were not assigned to this station and forced their way on board, the lifeboat is now full."

[cruiser87654321]

THIS

 

I concede that the information is one of those things that you never think about but could be relevant. so for those people who are so anal about every little detail, then they need to adjust THEIR plans accordingly, as the ship and crew have no wiggle room at all.

 

I'd be pissed as hell if I showed up to MY assigned muster station only to be told "uhh, sorry, but Mr and Mrs Entitled showed up with their kids who were not assigned to this station and forced their way on board, the lifeboat is now full."

 

How do you propose they adjust their plans if they have no way of knowing which cabins are at which muster station? That is what is under discussion, the fact that such information should be available to those who want it.

And we are not talking about the "put a parent in routine;) but the fact that regardless of age some families (as they have stated) would want to be together in an emergency situation.

[fragilek]

Hi copied from previous posting on other thread.

 

It would never have crossed my mind (will do from now on). We would have not been able to remain on the cruise if that had happened to us. My eldest 20yrs would be in a cabin with her 15yr sister. But the 20yr old is diabetic and a sudden fright/ stress makes her sugars drop and can/does cause her to fit then go under in a low = she can go from normal sugars to dangerously low in 2 mins if she gets a shock there is no way I would leave my 15yrs old to handle that. We also could not shake up the cabin assignment so DH would go with her and 15 yr old with me as I have mobility issues (MS) and my DH would be left panicking that my 15yr old was able to cope helping me off. So for us it would be a leave the ship situation. I am really glad that this has been brought to my attention as I am just planning our next cruise. And will not book until I have it in writing that we will be using the same muster station

 

 

Reason for this repost is I am at this moment waiting for RCI to get back to me before I go head with my booking. They understand my problem so have said that they will try and help. Didn't sound too positive that they could but said they would try. I will post back when I hear anything.

 

 

Oh and to the person on the other thread who implied that given our issues we should just stay home :rolleyes:- Thanks- but no thanks -

 

We have even managed holidays in the arctic over xmas - amazing !!-I have brought my girls up not just to give in to the hand that you have been dealt. Our family just needs to put in a bit more effort at the planning stage ;)

[cusecruise]

I have avoided commenting on this thread as I don't have a dog in the fight either but I keep seeing comments about booking an adult in each cabin and then switching things once you get on board. In a real emergency, this is really a bad, bad idea.

 

First - the kids that are now together in the cabin where an adult was supposed to be are now on their own to get to the muster station. If it is smoky or heaven forbid, the adult is unable to get to the kids, they are on their own anyway! There is a reason the cruise lines want an adult in every cabin!

 

Second - if, again, heaven forbid, someone doesn't get to the muster station and the authorities have to go looking cabin to cabin, they might well be looking for an adult when it was a child in the room or vice versa. It doesn't matter if you have the same station or not, truth is, someone may not make it there!

 

Bottom line, if you don't think the person in the cabin (regardless of age) can handle getting to a muster station without you - don't let them stay alone! If you can't handle being separated from your loved one or friend, same thing applies, don't stay in a different cabin!

[cruiser87654321]

I have avoided commenting on this thread as I don't have a dog in the fight either but I keep seeing comments about booking an adult in each cabin and then switching things once you get on board. In a real emergency, this is really a bad, bad idea.

 

First - the kids that are now together in the cabin where an adult was supposed to be are now on their own to get to the muster station. If it is smoky or heaven forbid, the adult is unable to get to the kids, they are on their own anyway! There is a reason the cruise lines want an adult in every cabin!

 

Second - if, again, heaven forbid, someone doesn't get to the muster station and the authorities have to go looking cabin to cabin, they might well be looking for an adult when it was a child in the room or vice versa. It doesn't matter if you have the same station or not, truth is, someone may not make it there!

 

Bottom line, if you don't think the person in the cabin (regardless of age) can handle getting to a muster station without you - don't let them stay alone! If you can't handle being separated from your loved one or friend, same thing applies, don't stay in a different cabin!

 

 

As I understand it, not all cruise lines impose the one adult in the cabin rule.

[rculross]

Really? Parents would want their whole family to go down with the ship instead of the possibility of some of them making it?

 

The problem with this logic is that you don't know ahead of time what will happen to the lifeboats. Let's flip your question around...what if the lifeboat the parents are on is the one to make it and the lifeboat the kids are on doesn't make it? I would obviously do anything that needed to be done for my kids to survive, even if I did not. However, splitting up my family does not guarantee better odds for my kids, so I'd rather be with my kids and wife where doing whatever it takes to save them is still a possibility.

[hgmizzou]

Wow! I am really surprised by the vitriol of some of the posters on this thread. I read the ENTIRE thread on the Grandeur and have read this one as well.

 

There may be one or two "entitled" people indicating that they would violate the rules and go to the same muster station regardless of their assignment, but that is NOT what this thread is about. (Not to mention that it wouldn't matter anyway - since RCCL scans Set Sail Passes as passengers arrive. I would assume that if you showed up to the wrong muster station you would more than likely be forced to go to the correct one by the crew. I don't think anyone is supporting people acting like Ismay on the Titanic).

 

It was my understanding that the OP was simply bringing this issue to the forefront for those who book multiple cabins and had never thought about this issue. I, for one, appreciate it. I had never thought about the possibility of being split up during a crisis such as abandoning ship. If I had been on the Grandeur, during the four hours they were at muster stations, I would have been a wreck if my kids or parents were somewhere else on the ship. It is comforting to have everyone together during a crisis.

 

I don't see the harm in RCCL having muster locations on their computer systems. I also can't believe that it would be that big a deal to get the information together (I am sure it is available on the computer programs of each of their ships). Based on what I have read here on CC, it seems that muster stations are based on FULL occupancy of a cabin and, therefore, would not be all that changeable. (To the poster who keeps harping on the Captain changing things - of course anything is possible - but I seriously doubt that during a crisis the Captain is going to sit down with a seating chart and start rearranging muster stations.)

 

I will be traveling with my parents next April and I, personally, would like for all of us to be together if something happens. It isn't a requirement and I certainly would not break any RCCL rules to make it so - but I would like to be together if possible.

 

If RCCL had this information, it would be great for those of us who care, to be able to ask the question and then be notified (to the best of their knowledge) that we might be split up. It could affect our cabin choice decision. If I knew that we were on the line, maybe I would choose the cabin on the other side of me or somewhere else on the ship.

 

All that being said, this is a good thread and a topic of importance to some. There is no reason to be nasty to those who care but had never thought about this issue before.