Skipping the safety drill...

[lady_cruiser]

We were on the Carnival Splendor out of Long Beach, and a guy refused to go to the safety drill. The Captain was involved, and he was put off the ship. His girlfriend was crying and she was told she could stay on because she did cooperate with the drill, or she could get off. She elected to get off with him, and we were delayed leaving about an hour while they packed. The were escorted off the ship.

 

They do check the cabins, and we have seen them counting people at the muster stations.

 

Now this is the kind of ending I like to read.

[Aquahound]

We were on the Carnival Splendor out of Long Beach, and a guy refused to go to the safety drill. The Captain was involved, and he was put off the ship. His girlfriend was crying and she was told she could stay on because she did cooperate with the drill, or she could get off. She elected to get off with him, and we were delayed leaving about an hour while they packed. The were escorted off the ship.

 

They do check the cabins, and we have seen them counting people at the muster stations.

 

Awesome. That's exactly what should happen to people who are so flippn' stupid as to intentionally avoid it. I'm sure the fellow passengers don't mind having one less idiot on board.

[reedl]

On RCCL, they scan your seapass card, so they know exactly who had not attended. If you do not attend, I would guess there would be consequences.

 

I always have gone, and will continue to go. I do not get the "I am too important to attend such a mundane event" attitude of some people.

 

I even still watch the safety briefing on planes even though I can quote it verbatim anyways. I really like the part of how a seat belt buckle works!

[ksqueak]

Last year I did a B2B and was specifically told we would miss the drill on the second sailing because of the shore excursion that we signed up for (arriving back too late). We were then told when our "makeup" session would be. That was a first for me, I've never even considered skipping one. Turns out we did arrive back in time.

[citygirl62]

We were on the Carnival Splendor out of Long Beach, and a guy refused to go to the safety drill. The Captain was involved, and he was put off the ship. His girlfriend was crying and she was told she could stay on because she did cooperate with the drill, or she could get off. She elected to get off with him, and we were delayed leaving about an hour while they packed. The were escorted off the ship.

 

They do check the cabins, and we have seen them counting people at the muster stations.

 

Ah, a happy ending! I just don't get individuals that refuse to go to muster. It seems like a badge of courage or they are too cool to attend. It seems pretty juvenile to me and I can guess that if a real emergency arose they would be the ones screwing everything up because the don't have a clue what to do. Either that or trample over kids and women to get off the ship first.

[spookwife]

Yes, i go to them. No, I'm not condoning anyone skipping them...

 

That said, I am curious how many of you skip them and what you do not get caught...

 

No, im not looking for ways to skip it.. Lol... Just some humorous stories...

 

you CANNOT skip them as attendance is taken, they hold up the drill until EVERYONE arrives and if you still fail to show after repeated attempts you WILL be kicked off the ship with zero recourse.

 

not too long ago this happened to a couple of the second leg of a B2B as she decided that since she went to it earlier in the week and wasn't feeling well that she was not obligated to do so and refused to attend.

[Gunner22aa]

Your card is scanned as you enter your muster station so skipping is out of the question. Our briefing was delayed by almost half an hour while the staff chased down two couples who thought attending the briefing was beneath them. When they were finally escorted into the lounge they weren't exactly met with a standing ovation from the other 200 or so of us that they had kept waiting. In fact some of the comments they received were rather pointed.

[sail7seas]

HAL has taken roll call for years and used to have a 'make up drill' for those who missed it. Now, they continue to take roll call and if you miss the drill without being ill in the infirmary, you are put off the ship. You do not sail.

 

Our most recent cruise, Captain made announcement at time the dining room had opened to begin serving for the evening and he announced to the people (who he named) did not report to a named location NOW, he sincerely hopes they enjoy their dinner as that would be the last one they would be having on the ship.

 

HAL Captains will not fool around about Life Boat Drill. They mean it. Be there!

[sail7seas]

Last year I did a B2B and was specifically told we would miss the drill on the second sailing because of the shore excursion that we signed up for (arriving back too late). We were then told when our "makeup" session would be. That was a first for me, I've never even considered skipping one. Turns out we did arrive back in time.

 

 

Prior to Costa Concordia incident, we used to be excused from second Life Boat Drill on our B-to-B sailings. We have sailed HAL over 80 cruises and have a fair idea what is expected of us in an emergency. After Costa Concordia, everyone is required to attend all passenger life boat drills no matter B-to-B or any other reason other than illness in the infirmary.

 

There are accomodations available for those with mobility problems but they are not permitted to simply avoid the drill or remain in their cabin.

[Sherlock43031]

the faster everyone shows up the faster the drill is over.. there are always a certain type of people who think the rules apply to everyone but them. why in the world would anyone want to be 'hammered' before the muster drill. is it just the excitement of being out of your Mom's basement?

[Aquahound]

HAL has taken roll call for years and used to have a 'make up drill' for those who missed it. Now, they continue to take roll call and if you miss the drill without being ill in the infirmary, you are put off the ship. You do not sail.

 

Our most recent cruise, Captain made announcement at time the dining room had opened to begin serving for the evening and he announced to the people (who he named) did not report to a named location NOW, he sincerely hopes they enjoy their dinner as that would be the last one they would be having on the ship.

 

HAL Captains will not fool around about Life Boat Drill. They mean it. Be there!

 

That is awesome. My one HAL cruise, Nieuw Amsterdam, was only a couple months after the Concordia disaster. The Cruise Director and Captain made it very clear, over and over agian, any persons not attending the drill would not be permitted to sail. I thought it was great. It's exactly how I would be if I was the ship's Master.

[Hlitner]

Times have changed since the Concordia disaster and most cruise lines now take the safety drill very serious. In fact, we know of 2 cases where passengers were removed from the ship and not permitted to cruise because they missed the drill. These two cases happened in the last year (one on HAL and the other on Celebrity) and we have heard stories of others. On our most recent HAL cruise they make it quite clear, during an announcement, that you either went to the drill of left the ship. On our recent long cruises (on HAL) they would no longer excuse passengers from the drill just because they had been on a previous cruise. On that 28 day cruise we had to attend 3 drills....2 of which happened in the first 7 days.

 

Hank

[lcmslady]

I've never skipped a muster drill, even though I might want to. I understand the importance and I'm pretty sure that if didn't attend and something happened, I wouldn't know where my muster station was.

 

Post-Concordia incident, I now pay far more attention than I used to and I wish others would.

 

The drill would be over quicker if everyone just showed up and shut up.

[alexspepa]

I even still watch the safety briefing on planes even though I can quote it verbatim anyways. I really like the part of how a seat belt buckle works!

 

One of our best friends is a USAIR flight attendent - she said on her flight the day after the Hudson River ditching it took her a minute to figure out why everyone was intently watching her safety demonstration...

[kcwingwalker]

We always go to the drill it's just part of the cruise.

 

The last one we attended were almost embarrassing. The drill began on time. No attendance was taken, people arrived late, lots of talking on cell phones, many were enjoying drinks and one group was eating hamburgers. Very much doubt many were paying any attention.

Edited January 8, 2014 by kcwingwalker

[NMLady]

Yes, i go to them. No, I'm not condoning anyone skipping them...

 

That said, I am curious how many of you skip them and what you do not get caught...

 

No, im not looking for ways to skip it.. Lol... Just some humorous stories...

 

Ever since the Concordia disaster most cruise lines put off the ship anyone who does not do the muster drill.

 

Names are checked off, those not there are looked for, which causes delay for everyone else. Those late because of late boarding because of delayed flights are assigned a time to make up the drill. On most ships nowadays the muster drill is taken very seriously.

Edited January 8, 2014 by NMLady

[leaveitallbehind]

What I find interesting about this thread is not that some people decide not to attend (which to me makes no sense), but the variances between the cruise lines in how they portray and enforce its significance.

 

I can echo the other RCI cruisers comments in that they will not tolerate people skipping the drill, will check each stateroom, do scan each SeaPass card, and will not clear muster until each passenger is accounted for at their station. They also will not depart the pier until it is completed.

 

BTW - I like the fact that they take it that seriously.

Edited January 8, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[SuitCaseBears]

Yes, i go to them. No, I'm not condoning anyone skipping them...

 

That said, I am curious how many of you skip them and what you do not get caught...

 

No, im not looking for ways to skip it.. Lol... Just some humorous stories...

 

I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would think anyone else skipping the muster would result in a "humorous story."

 

I assumed and am happy I assumed correctly that most reactions would be "YAY they put that person off the ship."

 

Making a joke out of people skipping safety drills just doesn't make sense to me.

[slidergirl]

I go to every muster drill and pay attention. I'm not in the same cabin on the same deck on the same ship every time. That said, there is still the "refresh" of being reminded of what needs to be done in the case of an emergency.

 

I'm also one of those who listens to the safety announcement on my flights. Again, I'm not in the same seat on the same type of plane on the same airline. Yes, I DO count the number of seats between me and my nearest exit, even if it's behind me :)

[jchris1230]

People do get kicked off the ship for skipping, so I wouldnt skip if I were you

 

Sent from my HTC One using Forums mobile app

[Hazelroo]

I have had too many Funship Specials that I don't remember the safety drill, but I have always gone! :D

[alexspepa]

We always go to the drill it's just part of the cruise.

 

The last one we attended were almost embarrassing. The drill began on time. No attendance was taken, people arrived late, lots of talking on cell phones, many were enjoying drinks and one group was eating hamburgers. Very much doubt many were paying any attention.

 

On Celebrity our muster station was in the steak house - the life jacket presentation was given by two very attractive hostesses who were already dressed in their hostessing attire...needless to say at least half the crowd watched every bit of the life jacket modeling.

[SMerritt]

Never skipped a drill and never will. Honestly don't find anything humorous or fun about this thread. :confused:

 

Agree.......we never miss the drills

 

NCL now scans your sea pass

 

It is for your safety to know where you are going, and if there was an emergency, not to be impeded by lost souls that skipped the drill.

[Blk_Amish]

I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would think anyone else skipping the muster would result in a "humorous story."

 

I assumed and am happy I assumed correctly that most reactions would be "YAY they put that person off the ship."

 

Making a joke out of people skipping safety drills just doesn't make sense to me.

 

If you are joking you are not flaming :D

 

I attend the drills but I know if something goes wrong I am SOL. I have given thoughts to skipping the ones on RCL because of the being lined up outside with the life jacket. This can be a nightmare for someone taking heart or blood pressure meds and a horrible way to start a vacation. I recall thinking let this be over and I am willing to take my chance with the sharks. Princess does it in a lovely lounge and so did Carnival on my last cruise.

Edited January 8, 2014 by Blk_Amish

[leaveitallbehind]

If you are joking you are not flaming :D

 

I attend the drills but I know if something goes wrong I am SOL. I have given thoughts to skipping the ones on RCL because of the being lined up outside with the life jacket. This can be a nightmare for someone taking heart or blood pressure meds and a horrible way to start a vacation. I recall thinking let this be over and I am willing to take my chance with the sharks. Princess does it in a lovely lounge and so did Carnival on my last cruise.

 

The muster locations vary on RCI - several ships still do the drills outside, others do them in lounges as well as outside - but none of the ships we've been on in recent years require the life vests at the drill. That ended several years ago in our experience. The life vests will be at the muster stations in a real emergency - and in fact in an emergency you are supposed to go directly to your muster stations, not to your room pick up the vests.

 

As to skipping the drill - you won't be able to with RCI as I indicated in a previous post (#42). They scan all SeaPass cards and will not conclude the drill until all passengers are present and accounted for.

Edited January 8, 2014 by leaveitallbehind