Mustering up an appetite after mustering in the dining room

[buckeye82]

On our POA cruise this past December we had our muster drill in one of the main dining rooms. Everyone was sitting at tables that were fully set for dinner. People being people were touching utensils, glasses and napkins, coughing, and sneezing. My husband and I decided we would be eating late, hopefully after the tables had been turned over at least once. We have been on many cruises and had never mustered in a MDR before. Now we will always be uneasy about eating early on embarkation day! Do most ships use the MDR for muster drills?

[MeHeartCruising]

Yep. We've thought the same thing after being in dining rooms several times for the muster drill. People were picking up the utensils and dishes, placing their personal belonging on the tables, moving things around as needed, etc. It seems they should not prepare the tables for dining until after the drill to me.

Edited March 27, 2014 by MeHeartCruising

[mizLORInj]

I think last time we mustered in a dining room (January) there were tablecloths over the tables covering the plates, glasses, etc.

[Funsince1983]

January & March on the Gem they were all covered with tablecloths.

[Erik101]

Yes, some ships use the dining room for the drill. I understand what you're talking about which is why we dine at a specialty restaurant on embarkation day.

[chengkp75]

Here's the quote from the USPH VSP regarding preset dinnerware:

 

7.5.6.3.3 Preset Tableware (28)

TABLEWARE that is preset longer than 4 hours before the beginning of service must be protected from CONTAMINATION by being wrapped, covered, or inverted.

When TABLEWARE is preset, exposed unused settings must be

• removed at the time a CONSUMER is seated or

• washed, rinsed, and sanitized before further use if the settings are not removed when a CONSUMER is seated.

 

So even if preset, and contaminated by a muster drill within the 4 hour limit, the place setting must be removed when you are seated. If this is not done, request it to be done.

[peg013]

Both times I was on the Breakaway, the preset tables were covered by an additional tablecloth to keep everything clean during muster. :)

[buckeye82]

Both times I was on the Breakaway, the preset tables were covered by an additional tablecloth to keep everything clean during muster. :)

 

 

Seems like that would be a sensible thing to do!

[garycarla]

Here's the quote from the USPH VSP regarding preset dinnerware:

...

 

Not sure what a "USPH VSP" is, and if that requirement applies. But, it sounds like a good rule.

[chengkp75]

Not sure what a "USPH VSP" is, and if that requirement applies. But, it sounds like a good rule.

 

The USPH (US Public Health) is the branch of what everyone refers to as CDC, and the Vessel Sanitation Program is the regulations that govern cruise ship sanitation on all ships calling on US ports. To be completely accurate, the POA is inspected by the FDA, not USPH, since it never leaves the US (USPH's mandate is to prevent disease entering the US), but FDA regulations are derived from USPH.

[Ewoodspark]

The USPH (US Public Health) is the branch of what everyone refers to as CDC, and the Vessel Sanitation Program is the regulations that govern cruise ship sanitation on all ships calling on US ports. To be completely accurate, the POA is inspected by the FDA, not USPH, since it never leaves the US (USPH's mandate is to prevent disease entering the US), but FDA regulations are derived from USPH.

Is it not correct though that UBT which was introduced by LPH in the 70's is only going half way to sorting the POLL, especially when combined with BAM and SAD?

Edited March 27, 2014 by Ewoodspark

[buckeye82]

Is it not correct though that UBT which was introduced by LPH in the 70's is only going half way to sorting the POLL, especially when combined with BAM and SAD?

 

 

Oh no! Look what I started. I'll just eat in the buffet on embarkation day! :p