siforest65 Posted September 6, 2019 #1 Share Posted September 6, 2019 A couple of observations. Having sailed on all 3 Cunard ships, the muster station drill on the QM2 seems far more tense than on the other 2 ships with us being shoehorned into a small area for it with standing room only. Is this due to the higher passenger count on the QM2? Also on our August cruise on the QE we didn’t have to take life jackets to the drill and demonstrate putting them on. My parents have just boarded the QV today and said they’ve also been told no life jackets needed at muster drill. Is this new policy from Cunard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Hattie Posted September 6, 2019 #2 Share Posted September 6, 2019 Yes, it seems to be a change since we last sailed in July. The difference in Muster station comfort is because of the different layout of the ships. If you're towards the stern of QM2 you get the Grills but if you're really unlucky it's the gym. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted September 6, 2019 #3 Share Posted September 6, 2019 Cruise lines in general seem to be moving away from taking life jackets to the drills. I think the consensus is that the risk of falls from loose straps on the jackets outweighs the benefit of taking the PFD. I'm sure your cabin steward would be happy to help you if you want to try putting the jacket on. Roy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlueRiband Posted September 6, 2019 #4 Share Posted September 6, 2019 I hope the change doesn't lead to an increase in the loss of life should the unthinkable happen. Having witnessed the difficulty some have had in putting life jackets on during a drill it could only get worse in a real emergency when the adrenaline is pumping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Boy Posted September 6, 2019 #5 Share Posted September 6, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, siforest65 said: A couple of observations. Having sailed on all 3 Cunard ships, the muster station drill on the QM2 seems far more tense than on the other 2 ships with us being shoehorned into a small area for it with standing room only. Is this due to the higher passenger count on the QM2? Also on our August cruise on the QE we didn’t have to take life jackets to the drill and demonstrate putting them on. My parents have just boarded the QV today and said they’ve also been told no life jackets needed at muster drill. Is this new policy from Cunard? The request 'not to take the life jacket' to the Muster station has been trial on Queen Elizabeth. It now appears it is now on Queen Victoria ( from your post) We await to hear from Shore side if this will be the new policy across the fleet . Edited September 6, 2019 by Bell Boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bedruthen Posted September 6, 2019 #6 Share Posted September 6, 2019 No life jackets at drill was also our experience on Britannia last month Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Boy Posted September 6, 2019 #7 Share Posted September 6, 2019 1 minute ago, Bedruthen said: No life jackets at drill was also our experience on Britannia last month Nether when I sail on Seabourn . 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bedruthen Posted September 6, 2019 #8 Share Posted September 6, 2019 What is this Seabourn that you speak of? 😂 As we shall be on QE2 on 20th October I shall be sure to report back. Obviously when we sail on our own mega yacht, such trivial matters are for the staff to deal with 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwatr Posted September 6, 2019 #9 Share Posted September 6, 2019 2 hours ago, Host Hattie said: If you're towards the stern of QM2 you get the Grills but if you're really unlucky it's the gym. We've had the gym once or twice and the grills once, but most often we're in the Carinthia Lounge, which is nice. I think we'll be in the gym in December - deck 11 quite far forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOldBear Posted September 6, 2019 #10 Share Posted September 6, 2019 We'll see what happens Sunday - muster station will be in Kings Court, and see if we need our PFDs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzy1 Posted September 6, 2019 #11 Share Posted September 6, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Bell Boy said: The request 'not to take the life jacket' to the Muster station has been trial on Queen Elizabeth. It now appears it is now on Queen Victoria ( from your post) We await to hear from Shore side if this will be the new policy across the fleet . Same on QM2 Edited September 6, 2019 by fizzy1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Boy Posted September 6, 2019 #12 Share Posted September 6, 2019 45 minutes ago, fizzy1 said: Same on QM2 That's sounds good , was not consistent QM 2 ex 28th Aug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deck chair Posted September 6, 2019 #13 Share Posted September 6, 2019 (edited) Hello: On my most recent crossings on QM2 this past July and August no life jackets were required which is a good thing. This was a recent change as on my 40 day world cruise segment Winte2019 all passengers were required to bring them along. One advantage with this new policy is that passengers do not have to return to their cabins to put jackets away and can instead go right out on deck for the sailing away festivities. With respect to the spaces sometimes being standing room only I would please advise you to arrive at your station EARLY and get a seat. If you wait until the last minute as many passengers always do it should be no surprise that all the seats are taken. Deck Chair Edited September 6, 2019 by deck chair 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBearSF Posted September 7, 2019 #14 Share Posted September 7, 2019 11 hours ago, Host Hattie said: Yes, it seems to be a change since we last sailed in July. The difference in Muster station comfort is because of the different layout of the ships. If you're towards the stern of QM2 you get the Grills but if you're really unlucky it's the gym. True - but after our sixth trip on her in July, we finally can say we saw the gym and spent some time there. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Boy Posted September 7, 2019 #15 Share Posted September 7, 2019 9 hours ago, Bell Boy said: That's sounds good , was not consistent QM 2 ex 28th Aug. edited to read QM2 ex Brooklyn 28th 'July' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted September 9, 2019 #16 Share Posted September 9, 2019 (edited) On 9/7/2019 at 12:13 AM, MarkBearSF said: True - but after our sixth trip on her in July, we finally can say we saw the gym and spent some time there. My reaction to having the gym as our muster station was disappointment because I was breaking my streak of never going to the gym on the ship! HAL stopped asking people to bring life vests to the muster a few years ago. They cited injuries from people tripping on the straps. Edited September 9, 2019 by 3rdGenCunarder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qa2024 Posted September 7 #17 Share Posted September 7 i know this is an old post but as it's not locked my muster station for a deck 4 cabin 4002 was kings court which letter was/is this j? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planning to cruise Posted September 7 #18 Share Posted September 7 On 9/9/2019 at 8:37 PM, 3rdGenCunarder said: My reaction to having the gym as our muster station was disappointment because I was breaking my streak of never going to the gym on the ship! In over 200 nights total on QM2 I have only been inside the gym for muster drill. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 7 #19 Share Posted September 7 On 9/9/2019 at 8:37 PM, 3rdGenCunarder said: My reaction to having the gym as our muster station was disappointment because I was breaking my streak of never going to the gym on the ship! HAL stopped asking people to bring life vests to the muster a few years ago. They cited injuries from people tripping on the straps. It took me a long time to get over having to go to the gym for muster. And several glasses of wine. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BklynBoy8 Posted September 8 #20 Share Posted September 8 On 9/6/2019 at 12:06 PM, siforest65 said: A couple of observations. Having sailed on all 3 Cunard ships, the muster station drill on the QM2 seems far more tense than on the other 2 ships with us being shoehorned into a small area for it with standing room only. Is this due to the higher passenger count on the QM2? Also on our August cruise on the QE we didn’t have to take life jackets to the drill and demonstrate putting them on. My parents have just boarded the QV today and said they’ve also been told no life jackets needed at muster drill. Is this new policy from Cunard? We too have since after the Pandemic have experienced the new policy of having the Passenger Card just scanned at the Muster Station and review the procedure for Mustering on the TV if it is called to be activated under emergency conditions. They still do a short review by PA before setting sail. But even before this procedure was instituted, we did bring the vests down to the Boat Stations and were not told to put them on. It's been quite a number of years before that we reviewed on vest placement. Also certain locations are within the ship instead the old style gathering on the Promenade Deck. This was suppose to be if there is an emergency with questionable weather, better to gather in the interior of the ship. We being a longtime Cunarder, we are familiar with the procedures of LifeBoat Drill and how to place a vest on. And not so for those "Newbies" to sailing. But an announcement if any passenger needs further assistance, a staff member would be happy to assist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rog747 Posted September 8 #21 Share Posted September 8 (edited) As such today 'Life Boat drill' on Cunard is pretty much virtual You get asked ASAP to attend your allocated muster station (also shown on your key card as a letter ie: muster station D) to get your card scanned by a crew member who will be there anytime up to about an hour prior to sailing, they do state a cut off time, ie:16:30 - If you don't do this then they will come looking for you! It's up to you now to watch the in-cabin safety video, (note your lifejackets are in your wardrobes and how to put them on correctly) and to assess where your Muster Station area is in relation to the lifeboats, which are all on the Prom deck. (QA QE QV on deck 3 and deck 7 on QM2) I quite miss the old days of the boat deck gathering and lifejacket demo get-together... Edited September 8 by rog747 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare david63 Posted September 8 #22 Share Posted September 8 1 hour ago, rog747 said: assess where your Muster Station area is in relation to the lifeboats, That is not really necessary, or even possible, as you have no way of knowing which lifeboat(s) will be being used in an emergency, nor which one is "yours", and no matter what the crew will direct you to the lifeboats when/if required. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rog747 Posted September 8 #23 Share Posted September 8 (edited) 15 minutes ago, david63 said: That is not really necessary, or even possible, as you have no way of knowing which lifeboat(s) will be being used in an emergency, nor which one is "yours", and no matter what the crew will direct you to the lifeboats when/if required. I was merely stating the obvious (especially to Cunard first timers) it would be most prudent to familiarise oneself with all the locations and that includes the decks of all of the safety equipment... Edited September 8 by rog747 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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