Boarding Procedure-Muster

[Clay Clayton]

If someone has reported about this lately, I apologize but I missed it. What is the current boarding procedure?  
 

On our last Viking Cruise (which was one of the Welcome Back ones around Iceland) immediately upon boarding you were directed to your muster station where someone checked you in and demonstrated how to put on the life vest. From there you had to go to your room for your first spit test and remain isolated until they had the results. 
 

I know that the testing is no longer taking place but wonder if they have kept the individual muster sessions?  
 

That’s what we did on NCL last month and on HAL back in October.  Sure is more relaxing than gathering with 400 of your new friends in the Dining Room (or Theatre) for a traditional muster drill.  On both lines, they requested you check in at your station before sailaway and about 30 minutes before they called folks who hadn’t 😳. Also on both lines, the TV wouldn’t allow you to change the channel until you had watched the safety video. NCL even emailed a link to the video before we left home so we got to watch it several times😂

 

Anyway, have some friends joining us for the first time on Viking and would like to tell them what to expect. 
 

TIA if you have sailed recently and can share your experience. 
 

 

[shmabbies]

We boarded Sky in Civitavecchia about 10 weeks ago (our first post-Covid cruise) and the procedure was as you described, minus the spitting and waiting, of course.  DH liked this new operation, which we did not know about in advance.  Me, not so much, because after a loooong flight, we had spent an hour at FCO in the immigration line, then had baggage claim and the ~hour transfer from FCO to Civitavecchia, before being pounced on and almost literally dragged to the theater.  I had to pee so badly at that point and not knowing this was going to happen, I had not prepared accordingly, so I was not so much a fan.  Later in the cruise and upon reflection, I gained an appreciation for how much better this system was.  You are performing a great Public Service Announcement by preparing folks who might think they are going directly to their cabin upon boarding.  I acknowledge this was all my own fault.

[Moonlion]

On our BIE cruise this May, we were directed to The Restaurant (our assigned muster station; others may have been assigned to other stations) for a 5- minute instruction on putting on the life vests. No more Covid testing or procedures. 

[Mich3554]

Quick 5 min meeting in the restaurant, and you need to watch the safety video in your cabin.  

[TayanaLorna]

On the Sea at end of February, we were ushered to the Star Theatre where we watched a video about how to don a life vest.  Then we were free to go to lunch.  When the rooms were ready we still had to watch the safety video to the end.  No pre boarding or daily Covid testing, no temperature check machines, masks optional, no social distancing tables or seating.  Quarantine 5 days in cabin if Covid positive, no separate cabins.

[CCWineLover]

Our passengers in Dec on the Star went to either the Star Theatre or the Restaurant, depending on your cabin number.  Then we were instructed to go to the room and watch the safety video and mark that we had watched it.   We went to Star Theatre.  one of the performers gave a little talk to about 20 of us.  (no video - just live demonstration).  When we left, they ushered in the next group of 20 arrivals.

 

For those concerned, when we boarded, had to pee as well, so just told them hold on a minute and slipped into the bathrooms outside the Star Theatre.   So don't worry - you can take a moment to go before you have the briefing!

[shmabbies]

31 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

For those concerned, when we boarded, had to pee as well, so just told them hold on a minute and slipped into the bathrooms outside the Star Theatre.   So don't worry - you can take a moment to go before you have the briefing!

Our "escort" was very no-nonsense and authoritative.  Frankly I didn't push it (I take responsibility for this as well - I should have done as you did) especially since (I forgot to mention) when they use this method (grabbing you as you board), you are also carrying all your carryon luggage, coat, and so forth and you would have to deal with this in the ladies' room as well (or leave it in the corridor).  Now I know what to expect and would prepare accordingly.   At the time, in my befuddled state, it was, "I'm following you for what reason?"  Again, when all is said and done, it's much better than the alternative.  I just didn't know.

[SteelCity Cruiser]

On Orion in February - checked in, got our room card and what not, boarded, directed to Star Theater where we were handed a glass of bubbly, given an individualized (we were the only 2 there at the time) 5 minute overview of what to do and where to go when notified and shown how to don the life vest then had a lovely chat with the young folks handling the on-boarding demonstration, finished our bubbly and headed to our room to drop off our stuff before lunch.

 

Easy peasy.