Life Boat Drill

[kittygrace]

Ok people, somebody must know the real answer for me here. I'm NOT GOING TO THE LIFE BOAT DRILL! What will they do to me if I don't? I go into a full blown panic attack everytime I do one of those things, so this time I'm really, seriously considering just skipping it. I mean what would they really do if anything? Has anybody ever skipped one before? What happened? My dh is a little panicky himself.... at the thought of me not going. HELP!

[SeattleCruiselover]

Depends on what you mean by "do to you." They will come looking for you and escort you to the drill. If you are "lucky" enough to elude them the first time, they will advise you that you need to report to the make up drill.

 

I suppose that you could try explaining your predicament to the reception desk immediately upon boarding and see if they would schedule a private drill for you but, one way or the other, it's a SOLAS requirement that every passenger attend a drill within 24 hours of sailing.

[salty dingo]

If you get a panic attack from a life boat drill, what are you going to do in 30 foot seas? What will you do when your insides liquefy when you get norovirus. Have you really thought this cruise thing through?

 

The question is not about skipping the drill, which is stupid. The question is if you are in a state where you can cruise at all?

[bluesea777]

It's mandatory. The lifejackets have cabin number on them so officiers at each muster station checks off each attendee on list. The muster drills will not be dispersed until everyone has been accounted for. If you don't show up, they'll come looking for you and call for you, and other pax will be pissed off with having to wait for you to show up.

 

Kitty, is it your first cruise? The muster drills are nothing to worry about - the pax are taught what to do if there is an emergency and you'll be happy knowing where to go and what to do.

 

It takes place 30 mins before sailing and lasts a few mins - if all pax show up in time.

 

Just think about this ... if the drill is for REAL, what would you do??!! If going to a muster drill really scares you what would you do if the drill is for real? Think about the MV Explorer ...

 

Anyway, here's a picture ...

[DMRick]

We were docked next to a Disney cruise over Thanksgiving. As people were getting off and going to tours, we saw a group of about 20 people looking longingly over the rail, with life jackets on as they were being brought somewhere. I talked with someone from the Dis boat while waiting in a line in town, and I mentioned what I saw. He said he was one of them. He said he couldn't go on his ships tour, because he ducked the drill, and had to take it the next morning. So, I guess that's one thing they can do.

The worst for me, is when people don't show up, the rest of us have to wait and wait for them to get started, while they wait for those who aren't going to show up, or who are late.

 

 

Depends on what you mean by "do to you." They will come looking for you and escort you to the drill. If you are "lucky" enough to elude them the first time, they will advise you that you need to report to the make up drill.

 

I suppose that you could try explaining your predicament to the reception desk immediately upon boarding and see if they would schedule a private drill for you but, one way or the other, it's a SOLAS requirement that every passenger attend a drill within 24 hours of sailing.

[Cosmopolitan]

Ok people, somebody must know the real answer for me here. I'm NOT GOING TO THE LIFE BOAT DRILL! What will they do to me if I don't? I go into a full blown panic attack everytime I do one of those things, so this time I'm really, seriously considering just skipping it. I mean what would they really do if anything? Has anybody ever skipped one before? What happened? My dh is a little panicky himself.... at the thought of me not going. HELP!

 

When we first started cruising a few years ago, we were told it was mandatory and if you didn't attend you would have to go to a drill the next day.

 

I'm not CERTAIN, but I believe that now if you miss the drill, you can watch the procedure on your stateroom TV.

Our last drill in October had several missing passengers.

 

I would go the the desk or ask an officer when you board.

Anyone who has ever had a panic attack would certainly understand.

 

Good luck.

[Don Haynes]

All of us feel for you and the feeling of not being free. However, all of the restaurants and bars will be closed, so you will have to hide in your cabin. I look at the muster drill as an opportunity to meet new people, possibly the persons in the cabin besides mine. Many times we have dined and done shore excursions with them. Its a positive, not a negative.

 

If you haven't got the time to do the muster drill, I won't help you if there is an emergency. Don't ask me where to go, I won't have the time to tell you as I'm on my way there.

 

What can they do to you? I know of one captain who makes those who don't go wear their life savers the next day all day...... Its a sign of their arrogance. If you don't wear it, he kicks you off the ship at the first port of call. Say goodbye vacation.

 

Remember, legally, you are leaving the United States, and are at the mercy of the Captain who is on the high seas in international waters judge and jury.

[Ms belp]

Ok people, somebody must know the real answer for me here. I'm NOT GOING TO THE LIFE BOAT DRILL! What will they do to me if I don't? I go into a full blown panic attack everytime I do one of those things, so this time I'm really, seriously considering just skipping it. I mean what would they really do if anything? Has anybody ever skipped one before? What happened? My dh is a little panicky himself.... at the thought of me not going. HELP!

 

You're right, you need help. If a muster drill causes you to have a "full blown panic attack" you should forget about cruising. Or, get drugs that they have for that sort of thing. I use them when I get on a plane. To me, that's scary!:eek:

[TonyFred]

Dont go on the cruise if you cant stand up to a darn muster drill. I have no sympathy for you at all and would not want to be on the same boat as you.

[Bigdog49]

You might want to try and attend the drill and if becomes an issue leave. It is one more chance to overcome the panic attacks. What are you going to do if there is a real emergancy! I think you may need the practice more then most.

 

For the most part on NCL ships most people at drills are sitting in the theaters or restaurants.

[Cruisin Together]

My husband always hides in the bathroom. The drills that are held inside are not so bad as you just sit there and wait for it to be over.

[Ms belp]

Your husband, a man I presume, "hides in the bathroom". Why, for heaven's sake"

[nicknack]

Dont go on the cruise if you cant stand up to a darn muster drill. I have no sympathy for you at all and would not want to be on the same boat as you.

 

The OP stated she did not want to go because because of some emotional disturbance, not because it was inconvenient to her. Your lack of "sympathy" at her plea for help, says more about you than her.

[OldBaldGuy]

"...other pax will be pissed off with having to wait for you to show up..."

 

Indeed they will!

 

My wife is like that about flying, so whenever we have to fly she has her dr give her a few happy pills to take before boarding. She still doesn't like it, but can handle it. I would suggest you have your doctor give you a few, one for the drill, then save the others in case there should be a real emergency...

[ohioNCLcruiser]

At least go to your station a few min before the drill starts, check in and see how you feel and if you are sick just tell them but at least go and check in.

[bunting]

At least go to your station a few min before the drill starts, check in and see how you feel and if you are sick just tell them but at least go and check in.

 

 

Excellent advice

[TonyFred]

If she has that much of a problem with a simple muster drill, SHE HAS NO BUSINESS CRUISING. PERIOD.

Her statement was "I WILL NOT ATTEND THE DRILL".

In my opinion, anyone with that much of a problem has no business on a boat which can have problems while out at sea. Fires, listing, hitting other vessels, etc etc DO happen. Someone who cant handle a simple drill to find out what to do if something like that occurs, should NOT get on a ship. She will totally freak out if a real emergency happens.

People should know their limitations.

Same thing with the wuss hiding in the bathroom during the drill.

There is no excuse for that. STAY OFF OF THE SHIP.

Sorry if you dont like my opinion, but I have a right to it.

[nicknack]

If she has that much of a problem with a simple muster drill, SHE HAS NO BUSINESS CRUISING. PERIOD.

Her statement was "I WILL NOT ATTEND THE DRILL".

In my opinion, anyone with that much of a problem has no business on a boat which can have problems while out at sea. Fires, listing, hitting other vessels, etc etc DO happen. Someone who cant handle a simple drill to find out what to do if something like that occurs, should NOT get on a ship. She will totally freak out if a real emergency happens.

People should know their limitations.

Same thing with the wuss hiding in the bathroom during the drill.

There is no excuse for that. STAY OFF OF THE SHIP.

Sorry if you dont like my opinion, but I have a right to it.

So, let's chop off her head now, before we offer some help and advice that she's seeking.

[taxmantoo]

So, let's chop off her head now, before we offer some help and advice that she's seeking.

 

The OP was not looking for advice at all. She very clearly stated I AM NOT GOING TO THE LIFE BOAT DRILL ! What she was looking for was someone to tell her it was OK and that nothing would happen to her. Well IT ISN'T OK and she should be made aware that IT ISN'T OK ...

[salty dingo]

So if the ship is sinking, will the OP go to the lifeboats then? Or would she rather stay in her cabin and avoid the panic attack?

 

Or if she could do it in a real emergency, why can't she do it for the drill? Too inconvenient? Too uncomfortable? Maybe it should be mandatory for everyone except people who are emotionally challenged.

[Don Haynes]

A cruise ship is a target for terrorists. Ask the passengers on the Achillo Lauro? Several passengers died in that incident, some in wheelchairs. Last week Iranian idiots flashed and dropped white packages in the Straits of Hormuz. I know the Caribbean and Mexico don't have many Arabs or Muslims, but accidents and fires do occur. I am awfully shy myself, but as I said before, I look upon the opportunity to meet people at the muster station as a positive, not a negative. While doing so is crowded, so was the line to get aboard the ship, and so was the line to board an airliner.

[JWestShuh]

Um, be careful Don...you are starting to sound like a biggot.

[zqvol]

At least go to your station a few min before the drill starts, check in and see how you feel and if you are sick just tell them but at least go and check in.

 

This is the advice to take to heart. Remember that this poster is a current crew member.

[kittygrace]

Thanks for all the advice and support (?!?)! I had no idea people would be so willing to toss me to the sharks for asking about a life boat drill. For the record I've been on many cruises and attended every life boat drill. I will be attending this one too. I've been in gale force winds with 40' seas on a repositioning cruise from Hawaii to Vancouver, no problem at all. Sat in the "crow's nest" lounge and watched deck chairs and garbage cans go flying overboard. I do just great in an actual crisis, as many panic sufferers do, as I'm focused on the emergency and not on my panic. I love cruising and I won't let something like a life boat drill keep me from it. I will take the professionals advice and let the crew person running the drill know about my situation and I will stand in the front line instead of letting myself get squished into the back row behind a bunch of big mouth drunks (where I always seem to end up). And to those of you who couldn't think of one single constructive or supportive thing to say, I hope you're not on my ship either as I'm pretty sure you'd be the kind of person that would push, shove and trample people to get yourself to the front of the line to be the first off. To the rest of you, thanks for your suggestions and I'm even more determined now to beat this thing. Thanks.

[amelie1980]

Whan I was on the Gem for New Year the Drill last about 5 minutes and was held indoor, in the Grand pacifi Dining room for me. We just sat with our life vest and listening some instructions and that was it. My boyfriend didn't come; he was sleeping in the room. When I gave my presence the employee ask me if we were two and I said yes, so my boyfriend never had to do the drill. I disagree with him but what else can I doo.