Thread: Let's talk about the emergency drill

One of the things I have noticed over the years of cruising is the lack of interest by passengers during the emergency drill. I have also read the disregard a lot of cruisers attach to it on cruise boards.

What is your opinion about these drills?

They are a necessary evil, but let's hurry up and get it over with.

They are a huge PITA. I will do anything I can to get out of them.

Ehhh, I can take 'em or leave 'em.

They are important! I listen to and fully participate in them.

I for one think they are damn important and listen and participate like I have never been through one before............you never know.

Theres an emergency drill?

Ever since I was on a ship where the engine room caught fire and we were dead in the water so to speak til a tug boat come tow us back into port, i've certainly realized the importance of the muster drill!

I'll go just to see where I have to go to get to my muster station, but I hate having to stand there listening to them explain how to put on the life jackets and all that.

I think it's important....you never know when soemthing will happen...The sinking of the Titanic proved that and lends itself to many of the reasons that the muster drill is conducted the way it is today!

Ok, now let me answer my own question.

As an old sailor, who served on a few Navy ships, I know the importance of "drills" in general. Believe me there is nothing quite as frightening as a fire at sea.

These drills are not done to inconvenience us, they are conducted to instruct us. Like Jim, I participate in each and every one like it is my first. Not picking on you DWXII, but I want to once again see just how it is I put on the life vest.

Some of these drills are informative, some are not and for that the cruiseline ought to be fined big time. One just never knows when and emergency/disaster will come.

As I stated in the OP, I have noticed the lack of interest in these drills by most cruisers. I do not mind the disinterested people as much as those who think the muster is just one more excuse for a party and show up with a drink in hand, already half in the bag. I am also not too keen on those who do anything to get out of the muster (hide in their rooms, whatever) . . . . . it is these people who would be screaming first and loudest if a real emergency were to occur.

It is 15 minutes out of your cruise, yet it is the most important 15 minutes in some respects of the cruise. Pay attention, or if you are not really interested, just put up with it quietly, so those of us who are interested can learn what needs to be learnt.

We have always taken them very seriously. And we have had a couple of fires on ships.

AND HAL also takes life drill serioulsy. Everyone is reuqired to attend. And if you don't attend you get a note in your cabin and yhou have to report the next day at a certain to do the life boat drill.

HAL does send some crew members to try and check lounges and those areas for people. We even saw a disgruntled young lady being escorted by an officer to a life boat drill.

Originally Posted by DarkWarriorXII

I'll go just to see where I have to go to get to my muster station, but I hate having to stand there listening to them explain how to put on the life jackets and all that.

I agree. I do think they are important, but after so many cruises, it does get a tad bit repititious. I know how to don a life jacket, but I think finding out where your muster station is and how to get there from your cabin is a good idea!

It's a must. Not because I don't know how to put on a life jacket, but because each ship is a bit different. On our last cruise, the muster station was nowhere near where I thought it would be, so it was good to find it on the first day. You never know what can happen. Fires at sea are scary to even think about, let alone experience. That's why it irks me to see idiots tossing cigarette butts overboard, against the rules.

And you never know when you'll hit an iceberg.