Cruising with Royal Caribbean is an exciting experience filled with fun activities, delicious food, and endless entertainment. However, there’s one aspect of the cruise that remains a necessary but sometimes overlooked safety procedure: the muster drill. Even though Royal Caribbean has significantly improved the process, the cruise line recently issued a key warning to remind passengers that one rule still applies — you must check in at your muster station.
In this blog post, we will dive deeper into the changes to Royal Caribbean’s muster drill, explore the reasons behind the warning, and offer helpful tips for passengers to ensure they complete this essential step of the cruise experience without any hiccups.
What Is the Muster Drill?
Before boarding any cruise, passengers are required to participate in a safety procedure known as the muster drill. This drill is a necessary step to ensure that all passengers know where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. Every cruise ship, including Royal Caribbean, follows international maritime law, which mandates that all passengers complete this drill before setting sail.
The drill typically involves gathering at a designated muster station — which could be either indoors or outdoors — and listening to a safety briefing. This can include instructions on how to properly use a life jacket, safety procedures in case of an emergency, and the location of life rafts. It’s a critical safety protocol designed to keep everyone safe in the rare event of an emergency at sea.
How Has the Muster Drill Changed?
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the muster drill was a bit of an ordeal. The ship would close down many of its activities, and passengers were required to physically report to their assigned muster stations. The process didn’t start until all passengers were present, which sometimes led to long waits. To make matters worse, some muster stations were located in areas with insufficient seating, making the experience uncomfortable for many.
With the introduction of “Muster 2.0,” Royal Caribbean revolutionized the process, making it more efficient and passenger-friendly. The new procedure allows passengers to watch the mandatory safety videos directly on their smartphones via the Royal Caribbean app. This can be done at their leisure on embarkation day. To confirm participation, passengers must check off their names after watching two of the three videos, while the third video — which plays the emergency horn sounds — is automatically marked as completed once played.
This new system allows passengers to avoid the large crowds and long waits that were part of the old muster drill. However, despite this significant improvement, one key part of the process remains unchanged: passengers still need to physically check in at their muster station to confirm that they understand the safety procedures.
Royal Caribbean’s Warning to Passengers
Despite the convenience of “Muster 2.0,” Royal Caribbean has issued a reminder to passengers that failing to check in at their muster station will not go unnoticed. In a lighthearted video shared on the cruise line’s X page (formerly Twitter), Royal Caribbean emphasized that passengers must complete the muster drill. The video humorously featured a crew member dancing while holding a life jacket at a muster station, with the caption: “Don’t be the person who the captain calls out by name.”
This humorous approach addresses a more serious issue: some passengers either forget to check in at their muster station, are unaware of the requirement, or simply neglect it. Sometimes, it’s due to passengers indulging in a few too many drinks or opting for a nap instead of completing the drill. However, skipping the muster drill is not an option.
When passengers fail to show up, the captain is forced to call out their names over the ship’s public address system, asking them to report to their muster station. This can be an embarrassing experience for those who’ve missed the drill, and it disrupts the cruise schedule as the ship cannot set sail until everyone has completed the muster drill.
Why Completing the Muster Drill Is Essential
Royal Caribbean takes the muster drill seriously for good reason. In the unlikely event of an emergency, knowing where to go and what to do could be the difference between life and death. The safety of everyone on board depends on full participation. While the process has been simplified, skipping the muster drill or forgetting to check in can cause significant delays and create unnecessary complications for the crew.
One passenger suggested a way to ensure everyone completes the drill on time: limiting access to amenities until the muster drill is completed. For example, a guest with the username “The_Jeffrow” commented on Royal Caribbean’s post, saying, “Why not set it up so that anything you use your Seapass card doesn’t work until you’ve been to your muster station? People would probably be better about going if they couldn’t get that first drink until they went.”
Interestingly, Carnival Cruise Line (Royal Caribbean’s major competitor) has already adopted a similar policy. Carnival does not allow passengers to order more than two alcoholic drinks before completing their muster drill. While Royal Caribbean has not yet implemented this rule, it’s clear that the cruise line is exploring ways to encourage full compliance with safety protocols.
Tips for Completing Your Muster Drill on Royal Caribbean
- Watch the Videos Early: As soon as you board the ship on embarkation day, take a few minutes to watch the muster drill videos in the Royal Caribbean app. Completing them early will free up your time to enjoy the rest of the day.
- Check Your Seapass Card: Your muster station is printed on your Seapass card, which doubles as your room key and onboard charge card. Make sure to check your card for the location and head there after watching the videos.
- Listen for Announcements: While the new process is simple, make sure to listen for any announcements related to the muster drill. If you’ve forgotten to check in at your station, the captain might call your name over the loudspeaker!
- Don’t Overindulge Before the Drill: If you’re planning to enjoy a drink or two on embarkation day, make sure to complete the muster drill first. That way, you won’t risk missing it if you decide to take a nap later.
Thoughts:
While Royal Caribbean’s “Muster 2.0” has made the muster drill much more convenient, it’s still crucial for passengers to follow through and check in at their assigned muster station. Failing to do so can lead to public announcements, delays, and potential safety risks. By taking a few minutes to complete this required step, passengers can relax and enjoy the rest of their cruise without interruption.
The next time you board a Royal Caribbean ship, remember: Don’t be the person whose name the captain calls out!
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