Topic: RCCL to Tighten Policy for Muster Drills

In response to the tragic disaster on Costa Concordia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has instructed all their ships to hold passenger muster drills on the day of departure.

RCCL’s owns popular brands like Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and Azamara Club Cruises.



An RCCL spokesman said “Typically, all RCCL vessels hold muster drills 30 to 60 minutes prior to departure on the day of embarkation or turnaround. On rare occasions, primarily due to very late departure times, the drill is held the following morning.“

RCCL is the first cruise company to make changes to their evacuation drills, since the Concordia accident, which occurred before some of the passengers could attend a muster drill.

The 700 passengers had embarked in Civitavecchia, Italy, about four hours before the ship capsized near the Tuscan island of Giglio.

Have you travelled with any cruise lines, which didn't hold the muster drill on the day of departure?

Having the safety drill prior to sailing wouldnt have prevented saving lives on Concordia would it?

good news, be reviewing all policies and procedures so feeling positive about my cruise in april

Whilst I totally agree that no ship should sail without a muster drill having taken place, the muster drill would not have helped in this situation. I sincerely hope that all cruise lines as a matter of urgency speak to all captains and officers that a repeat of this stupidity must never take place again.

I also urge people to carry on cruising.

QUOTE:

In response to the tragic disaster on Costa Concordia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has instructed all their ships to hold passenger muster drills on the day of departure.

RCCL’s owns popular brands like Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and Azamara Club Cruises.



An RCCL spokesman said “Typically, all RCCL vessels hold muster drills 30 to 60 minutes prior to departure on the day of embarkation or turnaround. On rare occasions, primarily due to very late departure times, the drill is held the following morning.“

RCCL is the first cruise company to make changes to their evacuation drills, since the Concordia accident, which occurred before some of the passengers could attend a muster drill.

The 700 passengers had embarked in Civitavecchia, Italy, about four hours before the ship capsized near the Tuscan island of Giglio.

Which cruiseline have you travelled with, which doesn’t hold muster drills on the day of departure?

On MSC circular tours of the west or east Med (usually 7 days ) muster drills are held at tha "Home" port . ie either Venice or Genoa. Embarkation also occurs at ports on the cruise such as Barcelona , Civitiveccia , Bari, Valletta , a bit like running a circular bus route. but still these passengers don't get a muster drill until they sail from either Genoa or Venice which may be day 6 of their 7 day cruise

QUOTE:

Whilst I totally agree that no ship should sail without a muster drill having taken place, the muster drill would not have helped in this situation. I sincerely hope that all cruise lines as a matter of urgency speak to all captains and officers that a repeat of this stupidity must never take place again.

I also urge people to carry on cruising.

Definately!

In this incident they were not able to use some life boats because the ship was on its side, you need gravity to lower them.

Well at least the cruiselines are acting somewhat proactively and not just sitting there as if nothing happened

QUOTE:

On MSC circular tours of the west or east Med (usually 7 days ) muster drills are held at tha "Home" port . ie either Venice or Genoa. Embarkation also occurs at ports on the cruise such as Barcelona , Civitiveccia , Bari, Valletta , a bit like running a circular bus route. but still these passengers don't get a muster drill until they sail from either Genoa or Venice which may be day 6 of their 7 day cruise

Yes I was on MSC SPLENDIDA for 6 days before we had a muster drill! Even then they did it at 5pm but told everyone we had to be back on board by 6pm = crazy!

QUOTE:

Having the safety drill prior to sailing wouldnt have prevented saving lives on Concordia would it?

There might have been less panic trying to find out where their muster station was ?