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Emuster ?


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24 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Royal trademarks “Emuster”

https://uspto.report/TM/88881222

There are 2 things I like about this.. #1 if it means getting to watch the Muster video in my room then yippie!! #2.. This trademark and the one Matt posted makes me hopeful Royal is getting ready to actually sail again soon. Boy do I hope They start sailing in July so I can go on my cruise lol.. 

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9 minutes ago, Leroyr55 said:

Am I missing something.  Where does is say it’s a safety video ? 

It doesn't.

My husband brought up a good point when we were talking about this. A lot of people can't just look at a map and know where to go. I'm one of them - the kinesthetic learner in me has to physically go there to know where something is. Maybe emuster would be some sort of digital check in at the muster station that has to be completed by day one. Two or three stations (for outside stations anyway) could be manned by one or two crew members. This way you could go for a couple minutes when convenient and not everyone would be packed in like sardines for 30 minutes. 

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2 hours ago, melmar02 said:

Maybe emuster would be some sort of digital check in at the muster station

That's exactly what I thought of first. I could see this being a two step process: 1. Either a document to be read or a video that needed to be watched prior to boarding (could even be part on the online check-in? or just at the physical check-in)

2. Process is complete when all members of the party check in at the muster station between, say 3 hours before sailing and 1 hour before sailing.  This part could be using your wrist band/room key badge.  If I recall from my last sailing, they already were scanning badges (or am I confusing this with the last conference I went to... Man I need a vacation!).

I would certainly favor this.  My frustration with my last trip on the Oasis was that muster happened just before launch.  We had one party member in a wheel chair and we could not get from the muster by the aft pool back to our room where we wanted to watch the sail-away from (we were in an aquatheater and we we really looking forward to that!).  

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My muster frustration was the young lady did not successfully scan one of our WOW bands. We were harassed for days and threatened with who knows what if we didn't show up to another one. Notes left in the room, phone messages, the TV account OMG and we were there and it was just a nightmare. I was not able to relax the first 2 days because it was crazy. I finally wrote a note on one of the letter threats advising them to check the cameras and advised them of our exact location. I described my outfit, I was feeling wild and wore a shirt that I realized way to late looked as if I was a gigantic DISCO BALL!  Good they can see that!! It must have worked because they finally left us alone. That whole ordeal was horrid. Squished in a pile of people, a long movie you could not see or hear and then "hey, come do it again" YIKES, much better after that was taken care of though. Stay safe and keep healthy all! 

ME looking at the message on the cabin TV Bring on EMUSTER please?

English Bulldog Media GIF by AFV Pets

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I’ve generally accepted the muster drill approach based on muscle memory.  By physically going there and standing for a period of time I’m subconsciously learning what to do in a moment of panic should an emergency occur.  

I suspect that concept is founded in the SOLAS methodology but that doesn’t mean it has to be.  I just don’t know if maritime regulators will approve a change that doesn’t involve mustering in place together.  

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As most have stated, if it means that I can watch the drill elsewhere I DEFINITELY agree with it.  I do not mind the muster when we get to go inside to a restaurant or other venue on the ship. But it gets rather aggravating when you are on the deck in the hot sun packed in like sardines and waiting for everyone to show up.  Longest one that I have participated in lasted over 30 minutes due to there being quite a few people that decided to show up late.  Being able to view my station in my room and not have to be shoulder to shoulder with everyone on deck in the hot sun would be a welcome change! 

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I believe "one" of a number of purposes for the muster is to provide & attend the  physically location, while in a state of calm, so passenger will be aware of the location & possible path to take, to reach that location, should a dire emergency present itself, in the mist of potential nervousness, panic, & chaos.

Just watching a video in a stateroom or other locations, not your design muster point, could be very counter productive, in a state of emergency, when people & young family memberss are scattered about, not quite sure where or how to maneuver to their designated muster location...again, in the mist of possible nervousness, panic, & chaos.

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On 4/26/2020 at 11:22 AM, Zambia-Zaire said:

I believe "one" of a number of purposes for the muster is to provide & attend the  physically location, while in a state of calm, so passenger will be aware of the location & possible path to take, to reach that location, should a dire emergency present itself, in the mist of potential nervousness, panic, & chaos.

Just watching a video in a stateroom or other locations, not your design muster point, could be very counter productive, in a state of emergency, when people & young family memberss are scattered about, not quite sure where or how to maneuver to their designated muster location...again, in the mist of possible nervousness, panic, & chaos.

I haven't gone to the actual muster station for the last few cruises... starting in September 2018 on the Empress to Cuba. They have been sending me to the theater or some other location.

In February 2017, I reported to my muster station on the Grandeur in Baltimore when a hail storm began. We were being pelted with ice... So, they moved us inside to explain the process. ?

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On 4/26/2020 at 11:22 AM, Zambia-Zaire said:

I believe "one" of a number of purposes for the muster is to provide & attend the  physically location, while in a state of calm, so passenger will be aware of the location & possible path to take, to reach that location, should a dire emergency present itself, in the mist of potential nervousness, panic, & chaos.

Just watching a video in a stateroom or other locations, not your design muster point, could be very counter productive, in a state of emergency, when people & young family memberss are scattered about, not quite sure where or how to maneuver to their designated muster location...again, in the mist of possible nervousness, panic, & chaos.

I tend to agree with you, which it seems most don’t, look if I am on a 5 to 9 day cruise, that 20 to 30 minutes to maybe save one of our lives seems very minor, do I like standing their in the sun waiting, of course not, but i actually would rather be outside for a few minutes than inside in case of an emergency and not know where to go. I tell people that go with us on a cruise for the first time, after the drill is over it’s sun, fun and excursions for a week. Just my opinion, but I can give up a few minutes before the fun starts.

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I am inclined to think something along @mathbees proposal makes sense.  Require viewing of a safety video at checkin or in your cabin, and then a physical visit to your muster station where you get signed in, but then are free to leave.  It helps reduce crowds and still requires people to at least physically go to their muster station.  Would that have the same effect on automatic response as spending 20 or so minutes there?  Who knows?  In my experience, generally speaking any safety training passengers/amateurs have received prior to getting underway goes right out the window as soon as sirens start sounding or shoes start getting wet.  It's normally the professionalism and training of the crew that makes things work.  

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On 4/25/2020 at 8:51 PM, Neesa said:

My muster frustration was the young lady did not successfully scan one of our WOW bands. We were harassed for days and threatened with who knows what if we didn't show up to another one. Notes left in the room, phone messages, the TV account OMG and we were there and it was just a nightmare. I was not able to relax the first 2 days because it was crazy. I finally wrote a note on one of the letter threats advising them to check the cameras and advised them of our exact location. I described my outfit, I was feeling wild and wore a shirt that I realized way to late looked as if I was a gigantic DISCO BALL!  Good they can see that!! It must have worked because they finally left us alone. That whole ordeal was horrid. Squished in a pile of people, a long movie you could not see or hear and then "hey, come do it again" YIKES, much better after that was taken care of though. Stay safe and keep healthy all! 

ME looking at the message on the cabin TV Bring on EMUSTER please?

English Bulldog Media GIF by AFV Pets

 It seems we always get the note re: towels, last 3 cruises . I would not mind if we  had to check in at the muster station and watch the video in the cabin and sign off. At least we don´t have to stand out side, did that on the Liberty.

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Without knowing how EMUSTER is intended to work its hard to say for sure but i can see some ways it could definitely work and be a great change.

Watch a video before the cruise, during embarkation or after boarding ... could all be options.

Go to your muster station, scan you card at a check in terminal at the station to "prove you are you" and that you "found your muster location" ... click the acknowledgement that you watched the video, understand what to do in an emergency, are really you, etc. and then move on to enjoy your cruise.

Seems easy and at least as useful as the current model ...

 

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2 hours ago, jticarruthers said:

Without knowing how EMUSTER is intended to work its hard to say for sure but i can see some ways it could definitely work and be a great change.

Watch a video before the cruise, during embarkation or after boarding ... could all be options.

Go to your muster station, scan you card at a check in terminal at the station to "prove you are you" and that you "found your muster location" ... click the acknowledgement that you watched the video, understand what to do in an emergency, are really you, etc. and then move on to enjoy your cruise.

Seems easy and at least as useful as the current model ...

 

Unless the required check-in at the muster station is monitored by a crew member, what's to stop somebody from checking in their entire party. Goes counter to the thought that everyone needs to know where to go. Less of an issue with younger children as they will (theoretically) always be with either adults from their group or at Adventure Ocean and be escorted.

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59 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said:

Unless the required check-in at the muster station is monitored by a crew member, what's to stop somebody from checking in their entire party. Goes counter to the thought that everyone needs to know where to go. Less of an issue with younger children as they will (theoretically) always be with either adults from their group or at Adventure Ocean and be escorted.

Lets be honest, half the people there are already drunk and or disinterested enough that they couldnt find the muster station again anyway.

I do see your point though so yes, have a crewmember there to make sure the picture that pops up when you scan your card matches your face.

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  • 3 weeks later...

we used the ap last fall, not bad either one works for us. I still would still like them to do an emuster, 1. have RCI employee check you in AT the muster station (ea passenger, not one person for a group) 2. Watch video in cabin or on phone, pad or computer.  Though you need to find a way to verify everyone watched the video. LOL

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7 minutes ago, Jmccaffrey said:

I bet the is Muster Dill on your room TV due to the Covid 19

Possible, but any muster changes have to be approved through SOLAS and the relevant authorities such as USCG in the US.  

The logic of physically going to your muster station was on the basis of memory during a crisis when the brain isn't working right.  Authorities that govern ship safety have little interest if cruise lines sink or swim financially, as long as they do it safely.  Foreign companies have little power to lobby for leniency on slacking international maritime safety regulations that are very long standing.

I think it's more likely that there will be staggered muster drills with fewer guests at each session but I'm just guessing with little substance to back my claim.  

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12 hours ago, livin-the-life said:

hope it can be done in cabin...i understand the importance of the muster, but the last 2 years of cruises we have been on were either in a dining roo, or somewhere on the promonade deck..so, the argument of "physically" being by the lifeboat no longer stands..

I disagree that the argument doesn't stand. The muster station you are assigned is where you are to go in the event of an emergency. If that happens to be right by your lifeboat - great.

On the larger ships, there isn't room for everyone to gather on the deck so some assigned stations are at large indoor locations on the correct deck. THAT is where you will go in an emergency, so you need to know where to be.

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18 hours ago, livin-the-life said:

hope it can be done in cabin...i understand the importance of the muster, but the last 2 years of cruises we have been on were either in a dining roo, or somewhere on the promonade deck..so, the argument of "physically" being by the lifeboat no longer stands..

 

Its NOT an argument, it is an international maritime requirement to have the drill at your physical location.  Has nothing to do with where your lifeboat is, and everything to do with you knowing where you are to show up.  Until SOLAS changes the requirement, Muster drills will not change dramatically.

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Guest Assembly or Muster drills are also performed to support crew behavior and training.  Have repeated the drill countless times the crew know exactly what they are supposed to do and where they are supposed to do it from the crew checking cabins are empty to the crew guiding guests in hallways to the crew taking roll at the assembly point.  All of this is considered by the maritime regulators.  

There are times when the USCG (or similar authority in other regions) may choose randomly to be present during a guest assembly drill to observe the execution of the drill to validate the ship is following the documented procedure properly.  

I not saying the regulations can't change but it's not within any cruise line's power to change them without working through the maritime regulations and possibly seeking recertification for their revised process.  They can't just decide to start playing a video on a cabin TV on their own and call that good enough.  

Ships know the existing process is well loathed by everyone.  They follow the requirements very strictly because if they were caught not doing so they could be stopped from leaving port.  If it were as simple as just choosing to play a video in guest cabins they would have dispensed with assembly drills long ago.  They can't without approval from the authorities.  

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I thought of an interesting twist to this...  They could start with a video in your room that displays a QR code for the app (everyone in the cabin would have to scan saying they watched the video).  Then you have to go to your muster station and scan a QR code there, too (again, all would have to be present and scan... they could even have it set up so that staff checked that the face matches for security purposes).  This completes the eMuster drill... But it launches a shipwide scavenger hunt.  Each QR code gives you new clues to another location (also with QR codes). 

A couple of points, at least from my point of view... 1) I would be able to hear and understand the video.  I often have trouble hearing the shipwide announcements, especially in open areas. 2) This would make the eMuster fun for people.  3) It would give them validation that people are completing the eMuster

But, as @twangster mentioned, it would need to be approved through the powers that be.  One can hope.  Especially that the prize at the end was a drink of the day... ?

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15 hours ago, mathbees said:

I thought of an interesting twist to this...  They could start with a video in your room that displays a QR code for the app (everyone in the cabin would have to scan saying they watched the video).  Then you have to go to your muster station and scan a QR code there, too (again, all would have to be present and scan... they could even have it set up so that staff checked that the face matches for security purposes).  This completes the eMuster drill... But it launches a shipwide scavenger hunt.  Each QR code gives you new clues to another location (also with QR codes). 

A couple of points, at least from my point of view... 1) I would be able to hear and understand the video.  I often have trouble hearing the shipwide announcements, especially in open areas. 2) This would make the eMuster fun for people.  3) It would give them validation that people are completing the eMuster

But, as @twangster mentioned, it would need to be approved through the powers that be.  One can hope.  Especially that the prize at the end was a drink of the day... ?

Exactly my thought. 

Just like you can e-sign waivers from your cabin TV... have a way to sign that you have watched the video... then you have to go check in at your muster station and scan in individually/in-person. Perhaps in a certain time frame from watching the video? 

But I agree with a lot of the comments above... you usually cant hear or understand due to the crowds during muster. If the main point is to know WHERE to go... just prove you know where to go. Done and done. But alas... its never that simple. lol

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Several years ago, I listened to the interview of a survivor from the Costa Concordia on Cruise Radio. Very interesting. I wonder how (well) the evacuations mirrored the muster drills, sounds like it didn't go exactly as it should. I can't imagine ANY coordination or survivors had they had an e-muster. 

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/cruise-radio/e/62261141 @Matt, didn't you do this interview? 

 

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