Donny Downer Here!

[Moby Dick]

I really hate to be a Donny Downer here.  But, on my last cruise, Ovation of the Seas, departed Seattle on May 13, 2022, there were about 233 people that, by sail away time, had not gone to their Muster Station to be checked in, a very easy process.  This cause the ship to depart pier 91 about an hour and a half late.  These people appropriate, vote, drive, breath my air.  

I have a suggestion for Royal Caribbean and made it to them, at about 30 minutes prior to departure time, cut off their key cards to all of those that haven't checked in at their Muster Station.  Make sure that if they are in a bar partying rather than being adults, they can't party anymore, locked out of their cabin, etc.  

At about 30 minutes past departure, my wife and I got into an elevator and there was another couple already in the elevator.  As we entered, the Captain or some other official, made the announcement that XXX passengers have yet to check-in at their Muster Station.  My wife and I made comments to each other that it is ridiculous that people can't follow simple and basic instructions and they are inconveniencing thousands of others.  The other couple, who were obviously well on their way to intoxication, laughed and said that it seems that they may have not done that yet and need to figure out where to go.    We presented them with a great big, "WOW", the elevator doors opened and we left with a final comment, "you're a little late and inconveniencing thousands of other passengers, crew, pier staff/dock workers, and it isn't funny".  They looked stunned that someone would talk to them that way, after all, they are entitled, aren't they!

Thanks for allowing my vent!

[CruisingNewb]

There is ABSOLUTELY no reason not to complete the Muster Drill and report to the Muster Station.  There are reminders EVERYWHERE.  Holding up thousands of other peoples' vacation because you chose to ignore mandatory muster protocol is disrespectful.

[smokeybandit]

They should just make it that you cannot sit by the pool, eat lunch or buy any drinks until you do the muster drill.

[Vancity Cruiser]

58 minutes ago, 10-42 said:

I have a suggestion for Royal Caribbean and made it to them, at about 30 minutes prior to departure time, cut off their key cards to all of those that haven't checked in at their Muster Station.  Make sure that if they are in a bar partying rather than being adults, they can't party anymore, locked out of their cabin, etc. 

I think this is a fantastic idea!

[OCSC Mike]

The people who don't report to muster are the downers, not the OP!

[DunkelBierJay]

Idea...consider issuing SeaPass cards at muster...the con of this is how do they staff that...

Idea...open the muster stations right as boarding begins...it opened a full hour after I boarded my last cruise...have signage making it the first requirement once you board...

Otherwise, it seems like this is a characteristic of return to cruising.

[Snowchaser]

I agree, they even tell you as soon as you board to make your way to the muster check.  We pulled out of port on SoS and there was still over 100 people who had not done the check in.

I will say though there may be one offs, my older parents completed their muster check at the same time we did and at the end of the day had a letter on their door to complete said check even though they had.  My mother was actually a little stressed out about it as she is definitely a rule follower.

[TXcruzer]

Thee have been reports of some ships not allowing sea pass purchases until muster has been completed 

[Moby Dick]

12 minutes ago, Snowchaser said:

I agree, they even tell you as soon as you board to make your way to the muster check.  We pulled out of port on SoS and there was still over 100 people who had not done the check in.

I will say though there may be one offs, my older parents completed their muster check at the same time we did and at the end of the day had a letter on their door to complete said check even though they had.  My mother was actually a little stressed out about it as she is definitely a rule follower.

Yes, systems aren't flawless.  However, 233?  I think not.  Being 70+, I fully understand the stress of being a rule follower and being accused of not following it/them.  But, that doesn't excuse those that, probably, live their lives trying to buck the system.  I feel for your mom!  She's not the problem! 

[Moby Dick]

13 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

Thee have been reports of some ships not allowing sea pass purchases until muster has been completed 

I applaud that!

[SaveTheSharks]

Couldn't agree more with the OP.

It surprises me at the growing number of people who have a sense of entitlement, lack accountability, and a disregard for the consideration of others. It doesn't help that in many cases, rules rarely get enforced; and therefore no consequence in their actions are felt.

[Moby Dick]

8 minutes ago, SaveTheSharks said:

Couldn't agree more with the OP.

It surprises me at the growing number of people who have a sense of entitlement, lack accountability, and a disregard for the consideration of others. It doesn't help that in many cases, rules rarely get enforced; and therefore no consequence in their actions are felt.

YES!

[Moby Dick]

10 minutes ago, SaveTheSharks said:

 It doesn't help that in many cases, rules rarely get enforced; and therefore no consequence in their actions are felt.

Especially with the service/hospitality industry.  The squeaky wheel always gets the grease and the quiet ones just keep chugging along.

[Pattycruise]

There are not clear signs when boarding the ship (at least not on the ones I have been on)
Maybe they need a bracelet system for this....put the bracelet on those who show up to muster.  Then we can all see who has not done it and they can be encouraged to get it done.
On Freedom they had crew asking for your set sail pass when you entered the ship and they told you where to go for your muster scan in.
On Oasis they finally made announcements in various languages.  (500+ had not done muster)  BTW, you cannot hear those announcements clearly when in Central Park and other parts of the ship.
Half the people on the ship  have sailed before and are assuming muster is the old way and the other half of the passengers are  brand new to sailing and have no clue.
Just as the "healthy sail" pop up shows in the app every time i open the app maybe they need to do something like that with muster.  Or prohibit booking shows or purchase of drinks until muster is done.  
 

[Carrie22]

1 hour ago, TXcruzer said:

Thee have been reports of some ships not allowing sea pass purchases until muster has been completed 

This is ideal so long as they are ready to go as soon as the first passengers are on board. Currently my first priority onboard is either lunch or a drink (or both). If I have to muster first, that's great, but I'd be frustrated if I can't get a drink for an hour while they get set up.

[Moby Dick]

1 hour ago, Pattycruise said:

There are not clear signs when boarding the ship (at least not on the ones I have been on)
Maybe they need a bracelet system for this....put the bracelet on those who show up to muster.  Then we can all see who has not done it and they can be encouraged to get it done.
On Freedom they had crew asking for your set sail pass when you entered the ship and they told you where to go for your muster scan in.
On Oasis they finally made announcements in various languages.  (500+ had not done muster)  BTW, you cannot hear those announcements clearly when in Central Park and other parts of the ship.
Half the people on the ship  have sailed before and are assuming muster is the old way and the other half of the passengers are  brand new to sailing and have no clue.
Just as the "healthy sail" pop up shows in the app every time i open the app maybe they need to do something like that with muster.  Or prohibit booking shows or purchase of drinks until muster is done.  
 

As stated earlier, I'm 70+, have cruised a lot for a couple of decades.  I know the old system, I know about the new system because I was told, over and over and over again about what the new system is all about and how it works through many venues, social media (this one, Facebook, and others), Royal Caribbean site(s), and my TA's site(s).  I could be wrong, BUT, I find it impossible to not be informed of the new system.  Also, if +/- 5,000 people get it right, what happened to the 233 or so?  Just careless disregard for common courtesy.  

Announcement were made continuously long before the sail away.  I heard crew verbally telling passenger to remember to go to their Muster Stations. 

EDITED IN:  Forgot to mention:  The Cabin TVs are on and have the channel on that give the proper instructions!  Sorry, I don't believe that there are too many acceptable excuses.

Maybe there are a few things that Royal could do a little better to inform the public/passengers about the boarding system and all that it entails.   However, I do not believe that we should inconvenience those, the very very vast majority of people, that seek out the proper procedure, and/or listen/read all procedural literature/media, and follow it. 

[Va4fam]

We did the old system, we learned the new system.  It's not hard or very time consuming.

Royal team has done a great job of directing us to muster stations as soon as we get on board. 

Would hate to return to the old system.

[Moby Dick]

24 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Would hate to return to the old system.

Meeeeeeee toooooooo!

[Done]

2 hours ago, 10-42 said:

Especially with the service/hospitality industry.  The squeaky wheel always gets the grease and the quiet ones just keep chugging along.

Hey 10-42, it is a great picture but IMHO too large for a post signature. 

[LovetoCruise87]

The muster drill CANNOT get any easier than it is right now!! Those individuals simply care only about themselves!!

[CruiseGus]

3 hours ago, DunkelBierJay said:

Idea...open the muster stations right as boarding begins...it opened a full hour after I boarded my last cruise...have signage making it the first requirement once you board...

This has been the case on almost every sailing i have been on with the new process, if your on of the first ones on they do not have the muster stations open yet for around an hour or so.

[Moby Dick]

17 minutes ago, Toby said:

Hey 10-42, it is a great picture but IMHO too large for a post signature. 

Probably is!

[Done]

Keep it if you like it.  My scroll wheel finger on my mouse could use the work   With all the other crap going on in this world this a non-issue!

 

[Moby Dick]

13 minutes ago, Toby said:

Keep it if you like it.  My scroll wheel finger on my mouse could use the work   With all the other crap going on in this world this a non-issue!

 

Not to sound like I'm attacking you, not my intent at all.  But, I was wondering if you have said the same thing to those that list 30, 40, 50, or so past cruises and 20 or 30 future cruises.  Some signatures are as long or longer than my picture.  Just say'in.

[Ampurp85]

Ugh I had this happen on all my sailings. On my Oct 2021 Allure we had about 3000pax, Halloween sailing, and at 3ish there were still almost 600 who hadn't done it. We were supposed to depart around 4:30 and it was still over 300pax left. Subsequent cruises had the same issues. People get on and drink then don't seem to function or care. 

There is no excuse, your muster info is on the app, on the TV and within your cruise documents. We can't hear the captain clearly often, but you know you have to do the muster, even a first-time cruiser. In regard to safety, sometimes people need to be called on their b.s.

[Matt]

1 hour ago, Toby said:

Hey 10-42, it is a great picture but IMHO too large for a post signature. 

You can hide anyone's signature (or all signatures) by clicking top right corner of their signature

 

[FoxboroCruiser]

2 hours ago, Matt said:

You can hide anyone's signature (or all signatures) by clicking top right corner of their signature

 

That’s a game changer!  Thanks very much for pointing that out. Just resolved 1 of my top 5 pet peeves and frustrations on this forum.

[Moby Dick]

2 hours ago, Matt said:

You can hide anyone's signature (or all signatures) by clicking top right corner of their signature

While I can understand some folks frustration, I like signatures.  It sometimes says a lot about someone.  It can also say nothing about someone.  But, it's, for me, a good viewing and/or read.  

[bobroo]

I do not understand why passengers go though a very strict and orderly process to get onboard and yet once a passenger gets their Seapass zapped that very first time; then they are allowed to scatter.

If there was only one more step where passengers were required (if not escorted) to their muster station after those first footsteps onboard, then 100% compliance would be guaranteed.

After all, the gangway you embark the ship on is very, very, very likely to be the same deck as your muster station.

 

No drink packages, no bathroom breaks, no Sorrentos—until AFTER you’ve reported to your muster station.

[FoxboroCruiser]

10 minutes ago, 10-42 said:

While I can understand some folks frustration, I like signatures.  It sometimes says a lot about someone.  It can also say nothing about someone.  But, it's, for me, a good viewing and/or read.  

Some are just way too long and when they are frequent/ very active members is gets tedious. Agree most are helpful, even entertaining but some are just poor netiquette.

[Moby Dick]

34 minutes ago, bobroo said:

I do not understand why passengers go though a very strict and orderly process to get onboard and yet once a passenger gets their Seapass zapped that very first time; then they are allowed to scatter.

If there was only one more step where passengers were required (if not escorted) to their muster station after those first footsteps onboard, then 100% compliance would be guaranteed.

After all, the gangway you embark the ship on is very, very, very likely to be the same deck as your muster station.

 

No drink packages, no bathroom breaks, no Sorrentos—until AFTER you’ve reported to your muster station.

Oh, I believe they are getting 100% compliance with the current system.  Just not 100% compliance by sail away time.  Which is a shame!  I agree with, "No drink packages, no bathroom breaks, no Sorrentos—until AFTER you’ve reported to your muster station".  But, only just before, about an hour or half hour before departure time.  People should still be able to experience the initial experience and exploration of being on the ship for the first little while.  As much as I have cruised, I still like to explore and experience the ship before anything else official.  Now, that doesn't stand for those that show up just minutes before the departure time, of course.

[USFFrank]

I don't recall this on my cruises this past November or January, but on my cruise on Explorer of the Seas last week when we went to our muster station we were given a wristband to wear after checking in and we're told we could remove it once we set sail. I would think that was done so the crew members could see who went and got checked in. After a certain time any crew member who sees someone without a wristband would tell them they have to watch the muster video (if they haven't already) and then report to their muster station.

[Moby Dick]

14 minutes ago, USFFrank said:

I don't recall this on my cruises this past November or January, but on my cruise on Explorer of the Seas last week when we went to our muster station we were given a wristband to wear after checking in and we're told we could remove it once we set sail. I would think that was done so the crew members could see who went and got checked in. After a certain time any crew member who sees someone without a wristband would tell them they have to watch the muster video (if they haven't already) and then report to their muster station.

That would work, too!

[KevinJ]

Four cruises since Oct. We've always had 11:00 or 11:30 boarding times. Very first stop, muster station. Except our last cruise, March on Wonder. On board by 11:30. muster stations not open until 1pm. Now had to "remember" to do it at some point rather than having it already done. Still way, way better than the old system. No bars open until muster is done, then hang out for close to an hour while everyone shows up, no thanks.

[Reigert2008]

I just wish you knew where on the ship your muster station was before you boarded. Either in the app Orem on your printed set sail pass.  I know we can see our stations in the app (B21 and B2 for our upcoming cruises) but it doesn’t say where they are located.  Sure over time you may remember where they are on the ships, but for newer cruisers or your first time on the ship, you may not know.

ideally I’d like to see something listed like (these locations may. It exist

Muster Station: B21, Deck 3,  Sabor Restaurant 

 

then at least you would have the name of where you need to be.  I could totally see a new cruiser intending to do it and then getting distracted when they board.  Maybe having a name to match the number could help.

[Done]

9 hours ago, 10-42 said:

Not to sound like I'm attacking you, not my intent at all.  But, I was wondering if you have said the same thing to those that list 30, 40, 50, or so past cruises and 20 or 30 future cruises.  Some signatures are as long or longer than my picture.  Just say'in.

I know and that is the main reason why I adjusted my attitude and made a lousy attempt to apologize.     

[Done]

I need to go back to bed

Edited May 26, 2022 by Toby
oops

[EmersonNZ]

What worries me is if there is an emergency on board what are the chances these people are going to be able to follow the instructions of the crew. In the case of an emergency the last thing the crew need to be dealing with is passengers who haven’t bothered to do their muster drill and/or passengers who can’t follow instructions. It puts the crew and follow passengers in danger at a time when time and coolness of action could really count

[KevinJ]

@Reigert2008 To locate your muster station. Use the APP, click the Safety icon in the lower left. It'll show your muster station, note just below that you should see I ship icon with Find on Deck beside it.

 

 

 

[Reigert2008]

3 hours ago, KevinJ said:

@Reigert2008 To locate your muster station. Use the APP, click the Safety icon in the lower left. It'll show your muster station, note just below that you should see I ship icon with Find on Deck beside it.

 

 

 

Thanks!  I had not noticed that on safety screen.  I was seeing the station by looking under the "person icon" at the top  where it give you your room number and date that check in opens.