Some changes that cruise lines have made in recent years have not gone over well with their passengers. Cruisers often complain about changes made to dining room menus and drink packages, as well as declining food quality and service cutbacks across the industry.
One big change Carnival Cruise Line made post-pandemic is often praised by its passengers, however.
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In 2021, Carnival introduced a new process for the cruise ship muster drill, a mandatory safety exercise that all passengers must participate in before sailing. Rather than attending a large group muster gathering at a set time on embarkation day, passengers now self-muster at their assigned muster station during the embarkation process.
Passengers must check in with one of the dedicated muster station team members, who will demonstrate the correct donning of a life jacket. In the past, passengers were required to put on a life jacket themselves during a lengthy safety briefing.
Carnival has reported that the new process improved retention of important safety matters among passengers and enhanced the passenger experience, allowing more time for passengers to have fun on board before setting sail.
Surprisingly, not every passenger thinks the new process promotes a more fun start to the cruise experience though.
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Image source: Carnival Corporation
Carnival passenger makes noise about muster drill
Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald recently shared a passenger’s complaint about the cruise line’s muster drill safety briefing process on his popular Facebook page where he fields all kinds of passenger questions about the Carnival cruise experience.
“Yes, I do not get excited, and I have done 20+ Cruises, John Heald. That is because of the enforced change you have made sending us to the muster station first!” the unnamed passenger wrote.
“Standing in line, and then waiting around for a lifejacket demonstration is not an exciting way to start any cruise,” the passenger continued. “Then you find out that if you don’t follow these rules your card gets suspended so that you cannot get any cocktail service. I am not alone in my thinking.”
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The passenger requested that Carnival consider reverting back to its old way of conducting the onboard safety briefing.
“Return to the previous way of doing the muster station drill,” the passenger demanded. “Yes, it was longer, but everybody was relaxed, and we can do what we want as soon as we get on the ship. I hope this will be considered.”
Heald noted that the cruise line is not considering a change back to the old way of mustering, but invited passengers to share whether they agreed with the displeased passenger.
Most passengers appreciate the new muster drill process
More than 4,800 passengers commented on the post. Most, if not all, wanted to make it known that the unhappy cruiser doesn’t speak for them.
“Love the new way! The old way standing on deck packed like sardines, wearing your life jacket in the blazing heat….oh ya, we really need to go back that,” wrote Marc Rybinski. “I’d rather watch the safety video, go to my muster station and watch a demo and be on my way, straightaway, any day of the week, particularly embarkation day!”
Many passengers noted that the new process is much quicker and that the previous practice of standing around in the heat in a life jacket was a particularly unpleasant way to start a cruise.
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“The old way was more work, more stress, took longer, and in warm weather it was miserable,” Kelly Barsanti agreed. “That person must think they deserve preferential treatment if they didn’t go through all that. The new way is much cooler and quicker.”
Some passengers begged Carnival Cruise Line to never go back to the old muster drill.
“Please keep the muster process as it is now!! It should be part of the embarkation process and when you’re finished, let the vacay begin,” wrote Lisbet Idom Pilcher. “One of the ships (can’t remember if it was Spirit or Miracle) actually directed us straight to our muster station. I thought it was a great idea and put an end to having to page constant reminders to go muster for those who think they are too important to take 5 minutes to do what is required per maritime law. Just my opinion.”
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