You Didn't Want It But It's Coming Back to Gulf Coast Cruises

(KMDL-FM) If you have boarded a cruise ship in either the Port of New Orleans, the Port of Galveston, or the Port of Mobile in Alabama, chances are you were getting on board a vessel operated by Carnival Cruise Line. You also know that, if you've been on more than a few cruises, there is one activity that no passenger likes. Most cruise lines stopped it, but guess what? It's coming back to your favorite itineraries, at least there's a really good reason.

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In terms of evolving with consumer tastes, needs, wants, and expectations, no other industry has adapted as well as the cruise industry. At least that is my opinion. Guests wanted more on-board activities, better specialty dining, better onboard entertainment, and the cruise lines have delivered.

The modern cruise ship that sails out of our Gulf Coast ports is a floating city. Yeah, the population of some cruise ships, when you include guests and crew, is larger than many communities in our state. Keeping those people safe at sea is an important job, and even though you're on vacation, there are still rules you have to follow. This brings us to the pain point that many of you have mentioned in cruise adventures past.

Which Hated Activity Is Carnival Bringing Back to Some of Its Cruises?

In today's post-COVID cruise ship environment, a lot of strides have been made in guest health. One of those strides came with the advent of the "digital muster drill." That's where guests watch the ship's safety video online. Confirm that they have watched the video. And then during the hours before embarkation, they visit their on-board muster station and electronically check in that they have completed the mandatory safety drill.

The digital muster drill was done to avoid the gathering of large crowds, which was a key strategy for the cruise industry in the battle against COVID and other infectious diseases.

In the days before COVID, guests would physically have to put on a life vest and walk to their muster station on the ship's deck. All, however many thousand guests standing, some swaying with pre-cruise drinks, sweating for what seemed like an eternity. It's not an image most of us have when we think of "being on vacation."

Why Do Ships Have Muster Drills?

If you have ever gone through one of those muster drills, you have a new appreciation for the digital ones. Guess what is coming back? Yeah, the in-person muster drill. Now, it won't be on all Carnival sailings, but many cruises will have them. And you can expect a similar scenario on other cruise lines, too.

The muster drill is mandatory, and even though you have to interrupt unpacking or hitting the buffet to participate in it, it's required by the Coast Guard and SOLAS, or Safety of Life at Sea.

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald told guests via social media that the in-person muster drills take less than an hour, and if your cruise is scheduled for an in-person drill, you will be notified via e-mail that the activity will be a part of your embarkation day activities.