Royal Caribbean Group replaces mass safety drill with patented individual approach
Royal Caribbean Group is replacing one of the least-loved but most important parts of a cruise — the safety drill — with Muster 2.0, a new approach to delivering safety information that also allows social distancing.
July 24, 2020
The innovative program reimagines a process originally designed for large groups of people into a faster, more personal approach that the company said encourages higher levels of safety.
Muster 2.0
With Muster 2.0, the key elements of the safety drill — including reviewing what to expect and where to go in case of an emergency, and instructions on how to properly use a life jacket — will be accessible to travelers on an individual basis instead of the group approach that has been followed historically.
New technology, eMuster, will be used to help provide the information to passengers via their mobile devices and interactive stateroom TVs. Travelers will be able to review the information at their own time prior to setting sail, eliminating the need for the traditional large group assemblies. The new approach also enables everyone on board to maintain distancing.
After reviewing safety information individually, passengers will complete the drill by visiting their assigned assembly station, where a crew member will verify that all steps have been completed and answer questions. Each of the steps will need to be completed prior to the ship's departure, as required by international maritime law.
'Elegant solution'
'The health and safety of our guests and crew are our number one priority, and the development of this new muster process is an elegant solution to an outdated, unpopular process,' said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. 'The fact that this will also save guests time and allow the ship to operate without pause means that we can increase health, safety and guest satisfaction simultaneously.'
Facilitates social distancing
'Muster 2.0 represents a natural extension of our mission to improve our guests' vacation experiences by removing points of friction,' added Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Group's SVP digital. 'In this instance, what's most convenient for our guests is also the safest option in light of needing to reimagine social spaces in the wake of COVID-19.'
This marks the first dramatic change to the safety drill process in a decade, since Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas moved the life jackets from staterooms to the muster stations, which improved the evacuation process and has been widely followed throughout the industry. More than a year in the making, Muster 2.0 is also an initiative that will be part of the comprehensive set of protocols and procedures Royal Caribbean Group is developing along with the Healthy Sail Panel that was recently assembled in collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
'This new process represents the kind of innovation that the Healthy Sail Panel is focusing on as part of its mission to enhance the health and safety of cruising,' said former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, co-chair of the Healthy Sail Panel. 'It shows that we can accomplish a lot if we try to think outside the box on safety.'
Thumbs up from Frank Del Rio
'I'd like to extend my congratulations to Royal Caribbean Group on this innovative milestone. It's exactly what our industry needs during these unprecedented times and we appreciate the generous offer to participate in this innovation,' said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. 'In this industry, we all work cooperatively to enhance health and safety, and this is an example of that.'
The distributed muster for oceangoing vessels concept is patented in the United States and is patent-pending in major markets around the world, including the various cruise industry flag states. The company has also worked with international regulators, the US Coast Guard and other maritime and government authorities to ensure it meets all safety requirements.
Licenses granted to TUI Cruises and NCLH brands
In addition to introducing the new process on the ships of its own cruise lines — Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara — Royal Caribbean Group is offering to license the patented technology to interested cruise operators and will waive patent license fees during the time the world and industry battle the global pandemic. Patent licenses have already been granted to the company's joint venture, TUI Cruises, as well as NCLH, the parent of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Muster 2.0 was first tested on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas in January. Passengers who took part in the mock process indicated a strong preference for the new approach and also reported better comprehension and retention of the safety information.
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