Royal Caribbean Group is redeveloping cruise ship safety drills with Muster 2.o. 

The programme, which the company claims to be the first of its kind, “reimagines a process originally designed for large groups of people into a faster, more personal approach that encourages higher levels of safety”.

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 guests on an individual basis instead of a group approach that has been followed historically.

New eMuster technology will be used to help provide the information to guests via their mobile devices and interactive stateroom TVs.

Holidaymakers 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 better spacing as guests move about the ship, and it allows guests to enjoy more of their holiday with no interruption.

After reviewing safety information individually, guests 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.

Muster 2.0 was first tested on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas in January 2020.

According to the cruise line, guests 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.

Muster 2.0 is part of a number of enhanced health protocols Royal Caribbean Group will be rolling out in the wake of Covid-19, along with the Healthy Sail Panel it developed in collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO, Richard Fain, said: “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and crew are our number one priority, and the development of this new muster process is an elegant solution to an outdated, unpopular process. 

“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.”

Royal Caribbean Group senior vice president of digital, Jay Schneider, added: “Muster 2.0 represents a natural extension of our mission to improve our guests’ holiday experiences by removing points of friction. 

“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.”

In addition to introducing the new process on the ships of its own cruise lines which include 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 GmbH, as well as Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). 

NCLH president and chief executive Frank Del Rio said: “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.

“In this industry, we all work co-operatively to enhance health and safety, and this is an example of that.”

Visit rclcorporate.com for more information.