Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that its upcoming sailing of Carnival Sunshine from Norfolk, Virginia, will feature a traditional in-person muster drill before departure.
The eight-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes stops at Celebration Key, Princess Cays, and Grand Turk.
Unlike the fleetwide use of the e-muster system, a streamlined digital safety briefing, the October 18 sailing will require all guests to attend the full in-person drill to meet maritime safety regulations.
John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, addressed rumors regarding the reintroduction of the older-style muster drill.
About 20 passengers reached out after receiving notification of the drill, seeking clarification. Heald said that this is a mandatory requirement enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, Australian Coast Guard, and other international maritime authorities, as dictated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
Heald stated, “This is not a return to the old way on a permanent basis but a compliance measure that every ship must fulfill twice annually.” He assured guests the crew will conduct the drill efficiently to minimize inconvenience.
In-Person Drill Requirements and Passenger Notification
All Carnival ships are required to conduct two full muster drills with passengers onboard each year.
Normally, most sailings have adopted the e-muster format, which allows faster completion of the safety briefing. On designated compliance sailings, the full muster drill remains necessary.
Guests affected by this requirement receive advance email notifications outlining the drill procedures.
Duration and Process of Traditional Muster Drills
The typical in-person muster drill can last between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on ship size and passenger count. Delays are often caused by guests arriving late, going to incorrect muster stations, or extended conversations during the safety briefing.
Families traveling with children may experience additional time as wristbands indicating muster stations are distributed to young cruisers.
All dining, bar service, and scheduled activities pause shortly before the drill begins to facilitate timely guest assembly at muster stations. Crew members remain available to assist passengers in locating their assigned stations.
While the traditional muster drill may feel like an inconvenience to some guests, it remains a critical safety procedure designed to make sure everyone aboard understands emergency protocols.
