P&O Cruises has confirmed that passengers must attend a mandatory safety and muster drill before the ship departs on embarkation day, with mobile phones and alcohol prohibited during the event. The cruise line says the use of mobile phones and consumption of alcohol is not permitted during the guest safety and muster drill to ensure due attention is given throughout.
Mandatory attendance and scanning
According to the P&O Cruises website, it is mandatory for all guests to attend the guest safety and muster drill before sailing on embarkation day. Guests must bring their cruise card to the drill, as the card will be scanned to confirm attendance. The ship is legally required to remain at port until every guest has completed this requirement.
The cruise line states: "Due to the critical importance of your own safety, drills must be attended in a timely manner."
Two types of safety drills
P&O Cruises operates two types of safety processes: a modern e-muster process and a full in-person drill. On most embarkation days, passengers taking part in an e-muster must go directly to their assigned muster station as soon as they board to have their boarding pass or cruise card scanned. Passengers then complete the briefing by watching the safety demonstration video on their in-cabin television.
On the P&O Cruises website, the cruise line adds: "Upon embarkation, one of our friendly crew members will be able to help direct you to your muster station. You’ll have your boarding pass scanned and can familiarise yourself with your muster station, ensuring you know where you need to go in the event of an emergency."
It continues: "When you arrive at your cabin, we ask that you watch our safety video that will be showing on your in-cabin TV. This includes important health, well-being and safety information as well as the actions you would need to take in the unlikely event of an emergency, including a life jacket demonstration. Once this is done, you can relax, explore and enjoy everything your ship has to offer."
Periodic full in-person drills
While the quick scan-and-watch method is standard, international maritime rules require P&O Cruises to conduct a full, traditional in-person muster drill periodically, typically twice a year per ship, to maintain crew competencies. If a sailing falls on one of these dates, passengers will be given specific instructions on board or via email beforehand.
Every commercial cruise ship around the globe, no matter the cruise line, must conduct a mandatory safety drill. It is a legal requirement to hold a passenger muster drill before or right after departure, as stated by international maritime law, particularly the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). A ship is not allowed to leave the port until all passengers are accounted for and cleared.
