Norwegian Cruise Line Reverses Decision on Muster Drills

Two months after switching back to traditional muster drills, Norwegian Cruise Line has changed its mind yet again. The cruise line will be returning to e-musters starting in April.

In a letter to booked passengers and forwarded to TMR by an NCL spokesperson, the cruise line wrote "In an effort to enhance the onboard guest experience while keeping the safety of our guests and crew our top priority, we will reinstate e-muster drills through our online check-in for sailings beginning April 1, 2023.

The rollback to e-musters will take place throughout the month, with different ships returning to e-musters on different dates.

E-musters were introduced to the industry when Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises became two of the first lines to return to sailing after the COVID-19 pause. All the other cruise lines soon offered their own version of the e-muster.

While most cruise lines have stuck with the e-musters Disney Cruise Line (in November 2022) and Norwegian Cruise Line (in January 2023), along with sister brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises decided to return to traditional muster drills. At the time the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands cited safety and security as their reason for the switch. (According to cruise line spokespersons, Oceania never actually did return to traditional musters and Regent Seven Seas has already returned to e-musters.)

In the move back to e-musters Norwegian Cruise Line referred to the drills as a best practice.

"We are committed to delivering an exceptional and safe experience on board and, as such, will continue to actively evaluate and modify our processes for best practices."