Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is Muster?

“Muster” or “Muster Drill” is a nautical term for onboard safety instruction. You might hear other cruise lines or even Disney Cruise Line sometimes refer to this as the “assembly drill,” “assembly,” “safety drill,” or “lifeboat drill.” Whatever term is used, a safety lesson is required by the Coast Guard just prior to setting sail on every cruise ship.

Most Disney Cruise Line musters take place at 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. with the exact time noted in the DCL Navigator App. Your “muster station” or “assembly station” (your meeting place) will be noted on your DCL room key (also known your Key to the World Card). Most muster stations are outdoors on the lifeboat deck, but some may take place in the ship’s main auditorium or in a restaurant. Information conveyed by crew members will include emergency procedures and instructions on how to wear your life jacket.

Note that during the immediate post-pandemic return to sailing, DCL offered a virtual version of the muster drill. While some cruise lines may still allow virtual muster, all Disney assembly drills are now in person.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is an offshoot of our “Disney in a Minute” posts. “In a Jiffy” posts are bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney Cruise (DCL) line term or planning topic. Have a question about a DCL term that is unfamiliar to you? Suggest it here for an upcoming segment.