Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is Muster?

Before your Disney Cruise sets sail, you’ll need to attend the Muster – the onboard safety instruction. If you’ve cruised on other lines, you may have heard muster called anything from muster drill to assembly drill, safety drill, or lifeboat drill. No matter how it’s referred to, it’s mandatory: attendance is required. And some cruise lines have a “virtual” muster, but Disney’s muster drill is an in-person event.

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. It’s good to check the time in advance so you can plan, but there will also be shipwide announcements shortly before the start of the drill. Muster typically takes 20 minutes, but can be a bit longer if several people arrive late.

When the time arrives, you’ll head for your muster station. You can find your assigned muster station (or assembly station) in a few places. It’s on your Key to the World Card, in the Navigator app, and on the back of your stateroom door. The Key to the World Card only has the station letter, but the app and your stateroom door will show the location on the ship.

Most muster stations are outdoors on the lifeboat deck, but some may be in spaces like the theaters or a restaurant. You don’t need to bring your lifejacket to muster. But be sure to bring your Key to the World Card or DisneyBand so you can check in when you get there. During the drill, you’ll get a rundown on emergency procedures and a demonstration of how to put on your lifejacket. After that, you’re free to go!

Once muster is over, you can view a similar safety presentation at any time on the TV in your stateroom. You can also find the muster video in the Navigator app, on the same screen as your assembly station information.

Safety is always a good idea, but the lifeboat drill is required by SOLAS regulations. (The International Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea.) That means you’ll find an assembly drill on the first-day roster even when sailing from a non-U.S. port. No matter where your Disney cruise embarks, muster is a must before your ship leaves the pier.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a Disney Cruise Line term that you want to see explained? Suggest it in the comments below!