Carnival to Require In-Person Muster Drills on Select Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line says some voyages will include a traditional, in-person muster drill, even as most sailings continue to use the line’s digital “e-muster” process. Brand Ambassador John Heald attributed the occasional return of full group drills to safety rules under SOLAS (the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) and U.S. Coast Guard requirements.

Why a full in-person muster still appears on select voyages

Carnival introduced e-muster in 2021 as cruising resumed under pandemic-era measures, shifting the guest safety briefing away from large, shipwide gatherings. The standard digital format generally involves watching a safety video and completing a check-in step at a guest’s assigned muster station.

Even with e-muster as the default, Heald said certain sailings are periodically designated for the traditional drill, in which passengers report to their muster stations at the same time for a short briefing. “Every six months we have to do a full muster,” Heald said, adding, “please bear with us if we do this on your cruise.”

What guests can expect when the traditional drill is scheduled

When a sailing requires the in-person version, Carnival says guests will be alerted ahead of embarkation. “We’ll send you an email ahead of time,” Heald said. Carnival has also told guests in pre-cruise notices that the “full safety drill” will take place before departure and that participation is mandatory, with shipwide announcements used to direct passengers on when and where to assemble.

On timing, Heald said the full muster “does not take an hour.” In a separate update, he described the exercise as taking less than an hour, positioning it as a brief but necessary step to meet required safety standards.

A recent example: Carnival Miracle’s January 4, 2026 sailing

One voyage specifically cited in guest communications is Carnival Miracle’s January 4, 2026 departure from Tampa. Carnival said the seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary would use the traditional safety briefing format rather than relying only on the self-guided process through the Carnival HUB App.

Heald has emphasized that the line is not planning to reinstate full, in-person musters on every sailing, and that e-muster will remain the standard approach while the periodic full drill is conducted when required.

Regulatory oversight and inspections

Alongside SOLAS requirements, Heald pointed to U.S. Coast Guard regulation and oversight as a driver in how drills are conducted. “All of this has been decided under the regulations of the United States Coast Guard,” he said.

Heald also referenced ongoing inspections, saying ships will continue to be inspected “randomly and periodically.”

Crew drills continue weekly across the fleet

Carnival’s guest muster format does not replace onboard emergency training for crew members. Heald said crew drills are conducted in person every week on every ship, calling them “full crew rehearsals for every single scenario.” He said the training includes man overboard responses, onboard fire procedures, muster station readiness, and evacuation scenarios.

In another update, Heald said those weekly drills help ensure readiness regardless of where a ship is operating, including ports such as Sydney and Port Canaveral. “Our crew is well-equipped to handle any situation with the utmost professionalism,” he said.

Other pre-cruise operational notices for select departures

Separate from safety drill updates, Carnival has also flagged operational items for some upcoming sailings, including parking constraints and onboard mobility-device storage rules.

• Long Beach terminal parking: Guests sailing from Long Beach, California, on Carnival Radiance or Carnival Firenze were advised that on-site parking at the cruise terminal is limited. Carnival said overflow parking options have been arranged at offsite facilities managed by the City of Long Beach, and guests were encouraged to consider alternate transportation or be prepared to use the offsite lots (which charge $20 per day).
• Mobility scooter storage rules: For Carnival Venezia’s January 11 sailing from Port Canaveral, Carnival reiterated that scooters cannot be stored in public corridors or block emergency exits. The line also said devices wider than 21 inches, or parties traveling with multiple scooters, must book accessible accommodations to ensure the devices can be safely accommodated inside standard staterooms.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is that embarkation-day routines can vary by voyage. Carnival has advised guests to watch for pre-cruise emails and listen for onboard announcements so required safety steps, whether digital or in-person, can be completed without delay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Carnival bringing back in-person muster drills on every cruise?

No. Heald said Carnival will continue using e-muster on most voyages, with only select sailings designated for the traditional, in-person group drill when required.

Why are traditional muster drills returning on some sailings?

Carnival has tied the occasional full muster to SOLAS safety training requirements and U.S. Coast Guard regulation and oversight. Heald said a full muster is required every six months on certain ships.

How will passengers know if their sailing has a full, in-person muster drill?

Heald said Carnival will notify guests by email ahead of time when a full muster is scheduled. Carnival has also said shipwide announcements will provide instructions onboard, including when and where to assemble at assigned muster stations.

What are the updated policies for mobility scooters onboard?

Carnival told guests that scooters cannot be stored in public corridors or block emergency exits. For Carnival Venezia’s January 11 sailing from Port Canaveral, the line also specified that devices wider than 21 inches, or groups traveling with multiple scooters, must book accessible accommodations so the devices can be safely accommodated.

What is Carnival doing about limited parking for Long Beach sailings?

For passengers sailing from Long Beach on Carnival Radiance or Carnival Firenze, Carnival said on-site terminal parking is limited and that overflow parking is available at offsite facilities managed by the City of Long Beach. Guests were encouraged to consider alternate transportation or plan to use the offsite option, which charges $20 per day.