I keep hearing about SOLAS. What is SOLAS?

Kewl. Thanks for explaining it!

Something you might want to remember when you’re treating a crew member badly, or with disrespect (I’ve even been on the receiving end of it as an entertainer on board ship) is that that particular crew member might possibly be the one helping you get into the lifeboats in the case of an emergency. Not a moment then to start regretting your bad behaviour. All crew members, from busboys to cabin stewards play a part in emergency procedures.

I’ve just read these comments for the first time and I can hardly believe my eyes! Why are we even discussing the issue? It’s simple. The Boat Drill is compulsory. It’s there for your own safety, folks. It doesn’t really matter what time it takes place. It won’t keep you away from your cocktails for more than 10 or 15 minutes. Don’t make problems for yourself. You’re on holiday for goodness sake.

Lifeboat drill is carried out for YOUR safety. Remember that. You don’t hear the crew complaining when they have to do lifeboat and fire drill several times during the cruise. Some have even lost their lives carrying out these drills. It’s an international maritime regulation.

Just in case you were thinking of trying to skip the lifeboat drill, some years ago on a Greek cruise ship some passengers failed to show up and the skipper ordered a second drill the next day ... and that instruction came with warning that those passengers who did not appear would be tossed into the brig for the rest of the cruise. And he woulkd have been in his right!