Don,t worry guys,, if it,s 31 min they can still jail the captain then !!!

And as per SOLAS all 8860 people onboard are supposed to be able to be evacuated in 30 minutes. Yeah right!

Following info typically available through internet sources....RCC float the largest cruise ships in the world with largest lifeboats. Using OASIS of the SEAS as an example....9 per side X 2 X 370 = 6,660 people (Based on max occupancy). Assume crew of approx 2,200 = 8,860 people on board . For those not assigned a lifeboat the OASIS has inflatable liferafts accessible through a "chute" system.

Normal standard maximum lifeboat capacity is 150 persons pr boat. However, some of the larger cruise vessels today have extemption today(from Flag state) to sail with prototype lifeboats of max 350 persons per lifeboat, ie more than double of "normal" max capacity. No mystery here...

Thanks for all the answers. Those could be the reasons. But I would be more happy in a lifeboat than in a raft in High seas. Think about the sinking of Explorer down in antarctica. They had to wait in open sea for many hours. I think the should put more life boats up and still put more rafts on the ship. When there is a uncomfortable launching angle, they can use them of course. There is place for at least 2 to 3 more each side, without changing the design. Does anybody know how many people fit in one of these life boats on this ship?

Probably a greater number of life rafts are used, as these are becoming more favourable over lifeboats, which an be restricted from launching if the angle of the ship's tilt is too great.

New,enhanced design creating greater carrying capacity each unit...?

Maybe like the Titanic they think she is unsinkable

I wonder, why she does have not as many lifeboats as the Independence for example? I count only 8 on one side here, where the Independence has 15.