I actually don't know if there are different rules for when lifeboat drills are supposed to take place, when you sail from the US, versus from overseas somewhere. I was very surprised to hear that many people had been on that ship for several days and had not had a lifeboat drill. The crew did not seem well trained in this instance, but to be fair to them, with the ship listing at the extreme angle that it was, it was a very tricky and dangerous evacuation. Many people reported hitting the side of the ship when the lifeboats were being lowered down. Extremely scary.