If you have never been on a cruise before then hiding would be a bad idea. It is important to know where to go incase of an emergency, know how to put those life jackets on correctly in case you need to be in the water. It would be my luck that you would miss it, end up on my ship, have an emergency situation come up and you be funbling around not knowing how to put the jacket on or where to go and then mess everyone else up by being in the wrong place without a jacket. Please do yourself and the other passengers a favor and go, listen to what is said and make the most of those few short minutes. Happy sailing.

USCG requirement, in conjunction with International Maritime Law.  A joint venture, as it were.

Drinking is now probited during them -- though I still believe it should have a two-drink minimum.  And while they say it's for the passengers, passengers in an emergency are going to panic anyway.  The drill's main practical effect is to keep the routine in the minds of the crew who will have to handle all those panicky people.

So go, keep quiet, do your best to pay attention, don't dawdle, because you're cutting in on my drinking time the longer the drill takes.