Social Distancing on a Cruise Ship?

[Ocean Boy]

 

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I guess you could ban drinks in the theaters and require masks there.

I don't really see the theater to be as big an issue as the lounges themselves. People are not in the theater to socialize and talk. They are relatively quiet as they watch a show... or catch a nap as in the case if CATS. 😉 The lounges are to socialize and can get loud (think of the Pup on the Royal Prominade). This causes people to move closer together and project their voices further. That is much more conducive for transmission of respiratory infectious disease. And that is the same problem with landside bars. 

[alfaeric]

1 hour ago, bouhunter said:

Or, one positive test.  Then have fun on that cruise 🙂

 

I'm blown away by the posters who think it will be so much fun to go on a restrictive covid  era cruise.  I guess sitting on their balcony looking at the water is enough to satisfy their addiction.  Cruises when they start will be NOTHING like the recent past and I don't think they get it yet.  But they will.

 

Demand is going to be very low, cruise critic is no indicator of overall cruise passengers.  The addicts better hope the 30% "break even" mantra is true or the cruise lines won't be able to maintain things for them for long.

 

FYI we spent 6 weeks on ships last winter so we obviously do love cruising.  But it's seasonal for us, not year round.  We'll miss it, but not like the year round cruisers who are desperate to "get on a ship".  We have plans for 2 months next winter that don't involve cruising.  Even those could be disrupted of course, but less at risk than hoping a no fun ship sails.

So you know that there are people who think differently than you- I'm blown away by the resistance to wear masks.  How does wearing a mask force you to have a bad time, or is some kind of horrible oppressive device?  That absolutely makes no sense what so ever.  I don't recall anyone protesting the requirement to wear a shirt and shoes to a restaurant....

 

Nor the idea that being 6 feet apart means that you can't socialize with other people- I've had plenty of conversations with people in the last 4 months were we both kept apart.  Physical distancing does not mean the end of socialization.

 

Then, there are plenty of private people out there who have no interest in meeting anyone else. 

 

If you want to think this is some kind of oppressive movement, that's fine.  But don't assume that everyone in the world thinks exactly like you.  

 

And MY issue with going on a cruise has less to do with the cruise lines and far, far more to do with what the states we have to travel through are doing.   There's no way we are going to Florida for a LONG time given they are very much out of control.  Maybe Cape Liberty- as long as it does not stop in Florida.

 

At least the cruise lines are TRYING to come up with a way to prevent spread and make passengers feel safe enough to cruise.  As opposed to some of the states where cruises start from.

Edited July 8, 2020 by alfaeric

[Ocean Boy]

7 hours ago, fandash said:

So why go for Royal Carribean?  if you'd pay more for the exclusivity why not choose to go with a more exclusive cruise line so you get "your perfect holiday all the time"

 

 

1 hour ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Because of Convenience. 
 

M8

And how else could the Pinnacle vs. Suite passenger war continue?

[AF-1]

Assume the parades on the Royal Promenade will be changed.  People line up hours prior to parade and are side by side.

[Ocean Boy]

10 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

So you know that there are people who think differently than you- I'm blown away by the resistance to wear masks.  How does wearing a mask force you to have a bad time, or is some kind of horrible oppressive device?  That absolutely makes no sense what so ever.  I don't recall anyone protesting the requirement to wear a shirt and shoes to a restaurant....

 

I'm rather blown away that after months of talking about this on these boards that you can't understand any viewpoint but your own on this mask issue.

 

And how wearing clothes remotely equates to a mask over your nose and mouth completely escapes me.

[Milwaukee Eight]

11 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

 

And how else could the Pinnacle vs. Suite passenger war continue.

And that too. 😇

[Milwaukee Eight]

6 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Assume the parades on the Royal Promenade will be changed.  People line up hours prior to parade and are side by side.

I guess some do but we would never line up for hours prior to anything happening in the Promenade. 
 

M8

[AF-1]

I always wondered why people would stand or sit for hours waiting on a parade in the promenade;  but they do every cruise

[bouhunter]

1 hour ago, time4u2go said:

I would visit the ports,

The ones that will let ships dock.   And if there's a positive covid test on board that will be zero.

[davekathy]

2 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

I always wondered why people would stand or sit for hours waiting on a parade in the promenade;  but they do every cruise

Best time to go to one of the bars/lounges to have a drink or two. We never go to the parades anyway. 

[AF-1]

I went to one parade with grandkids;  we showed up five minutes prior;  we could see things; but kids were not on the promenade where they could touch the characters.  We still had a good time.  Lots of changes coming to all the ships.

[Georgia_Peaches]

46 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

I'm blown away by the resistance to wear masks.  How does wearing a mask force you to have a bad time, or is some kind of horrible oppressive device?  That absolutely makes no sense what so ever.  I don't recall anyone protesting the requirement to wear a shirt and shoes to a restaurant....

I don't go on a cruise to socialize with people I don't know so social distancing won't be an issue for me.  But I don't care to be prohibited from entering a venue, like the casino for example, because it has already met a certain quota of people.  Who knows if that will happen but it could.

 

As far as masks go, I wear one when in public because it's what our community officials have asked us to do.  If it helps control the spread, then I will do it.   But let me be clear.  I don't like it one bit.  It fogs up my glasses and it's hot and I can't hear people as well when they speak through their mask.  It's annoying.  I don't mind putting up with such annoyances when I leave the house because it's temporary.  On a cruise, it's different.  It just is.  Will I have a bad time if I wear one?  Absolutely not because I won't be there until they are no longer required.  

 

I work for the University System of Georgia who has just announced mandatory mask wearing inside all campus buildings in the fall.  I get it, I'll do it, but don't ask me to like it.  If I have to do it on vacation, then for me, it's not vacation.

Edited July 8, 2020 by Georgia_Peaches

[cementhands]

Newscasts should show horrific experience of being on a ventilator. Show how your body is affected for the rest of your life following covid19 if you recover.  Lungs and heart compromised not to mention the toll on your mind.

Our doctor was adamant about how terrible covid19 can be to our age 65 plus.

Yet my parents age 91 and 93 are still going out for lunch with friends and won’t listen to reason. Same for our doctors parents.
People are going to do what they want. Wearing a mask and social distancing is our way of life for the future ....

[Joebucks]

20 hours ago, broberts said:

 

A matter of perspective:

• Opportunity to express artistic creativity through fashion sensitive facial coverings
• More room in and around pools, no chair hogs
• More attentive dining and bar services
• Less crowding in lounges
• Less pushing and shoving on elevators
• More room in theaters and other performance venues
• Less crowding in ports

 

You lost me with the first half, won me with the last half.

 

Seeing everyone's art, political statements, and everything else with their masks does nothing for me

 

Thinking chair hogs will be gone is wishful thinking. If there's less people on the deck, there's likely to be less chairs too. Social distancing.

 

I do like the ability to have more room in more areas. However, again, I expect removed chairs and social distancing.

[Ocean Boy]

38 minutes ago, cementhands said:

 

People are going to do what they want. Wearing a mask and social distancing is our way of life for the future ....

Are not those two sentences somewhat contradictory?

[Milwaukee Eight]

Just now, Ocean Boy said:

Are not those two sentences somewhat contradictory?

Oxymoron 

[DaniDanielle]

12 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Count the suite load on Oasis and then we can discuss that😉

I would imagine Royal could change Suite Amenities just as easily as they change C&A “Perks”.  They can add or take away!

[boscobeans]

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

  I don't like it one bit.  It fogs up my glasses and it's hot and I can't hear people as well when they speak through their mask.  It's annoying.  I don't mind putting up with such annoyances when I leave the house because it's temporary.  On a cruise, it's different.  It just is.  Will I have a bad time if I wear one?  Absolutely not because I won't be there until they are no longer required.  

 

I work for the University System of Georgia who has just announced mandatory mask wearing inside all campus buildings in the fall.  I get it, I'll do it, but don't ask me to like it.  If I have to do it on vacation, then for me, it's not vacation.

This may interest you... And since the CDC is stating that a shield might actually provide more protection than a mask..

InstaShield is the name..

I noticed a new type of face shield on line that looked interesting. It is made to fit on the brim of a baseball cap or sun visor.  

No band around your head with big letters telling people that it is a FACE SHIELD. 

On and off in an instant,

If you want a drink, just lift it by the brim and place it back on when you had your drink.

 

Easy to sanitize, glasses don't fog up and doesn't in any way affect breathing.

AND ACTUALLY ABOUT THE LEAST EXPENSIVE PPE OUT THERE..

 

HOWEVER, fitting it on the brim and keeping it adjusted was a problem but adjusting it and then applying a few beads from a hot glue gun and it is very stable, stays where it should even with repeated on and off cycles. 

[ryano]

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

As far as masks go, I wear one when in public because it's what our community officials have asked us to do.  If it helps control the spread, then I will do it.   But let me be clear.  I don't like it one bit.  It fogs up my glasses and it's hot and I can't hear people as well when they speak through their mask.  It's annoying.  I don't mind putting up with such annoyances when I leave the house because it's temporary.  On a cruise, it's different.  It just is.  Will I have a bad time if I wear one?  Absolutely not because I won't be there until they are no longer required.  

 

I work for the University System of Georgia who has just announced mandatory mask wearing inside all campus buildings in the fall.  I get it, I'll do it, but don't ask me to like it.  If I have to do it on vacation, then for me, it's not vacation.

 

Very well said and I could NOT agree any more than I do!   I liked the post.  I would love it if I could.   I work for the Technical College System of Ga.  We are under the same mandate.  I dont like it but I will do it. I wear one while out in public because we asked to but I absolutely WILL NOT wear one on a cruise ship, even if it means rolling away from a large cruise credit on a 2021 booked Alaska cruise.  No thanks.  

Edited July 8, 2020 by ryano

[Milwaukee Eight]

51 minutes ago, DaniDanielle said:

I would imagine Royal could change Suite Amenities just as easily as they change C&A “Perks”.  They can add or take away!

Sure they can. The C&A T&C clearly say they can for C&A perks. Haven’t seen it for Suite amenities. I’ve seen it happen and heard that those that complained about unable or unavailable amenities, they received some FCC.  We didn’t complain onboard so don’t know if we would have got one. Do they give out FCC for limiting access to CL/DL ?

 

M8

[DaniDanielle]

That’s a good idea👍

[fandash]

4 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I'm rather blown away that after months of talking about this on these boards that you can't understand any viewpoint but your own on this mask issue.

 

And how wearing clothes remotely equates to a mask over your nose and mouth completely escapes me.

well said

[fandash]

4 hours ago, alfaeric said:

So you know that there are people who think differently than you- I'm blown away by the resistance to wear masks.  How does wearing a mask force you to have a bad time, or is some kind of horrible oppressive device?  That absolutely makes no sense what so ever.  I don't recall anyone protesting the requirement to wear a shirt and shoes to a restaurant....

 

Nor the idea that being 6 feet apart means that you can't socialize with other people- I've had plenty of conversations with people in the last 4 months were we both kept apart.  Physical distancing does not mean the end of socialization.

 

Then, there are plenty of private people out there who have no interest in meeting anyone else. 

 

If you want to think this is some kind of oppressive movement, that's fine.  But don't assume that everyone in the world thinks exactly like you.  

 

And MY issue with going on a cruise has less to do with the cruise lines and far, far more to do with what the states we have to travel through are doing.   There's no way we are going to Florida for a LONG time given they are very much out of control.  Maybe Cape Liberty- as long as it does not stop in Florida.

 

At least the cruise lines are TRYING to come up with a way to prevent spread and make passengers feel safe enough to cruise.  As opposed to some of the states where cruises start from.

and i am blown away as to why there are so many people  willing to "just go with what is announced just so they can cruise" .... but hey that is up to them. I dont really want to  judge but felt i had to comment on your comment.

 

wearing a shirt and tie is way way different to wearing a mask all the time on a cruise... and you will probably know that yourself however you chose to wear a mask...but imo most people will not wear a mask on a cruise

 

I have actually had enough of the mask debate...

 

So if wearing a mask is so good to stop spreading  covid why was it not implemented at the VERY beginning... Because imo it is not proven to be that effective... i am not one of those people who just goes with what is said. i go with what i believe (however if it mandatory in some places i would need adhere to that  or not go to wherever it is mandatory). however i am also not one of those people who can just go along with what is being asked when it constantly changes. Masks were not mandatory at the beginning of covid ...maybe if it had been things would have been different ... but the horse has already bolted... so why now???

 

The cruise lines will be trying to come up with ways to prevent it however masks are not one of the things that will be mandated EVER. However if people on a cruise are wearing a mask when/if i  cruise then that is up to them and i will not judge however i got to say how many of the mask wearers will judge a fellow cruiser who is not wearing one... well i can safely guess at lease 97%.

 

So let mask wearers do their thing and wear a mask if that is what makes you happy and let the no  mask wearers decide it is not for them

 

That way everyone will be happy

Happy cruising to you

 

[broberts]

1 hour ago, fandash said:

So if wearing a mask is so good to stop spreading  covid why was it not implemented at the VERY beginning..

 

As Dr Fauci and others said at the time, it was more important that masks be reserved for medical staff. Once data established that non medical masks are effective the guidance changed to encourage mask wearing.

 

I simply don't understand the argument that because expert thinking has changed, it has to be wrong.

 

If one doesn't want to accept current recommendations, at least take the time to gather real data so that a reasoned decision can be made. Virus don't care about what people chose to believe.

[Georgia_Peaches]

15 minutes ago, broberts said:

I simply don't understand the argument that because expert thinking has changed, it has to be wrong.

I think part of the problem is that one can find an "expert" or two to support their way of thinking for just about anything.  I've read some medical experts who have said mask wearing is really more psychological protection than health protection from contracting a virus.  Is that true?  Who knows?!  Case in point, the Mayor of Atlanta is always seen wearing a mask when in public.  Leading by example.  I respect that.  However, yesterday she announced she tested positive for COVID.   I pray for her speedy recovery.  

 

The truth is, nobody really knows if wearing a mask helps.  All they really know is that it doesn't hurt.  But like @fandash I'm done with the mask debate.  People think what they think...and that's ok with me.

 

 

 

Edited July 8, 2020 by Georgia_Peaches