Carnival now requiring masks & tests (no different than Royal protocols now)

[jrapps]

Seems the advantage of a 95% cruise is no more...Carnival just announced they will require masks in all indoor locations, and everyone (vaccinated or not) must Covid test 3 days before cruise, on all US sailings, even those sailings that are 95% vaccinated.

 

So the benefits of going on a Carnival 95% ship are now no different than going on a Royal ship, except you know exactly how many are vaccinated vs not....

[molly361]

Well guess I can stop pricing them now😇

[bajathree]

58 minutes ago, jrapps said:

 

 

So the benefits of going on a Carnival 95% ship are now no different than going on a Royal ship, except you know exactly how many are vaccinated vs not....

Except that Carnival is packing people onboard at about 75% occupancy verse Royal at about 35%.

[coffeebean]

1 hour ago, jrapps said:

Seems the advantage of a 95% cruise is no more...Carnival just announced they will require masks in all indoor locations, and everyone (vaccinated or not) must Covid test 3 days before cruise, on all US sailings, even those sailings that are 95% vaccinated.

 

So the benefits of going on a Carnival 95% ship are now no different than going on a Royal ship, except you know exactly how many are vaccinated vs not....

Bad news. Sad day.

[jrapps]

41 minutes ago, coffeebean said:

Bad news. Sad day.

I find it very ironic that the largest Cruise line is now voluntarily doing protocols more restrictive than the CSO. For all the hemming and hawing about that lawsuit....

 

I don't think we have seen the end of the surprises.

[rbell]

Good for them!

[whyrlygig]

I am fine with it and even, all for it.  The cruise lines want to survive!  If it means more protocols then so be it.  

[dswallow]

11 minutes ago, jrapps said:

I find it very ironic that the largest Cruise line is now voluntarily doing protocols more restrictive than the CSO. For all the hemming and hawing about that lawsuit....

 

I don't think we have seen the end of the surprises.

 

I find that the concept of the Cruise Lines wanting to be safe and taking steps on their own rather than as a regulatory requirement to do so is actually something good.

[3kidsncats]

I will be very bummed if indoor masking is required on our AOS sailing in two weeks — but not surprised.  It was a possibility at the time I booked, so have been prepared for it.  Will just have to enjoy the pool deck more than usual, no biggie

[Tree_skier]

Sounds to me like Royal's protocols, with their reduced capacities, will be a much safer and more enjoyable experience than Carnival/Princess will.

 

Those that whined and wanted Royal to do what Carnival was doing are probably regretting those words now.

[Sunshine3601]

I guess the only difference is carnival still restricting the amount of unvaxxed children, where royal doesnt restrict for sailings out of Fl.

But carnival is sailing with higher % of passengers.

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Sunshine3601

[firefly333]

5 hours ago, jrapps said:

Seems the advantage of a 95% cruise is no more...Carnival just announced they will require masks in all indoor locations, and everyone (vaccinated or not) must Covid test 3 days before cruise, on all US sailings, even those sailings that are 95% vaccinated.

 

So the benefits of going on a Carnival 95% ship are now no different than going on a Royal ship, except you know exactly how many are vaccinated vs not....

I listened to john and he did not say wear a mask everywhere inside. He said in tight quarters, like waiting for comedy show. 

 

That being said not happy to have to get a covid test, but quoting him as saying everywhere inside... exaggeration. Not everywhere is tight quarters. .. though who wants to wear a mask anywhere. 

 

Just saying this isnt what was said. .. let's see how it works out.  Bummed enough.

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

Sounds to me like Royal's protocols, with their reduced capacities, will be a much safer and more enjoyable experience than Carnival/Princess will.

 

Those that whined and wanted Royal to do what Carnival was doing are probably regretting those words now.

Lol not me! I dont like it from either carnival or rcl. 

 

Lots are cancelling, and rates were already low from cancelling kids. Bet some capacity is down by tomorrow. This is one way to lower capacity. 

[bajathree]

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I guess the only difference is carnival still restricting the amount of unvaxxed children, where royal doesnt restrict for sailings out of Fl.

But carnival is sailing with higher % of passengers.

 

They are now is it's an eastern itinerary. 

[Sunshine3601]

37 minutes ago, bajathree said:

They are now is it's an eastern itinerary. 

Yes, you are right, required for sailings to st thomas.

[jrapps]

53 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I listened to john and he did not say wear a mask everywhere inside. He said in tight quarters, like waiting for comedy show. 

 

That being said not happy to have to get a covid test, but quoting him as saying everywhere inside... exaggeration. Not everywhere is tight quarters. .. though who wants to wear a mask anywhere. 

 

Just saying this isnt what was said. .. let's see how it works out.  Bummed enough.

Open to interpretation. Their exact language has been posted:

 

All guests age 2 and older will be required to wear face masks in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino, except when eating or drinking. Guests will be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the Lido Buffet area and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate (signs will be posted). Additionally, masks are required at any indoor activity with children under 12 years, (i.e., Build-A-Bear®, Family Harbor, Sky Zone®)

 

So perhaps there wont be masks in hallways, but they left themselves wide open with anywhere "signs are posted". Basically any indoor entertainment area (casino, theater, comedy club, bar, etc) and in the dining room before you are seated.

 

They won't leave it to individuals interpretations of what any one person thinks is or is not "tight quarters"

[molly361]

6 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I listened to john and he did not say wear a mask everywhere inside. He said in tight quarters, like waiting for comedy show. 

 

That being said not happy to have to get a covid test, but quoting him as saying everywhere inside... exaggeration. Not everywhere is tight quarters. .. though who wants to wear a mask anywhere. 

 

Just saying this isnt what was said. .. let's see how it works out.  Bummed enough.

Do you have to get tested on Carnival regardless of the length of the cruise?  

[A&L_Ont]

8 hours ago, jrapps said:

Open to interpretation. Their exact language has been posted:

 

All guests age 2 and older will be required to wear face masks in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino, except when eating or drinking. Guests will be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the Lido Buffet area and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate (signs will be posted). Additionally, masks are required at any indoor activity with children under 12 years, (i.e., Build-A-Bear®, Family Harbor, Sky Zone®)

 

So perhaps there wont be masks in hallways, but they left themselves wide open with anywhere "signs are posted". Basically any indoor entertainment area (casino, theater, comedy club, bar, etc) and in the dining room before you are seated.

 

They won't leave it to individuals interpretations of what any one person thinks is or is not "tight quarters"

It reads to be more areas masked than not about the ship.  Add in higher capacity than RC.  RC would be my pick if I had to make one. 

Edited August 5, 2021 by A&L_Ont

[firefly333]

3 hours ago, molly361 said:

Do you have to get tested on Carnival regardless of the length of the cruise?  

I havent read any language that says length makes a difference. The language where vaccinated get a pcr fast test and unvaccinated have to get another test has people talking on roll calls. One more thing to keep unvaccinated off the ships. 

 

Is there a limit to how many times your insurance will pay for it? I have quite a few cruises booked.

 

I'm not booking any more .. this was a step too far for me.

[KmomChicago]

14 hours ago, jrapps said:

I find it very ironic that the largest Cruise line is now voluntarily doing protocols more restrictive than the CSO. For all the hemming and hawing about that lawsuit....

 

I don't think we have seen the end of the surprises.

Because they have exceeded the CDC threshold for cases on all current revenue sailings.

[KmomChicago]

10 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Lol not me! I dont like it from either carnival or rcl. 

 

Lots are cancelling, and rates were already low from cancelling kids. Bet some capacity is down by tomorrow. This is one way to lower capacity. 

You have to wonder if that’s part of the strategy don’t you?

[Brew12]

1 hour ago, KmomChicago said:

Because they have exceeded the CDC threshold for cases on all current revenue sailings.

I've been trying to follow this, and I believe that every revenue cruise on every cruise line has ended up yellow for exceeding the CDC threshold. 

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, KmomChicago said:

You have to wonder if that’s part of the strategy don’t you?

Oh I'm sure. Carnival needs to make sure they keep cruising. It's about them surviving and being protected.

 

I'm expecting to see more deals. Looking at the bright side.

[Sunshine3601]

I was reading on carnival threads that on horizon and vista noone was enforcing the mask rule for the unvaxxed kids, so that's not good for them either.  That along with the fact they have been sailing at 75 or 80% capacity on recent sailings with no social distancing.  They were asking for problems.

 

Now some of their passengers are getting home and testing positive. 

 

Grant it they were vaccinated but doesnt help stopping the spread with traveling home and going back to work, etc etc.

[Brew12]

7 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I was reading on carnival threads that on horizon and vista noone was enforcing the mask rule for the unvaxxed kids, so that's not good for them either.  That along with the fact they have been sailing at 75 or 80% capacity on recent sailings with no social distancing.  They were asking for problems.

 

Now some of their passengers are getting home and testing positive. 

 

Grant it they were vaccinated but doesnt help stopping the spread with traveling home and going back to work, etc etc.

I doubt the 5% unvaccinated has much of an impact, masked or not. At least not in terms of positive tests or mild symptoms.

For instance, the J&J vaccine started at under a 70% efficacy rate (3 out of 10 people expected to have symptoms if exposed) compared to the mRNA vaccines that were 90%+. Those efficacy rates go down over time. 

So, the the type of vaccine and the length of time since vaccinations would be expected to have a larger impact than the 5% unvaccinated. 

 

I do think you are correct that the higher capacity is causing problems. More potentially infected people on board, tighter spaces, less air exchange per person indoors... much less room for error.