My tips for cruising in 2021

[rj59]

1. After having to return to my cabin multiple times because I forgot my face mask, I started hanging it on the door handle as soon as I got to my cabin. I also put a spare in each pair of pants, just in case. 

2. I wore a loose cloth mask that I could pull down easily and breathe more easily when I just had to observe the rules (i.e., covered pool deck, walking the empty halls). When there were situations where I'd be in crowds for extended times and wanted to protect myself and others, I wore a surgical one.

3. Don't be the mask police. I found myself judging people for showing noses or not wearing masks, but in the end I just decided to stop the judging and frustration with behavior and policies I didn't agree with. As one woman next to me at dinner said about someone's bad behavior, "I'm here to enjoy my vacation and I'm not letting them have space in my head". I saw ugly confrontations between passengers over sitting too close in a showroom, and a guy showing up late to a 270 show and yelling at staff because there were blocked tables he couldn't sit at, and many others talking in the face of crew with their nose uncovered. Just show respect and realize there are no unmasked indoor facilities on Carnival or Princess, and they even require sip and lift in bars. 

4. Don't go to the Windjammer on the final morning, which on Ovation had no open tables at all, with a long line outside due to capacity controls. There are plenty of other options that are safer and less stressful. 

5. Speak up if you want a distanced dining table. I was packed into rows of two-tops in one dining room for lunch and dinner, which was stressful and unpleasant. I went to the other anytime dining room, asked for a distanced table, and ended up with a distanced one with a great server team, so I booked them every night. For breakfast/lunch, I found the blocked off tables in the Everyone dining room was much nicer, and the crowds much smaller than the Vaccinated-Only spots, so I went there the rest of the cruise. Smaller crowds meant the staff knew everyone, they always gave me my favorite distanced table by the window, and it was charming to watch some families with toddlers. 

6. Consider going to the late shows and dining later. It's much easier to find plenty of open space, even in the center section. Leave during the final note of a show or performer, and give applause as you're leaving the theater. Otherwise they make you sit there while the CD talks to you for 10 minutes and then makes everyone sit there and leave by sections, so you feel like you're in kindergarten, and you're stuck in the usual huge flow of people going elsewhere. I left quickly and went up or down a floor to avoid the crowds, and went out a back door on the upper floor of the 270, instead of the main entrance. Dining later meant I didn't have to have a late pizza fix, and could just go back to my room after the show and go to bed at 11. 

7. Do the recommended disembarkation morning practice of sitting in your room after breakfast until your number shows on the tv. The WJ was full of the usual crowds sitting there for hours with bags, which is unpleasant, unsafe, and inconsiderate for those who can't get inside or find a table to eat. Waiting in my room meant I was able to relax, eat snacks I'd kept in my fridge, and quickly walk off when my number was called, whereas people in the WJ were waiting for packed elevators. 

8. Most people don't care if you get on an elevator with 4 people or more to ride for 2 minutes, despite signs saying a 4-person limit,  but I made sure to ask, and I invited hesitant groups on who were afraid of breaking the rule (including 4 of the cute dancers who I'd admired in the Pixels and Legs shows). 

9. Bring a water bottle and travel thermos for coffee. They'll be happy to fill them for you, and it avoided a lot of irritating delays at the drinks stations. I sat in the back of the WJ, for more space and quiet, but often the drinks servers didn't come back there. 

10. Low capacity meant I could do things that before would be booked solid or that were out of my comfort zone, like the free North Star, bumper cars, or iFly. I was afraid of being too old for iFly, but it was a blast (literally), and I stopped by often to speak Russian with my cute Ukrainian iFly instructor, who I'd also admired in the Disco Party show. 

 

[Threedrones]

Thanks for some useful hints.

[pcur]

For those of us wearing lanyards, it's easy to clip the straps of a mask on when in an area not requiring a mask, but you have it available when needed.

[firefly333]

Lol it wouldnt occur to me to be the mask police. I'd be the one sneaking it off now and then so I feel like I can breath. 

 

I never wear one at home except to a doctors office. 

[3kidsncats]

#3 — No where in their protocol requirements does it say “sip and lift” or any form of that.  It doesn’t mention masking in bars at all and says dining room is masked to and from table only.  How was this policy conveyed on your cruise?  I’m fine with masking, but the take off and put back on between sips is not something I’m keen on.  Very curious what other cruisers on Princes have experienced.

 

#5 Good to know, will ask for socially distanced from the get go

 

#8 I don’t know that “most” people don’t care about exceeding 4 in an elevator.  This came up in conversation a few times during our two weeks on a different cruise (RC) and my impression was people generally seemed happier with no more than 4.  Maybe I was just gravitating to like minded people.  

[GStanMus]

Thanks for all the great tips.  You mentioned that North Star was free.  How did they happend? I thought there was a fee for that.

[gumshoe958]

4 minutes ago, GStanMus said:

Thanks for all the great tips.  You mentioned that North Star was free.  How did they happend? I thought there was a fee for that.

There are both free, short sessions and paid for, longer ones.

[PhillyFan33579]

52 minutes ago, 3kidsncats said:

#3 — No where in their protocol requirements does it say “sip and lift” or any form of that.  It doesn’t mention masking in bars at all and says dining room is masked to and from table only.  How was this policy conveyed on your cruise?  I’m fine with masking, but the take off and put back on between sips is not something I’m keen on.  Very curious what other cruisers on Princes have experienced.

 

#5 Good to know, will ask for socially distanced from the get go

 

#8 I don’t know that “most” people don’t care about exceeding 4 in an elevator.  This came up in conversation a few times during our two weeks on a different cruise (RC) and my impression was people generally seemed happier with no more than 4.  Maybe I was just gravitating to like minded people.  

I believe the OP was referring to policies on Carnival and Princess ships with the sip and lift comment.  

[Ocean Boy]

Reading the OP's post makes me think that I'd rather stay home.

[molly361]

17 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Reading the OP's post makes me think that I'd rather stay home.

And you are, aren't you?😇

[Bleueyes44]

I had to laugh when I read the first line, I also would get all the way to the elevator and realize I forgot my mask.  We were in the last balcony cabin aft so it was quite a trek back.  After 23 times I started carrying 2 spares.

Funny thing was I also was on the Ovation and people really didn't adhere much to the 4 people rule in the elevators. But I must say most of the time they were empty  which was refreshing.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

And you are, aren't you?😇

I haven't decided yet. I have until the middle of December with the new delay in final payment.

[maggieq]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Reading the OP's post makes me think that I'd rather stay home.

I love RCCL and we will get back to them soon. We chose celebrity for our first cruise as we wished to enjoy every minute and we did.  😊 

[3kidsncats]

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I believe the OP was referring to policies on Carnival and Princess ships with the sip and lift comment.  

Yes, I’m on a Princess cruise leaving this Wednesday, so I was curious about this comment because that info wasn’t listed in Princess’s protocols.  

 

I’m also on an upcoming NCL, and upcoming Royal lol.  

Edited October 2, 2021 by 3kidsncats

[cynt]

7 hours ago, rj59 said:

1. After having to return to my cabin multiple times because I forgot my face mask, I started hanging it on the door handle as soon as I got to my cabin. I also put a spare in each pair of pants, just in case. 

2. I wore a loose cloth mask that I could pull down easily and breathe more easily when I just had to observe the rules (i.e., covered pool deck, walking the empty halls). When there were situations where I'd be in crowds for extended times and wanted to protect myself and others, I wore a surgical one.

3. Don't be the mask police. I found myself judging people for showing noses or not wearing masks, but in the end I just decided to stop the judging and frustration with behavior and policies I didn't agree with. As one woman next to me at dinner said about someone's bad behavior, "I'm here to enjoy my vacation and I'm not letting them have space in my head". I saw ugly confrontations between passengers over sitting too close in a showroom, and a guy showing up late to a 270 show and yelling at staff because there were blocked tables he couldn't sit at, and many others talking in the face of crew with their nose uncovered. Just show respect and realize there are no unmasked indoor facilities on Carnival or Princess, and they even require sip and lift in bars. 

4. Don't go to the Windjammer on the final morning, which on Ovation had no open tables at all, with a long line outside due to capacity controls. There are plenty of other options that are safer and less stressful. 

5. Speak up if you want a distanced dining table. I was packed into rows of two-tops in one dining room for lunch and dinner, which was stressful and unpleasant. I went to the other anytime dining room, asked for a distanced table, and ended up with a distanced one with a great server team, so I booked them every night. For breakfast/lunch, I found the blocked off tables in the Everyone dining room was much nicer, and the crowds much smaller than the Vaccinated-Only spots, so I went there the rest of the cruise. Smaller crowds meant the staff knew everyone, they always gave me my favorite distanced table by the window, and it was charming to watch some families with toddlers. 

6. Consider going to the late shows and dining later. It's much easier to find plenty of open space, even in the center section. Leave during the final note of a show or performer, and give applause as you're leaving the theater. Otherwise they make you sit there while the CD talks to you for 10 minutes and then makes everyone sit there and leave by sections, so you feel like you're in kindergarten, and you're stuck in the usual huge flow of people going elsewhere. I left quickly and went up or down a floor to avoid the crowds, and went out a back door on the upper floor of the 270, instead of the main entrance. Dining later meant I didn't have to have a late pizza fix, and could just go back to my room after the show and go to bed at 11. 

7. Do the recommended disembarkation morning practice of sitting in your room after breakfast until your number shows on the tv. The WJ was full of the usual crowds sitting there for hours with bags, which is unpleasant, unsafe, and inconsiderate for those who can't get inside or find a table to eat. Waiting in my room meant I was able to relax, eat snacks I'd kept in my fridge, and quickly walk off when my number was called, whereas people in the WJ were waiting for packed elevators. 

8. Most people don't care if you get on an elevator with 4 people or more to ride for 2 minutes, despite signs saying a 4-person limit,  but I made sure to ask, and I invited hesitant groups on who were afraid of breaking the rule (including 4 of the cute dancers who I'd admired in the Pixels and Legs shows). 

9. Bring a water bottle and travel thermos for coffee. They'll be happy to fill them for you, and it avoided a lot of irritating delays at the drinks stations. I sat in the back of the WJ, for more space and quiet, but often the drinks servers didn't come back there. 

10. Low capacity meant I could do things that before would be booked solid or that were out of my comfort zone, like the free North Star, bumper cars, or iFly. I was afraid of being too old for iFly, but it was a blast (literally), and I stopped by often to speak Russian with my cute Ukrainian iFly instructor, who I'd also admired in the Disco Party show. 

 

Thanks for your feedback. Your recommendations are pretty much what I anticipated. After we did 7 days at Disney masked up in 90 degree weather, we can mask up anywhere and anytime. Its 2nd nature to us. We're vaccinated and still where our mask while we're out and about.

[late2cruisin]

2 hours ago, 3kidsncats said:

Yes, I’m on a Princess cruise leaving this Wednesday, so I was curious about this comment because that info wasn’t listed in Princess’s protocols.  

 

I’m also on an upcoming NCL, and upcoming Royal lol.  

We were on a Princess cruise (Majestic) last month.  There was no "sip and lift" or anything like that. If you were eating or drinking, you could remove your mask. If not, you were supposed to stay masked in indoor venues (during trivia, shows, etc.) and people generally complied.  I actually felt safer on Princess since there were no unvaccinated guests (i.e. no children)

[3kidsncats]

10 minutes ago, late2cruisin said:

We were on a Princess cruise (Majestic) last month.  There was no "sip and lift" or anything like that. If you were eating or drinking, you could remove your mask. If not, you were supposed to stay masked in indoor venues (during trivia, shows, etc.) and people generally complied.  I actually felt safer on Princess since there were no unvaccinated guests (i.e. no children)

So glad to hear, as that was what I was expecting. We had similar on our royal cruise, except for the kids.  We felt very safe the whole time.

[JamesEM]

As for me I'm going wait booking a cruise until things get back to "normal,"

[hardinggrad]

We bought magnetic hooks from Amazon and used them to hang up our masks (and hats) by the door. Otherwise, I too would have forgotten mine.  

[firefly333]

9 hours ago, 3kidsncats said:

So glad to hear, as that was what I was expecting. We had similar on our royal cruise, except for the kids.  We felt very safe the whole time.

Royal has vaccinated areas like shows and casino and places inside you can take off your mask. Carnival and princess do not. There is a big difference to me. I disliked wearing a mask during shows and quit going after the 3rd night. 

[3kidsncats]

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Royal has vaccinated areas like shows and casino and places inside you can take off your mask. Carnival and princess do not. There is a big difference to me. I disliked wearing a mask during shows and quit going after the 3rd night. 

I don't tend to go to shows much, other than the comedians, and never hit the casino, so shouldn't be big issue on our princess sailing (which is just a three night anyway).  We managed to attend an "everyone" ice show on Adventure in August and it wasn't a big deal.

 

I think the on and off aspect of a lift and sip policy is just too much hassle unless I'm on an airplane packed with people

[firefly333]

Just now, 3kidsncats said:

I don't tend to go to shows much, other than the comedians, and never hit the casino, so shouldn't be big issue on our princess sailing (which is just a three night anyway).  We managed to attend an "everyone" ice show on Adventure in August and it wasn't a big deal.

 

I think the on and off aspect of a lift and sip policy is just too much hassle unless I'm on an airplane packed with people

No one has a lift and sip policy. I just did carnival and mask rules are clear. I saw no one doing a lift and sip. 

 

It was people joking before cruises started about cdc ridiculous rules. Maybe you can find someone who does this but it is not a policy anyone on any review I have read is doing or saw being done. 

 

If you are eating or sitting at a bar masks are not required. If in a elevator masks are required. Simple. 

 

To me the mask rules do make a difference, if they dont to you great. All my plrts required them and it also meant I spent a lot less time shopping in ports. Hot and muggy. Paper masks tend to get wet from your breathing when its muggy or mine did. 

 

I'm still cruising but prefer rcl mask policy. Spending less time in ports until masks arent required.

[3kidsncats]

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

No one has a lift and sip policy. I just did carnival and mask rules are clear. I saw no one doing a lift and sip. 

 

It was people joking before cruises started about cdc ridiculous rules. Maybe you can find someone who does this but it is not a policy anyone on any review I have read is doing or saw being done. 

 

If you are eating or sitting at a bar masks are not required. If in a elevator masks are required. Simple. 

 

To me the mask rules do make a difference, if they dont to you great. All my plrts required them and it also meant I spent a lot less time shopping in ports. Hot and muggy. Paper masks tend to get wet from your breathing when its muggy or mine did. 

 

I'm still cruising but prefer rcl mask policy. Spending less time in ports until masks arent required.

The OP listed a lift and sip policy in bars onboard Carnival and Princess cruises, which is what I was questioning.  I guess you didn't read post #1 of this thread.  I wasn't referring to the fear mongering of 4ish months ago.

 

It was incredibly hot and muggy in the Bahamas during our two weeks onboard Adventure, but even outdoors masking didn't bother us too much.  But I make our masks, and use silk, which has better temperature attributes than many other fabrics.  

[mac_tlc]

We have done three since July and have another at the end of the month. For us, the masking requirements are no big deal. On Allure and Oasis, where masks are required inside, at Cafe Promenade if you had a drink or food you certainly can sit at the table maskless the whole time. When you get up to leave, put it on. 
 

The elevator limit is posted as six or your group. I found people very respectful of the protocol. Once we had seven and it was fine. But I am glad there is no more packing in 20 people. I’d not miss that. 
 

[firefly333]

24 minutes ago, 3kidsncats said:

The OP listed a lift and sip policy in bars onboard Carnival and Princess cruises, which is what I was questioning.  I guess you didn't read post #1 of this thread.  I wasn't referring to the fear mongering of 4ish months ago.

 

It was incredibly hot and muggy in the Bahamas during our two weeks onboard Adventure, but even outdoors masking didn't bother us too much.  But I make our masks, and use silk, which has better temperature attributes than many other fabrics.  

Always argumentative your posts or saying someone doesnt know. ..

 

Saying well I must not have read post 1 if I didnt agree with the fact you mentioned a lift and sip policy. 

 

Ok