Updated Oct 14th: Mask Policy varies on Voyage Length

[LACruiser88]

Mask policy varies depending on voyage length.

 

Voyages less than 10 days:

First, we strongly encourage guests wear face masks when in public spaces indoors. ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators, retails shops, in the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate. As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board.

 

Voyages 10 days or longer:

All guests must wear face masks covering their nose and mouth while indoors at all times. Exceptions are made while they are eating or drinking, receiving spa treatments relating to the face, during high-intensity exercise, in pools, whirlpools or sauna, as well as in their stateroom.

 

General Mask Guidance:

We recommend guests wash or replace their mask daily and choose a good quality double-layer cloth or medical-grade mask. Please note that visors and face shields will not be accepted as a substitute for a face mask. Unvaccinated guests will be required to wear a face mask at all times while indoors, in accordance with health authority requirements.

Additionally, when going ashore, guests must be prepared to follow all local guidance regarding masks and physical distancing. The status of local guidelines will be shared with guests prior to debarkation at the destination.

 

These new requirements are being implemented to protect our guests and crew while onboard. Several destinations have implemented their own requirements and all guests will be required to follow the protocols in each destination we visit. We expect these requirements will be temporary and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard.

[Steelers36]

Seems like more Princess gobbledegook or word salad.  So, on a 7 or 8 night voyage, guests are just strongly encouraged to wear masks indoors.  But, if it is 10 nights then they must be worn at all times???!!

 

Can someone please explain what happens on a ship between Day 9 & Day 10?  So, in the second case, guests have to wear masks virtually all the time on Days 1 thru 9, but if they were on a ship for max 9 nights, then they have a choice as masks are only encouraged? 

 

And which rule applies for a guest on a B2B of 7-nights each?  They are on the ship for 14 nights, whereas other guests are on for 7.  Looks like two sets of rules.  Oh you say, well the B2B guest is actually on two shorter voyages, so masks are not a "must".  But how different are the B2B guests than those on a true 14-night voyage with no turnaround day?

 

I think every time they re-work these masking requirements, it gets more complicated and, yes, a little more absurd.  Imagine actually having to tell people they can remove masks in their staterooms!

 

Seems to me, they are treating everyone like unvaccinated who are supposed to also wear masks at all times indoors.  The three sections are poorly put together IMO.  One might read it to imply the unvaccinated have to eat with masks on.

 

[LACruiser88]

I am having a hard time seeing the difference between masking on a 7 day cruise and a 10 day cruise?  What am I missing???  Are there more germs on a 10 day cruise?

 

Maybe this is the new President's initiative?  He thought the Medallion app was a good idea!

[Crystal04]

I'm booked on a 20 day Caribbean cruise. They are requiring covid tests on board. If I'm being tested on board during the cruise, then  why is the mask policy stricter, when it should be more lenient. This is the tipping point for me. I don't want to be masked up for 20 days in the humidity and heat.

[nocl]

52 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

I am having a hard time seeing the difference between masking on a 7 day cruise and a 10 day cruise?  What am I missing???  Are there more germs on a 10 day cruise?

 

Maybe this is the new President's initiative?  He thought the Medallion app was a good idea!

With a 7 day cruise it is a short enough period that if an infectious person make it on board and infects other passengers, they will probably not be infectious until after the cruise ends.

 

With longer cruises that changes and there would be time for  any infected to also become infectious while on board. Thus the slightly tighter controls.

[nocl]

42 minutes ago, Crystal04 said:

I'm booked on a 20 day Caribbean cruise. They are requiring covid tests on board. If I'm being tested on board during the cruise, then  why is the mask policy stricter, when it should be more lenient. This is the tipping point for me. I don't want to be masked up for 20 days in the humidity and heat.

out doors where it is hot and humid masks not required

 

indoors where masks are required it is air conditioned and usually not hot and humid.

[nocl]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Seems like more Princess gobbledegook or word salad.  So, on a 7 or 8 night voyage, guests are just strongly encouraged to wear masks indoors.  But, if it is 10 nights then they must be worn at all times???!!

 

Can someone please explain what happens on a ship between Day 9 & Day 10?  So, in the second case, guests have to wear masks virtually all the time on Days 1 thru 9, but if they were on a ship for max 9 nights, then they have a choice as masks are only encouraged? 

 

And which rule applies for a guest on a B2B of 7-nights each?  They are on the ship for 14 nights, whereas other guests are on for 7.  Looks like two sets of rules.  Oh you say, well the B2B guest is actually on two shorter voyages, so masks are not a "must".  But how different are the B2B guests than those on a true 14-night voyage with no turnaround day?

 

I think every time they re-work these masking requirements, it gets more complicated and, yes, a little more absurd.  Imagine actually having to tell people they can remove masks in their staterooms!

 

Seems to me, they are treating everyone like unvaccinated who are supposed to also wear masks at all times indoors.  The three sections are poorly put together IMO.  One might read it to imply the unvaccinated have to eat with masks on.

 

It was my understanding that a B2B passenger has to get tested between the two legs. So a bit different.

 

It is really some on longer cruises there is time for multiple cycles of transmission to take place. On shorter cruises there might be time for an infected person to pass it on, but the cruise would end before the second level become infectious.  The longer the cruise the higher the risk of a larger outbreak if an infectious person makes it on board.

 

 

 

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

28 minutes ago, nocl said:

With a 7 day cruise it is a short enough period that if an infectious person make it on board and infects other passengers, they will probably not be infectious until after the cruise ends.

 

With longer cruises that changes and there would be time for  any infected to also become infectious while on board. Thus the slightly tighter controls.

 

That would be my understanding too.

 

[caribill]

2 hours ago, nocl said:

On shorter cruises there might be time for an infected person to pass it on, but the cruise would end before the second level become infectious.  The longer the cruise the higher the risk of a larger outbreak if an infectious person makes it on board.

 

Embarking passengers may have already been infected but not to the level that the require Covid-19 pre-cruise test can detect. Therefore it is possible on day one for an infected person to "pass it on."

 

It makes no sense to pretend transmission is less likely on shorter voyages.

[rj59]

Like much of mask policy and all the cleaning protocols, it gives the appearance of safety without actually following science of transmission. Transmission happens in indoor spaces over an extended period of time in areas with poor ventilation, which excludes elevators and shops or walking around the ship. The only viable spots for spread would be dining rooms, since people are there for over an hour, yet Princess has evidently made no attempts to ensure that all tables are at least 6 feet apart, that people aren't sitting close to people they don't know, or that they have enough staff to expedite dining. All the lines are using protocols based on 2020 understanding of science--nobody is in the hospital with Covid from touching tongs or a handrail. Anyhow, I understand they're trying to assure people and the CDC while trying to recover lost revenue, but it would be much easier of all the Carnival brands took the NCL approach--100% vaccinated, no exceptions, no masks unless you want to, enjoy your vacation.

 

In any case, I'm leaving on Majestic tomorrow and will just use common sense and deal with the rules, asking for a distanced table in the dining room and going where I feel comfortable--hopefully nobody is trying to enforce mask wear in the Hollywood covered pool or Conservatory. I also found that I feel much safer after getting my booster shot this week, whereas on my last cruise I felt more exposed and angry and judgmental over masks. The most important part for me is showing respect for crew members by covering up when I'm talking to them and not making them have to ask me to cover my nose, as I saw happen often on my last cruise.  

[cruisequeen4ever]

I’m not understanding the difference or the logic.

[Buckeye10640]

My upcoming cruise is exactly 10 days so unfortunately this applies to us.   Will of course comply but not so happy about the additional restriction/enhanced masking. I hope I dont regret not cancelling.

[TXcruiser13]

I think I’ll just take to constantly sipping from a bottle of water, just so I can breathe and try to enjoy some semblance of a normal vacation. 

[memoak]

Since they are testing during the longer cruises why the extra mask protocols ?  If they are serious then all smoking indoors should be banned as those folks will have masks off and spewing smoke for a long time.  Perhaps people on the first longer cruises will post to tell us what actually happened on cruises.  Our next longer cruise is a 16 day Hawaii cruise from Seattle at the end of March

[Buckeye10640]

4 minutes ago, memoak said:

Since they are testing during the longer cruises why the extra mask protocols ?  If they are serious then all smoking indoors should be banned as those folks will have masks off and spewing smoke for a long time.  Perhaps people on the first longer cruises will post to tell us what actually happened on cruises.  Our next longer cruise is a 16 day Hawaii cruise from Seattle at the end of March

I agree with the smoking comment 1000%.  If its risky for me to step outside my cabin door without a mask its way more risky to have the smoking in the casino (sorry smokers).

[LACruiser88]

Just now, Buckeye10640 said:

If its risky for me to step outside my cabin door without a mask its way more risky to have the smoking in the casino (sorry smokers).

Amen!!!

[San10s]

19 hours ago, nocl said:

With a 7 day cruise it is a short enough period that if an infectious person make it on board and infects other passengers, they will probably not be infectious until after the cruise ends.

 

With longer cruises that changes and there would be time for  any infected to also become infectious while on board. Thus the slightly tighter controls.

So is this backed up from statistics from recent cruises?  Publish the science that corresponds to this change in masking policy…. Publish the numbers.  
 

I am pretty sick of the goal post moving again… and again.  Princess has had my money for many months for several cruises.  I find this pushing me closer to cancellations (again) being a better choice.  In 2020, 4 great cruises were cancelled, of course.  Now in 2021 - 2022, it may end up being another 5 what I thought-to-be great cruises being cancelled. 😟
 

We got our two vaccinations, we’re next going to receive the booster and we’re going to get tested first 72 hour moved to 48 hours before boarding.  We were ready to wear masks as directed in the mandatory areas as stated when making those reservations.  So what will be next?  Right now, at least, I am pretty discouraged.  ☹️😖

 

I really want to cruise.  Maybe I will snap out of it….  And then the other shoe will drop…. AGAIN!

 

🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼

[nocl]

7 minutes ago, San10s said:

So is this backed up from statistics from recent cruises?  Publish the science that corresponds to this change in masking policy…. Publish the numbers.  
 

I am pretty sick of the goal post moving again… and again.  Princess has had my money for many months for several cruises.  I find this pushing me closer to cancellations (again) being a better choice.  In 2020, 4 great cruises were cancelled, of course.  Now in 2021 - 2022, it may end up being another 5 what I thought-to-be great cruises being cancelled. 😟
 

We got our two vaccinations, we’re next going to receive the booster and we’re going to get tested first 72 hour moved to 48 hours before boarding.  We were ready to wear masks as directed in the mandatory areas as stated when making those reservations.  So what will be next?  Right now, at least, I am pretty discouraged.  ☹️😖

 

I really want to cruise.  Maybe I will snap out of it….  And then the other shoe will drop…. AGAIN!

 

🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼

I posted the numbers based upon Ro vaccine efficacy and incubation time. It was deleted.

Edited October 16, 2021 by nocl

[whitecap]

So you have to be tested 2 days prior to cruise departure and if positive, you can't sail.  You have to wear face mask aboard ship is certain areas and in some cases, depending on the length of the cruise, you get tested while aboard.  What happened to the 100% vaccinated cruise?  What happened to requiring proof of vaccination before being allowed aboard ship?  We are so glad that we cancelled our late November 2021 cruise.  Prove you are vaccinated, show a negative test and then be put aboard a ship with unvaccinated people who are only required to wear a mask in certain areas.  Unbelievable!

[SargassoPirate]

26 minutes ago, Outerdog said:

 

Nope. Not because they disagree with what's posted. Because it violates the site's policy on covid discussion.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/announcement/473-please-read-covid-related-discussion/

 

We will NOT welcome debate or opinion about medical, scientific, or political aspects of the pandemic. There are a few often repeated trigger items that won’t be allowed: 

 

• No statistics about infection rates, 
• no discussions about where the virus may have started, 
• no dialogue about individual rights, 
• no commenting about after-effects of vaccinations,  
• no debate about whether vaccinations or masking are effective, 
• no anti-vaxxer or pro-vaxxer comments of any kind, 
• no discussions about which governor or politician or news personality did or said what.

 

 

Interesting that we can't post infection rates.  On October 4th, the CDC posted their breakthrough transmission rate date for vaccinated people.  I suggest you google for that information and draw your own conclusion about the scientific validity of covid restrictions and mandates.

 

 

[wowzz]

They have just updated the mask rules on UK sailings.  Basically masks to be worn at all times indoors, except when dining. In bars, a "sip and cover" policy is in force - very difficult to enforce,  especially as beer drinkers like me tend to be constantly  sipping.

[seapals2]

On 10/15/2021 at 6:39 PM, TXcruiser13 said:

I think I’ll just take to constantly sipping from a bottle of water, just so I can breathe and try to enjoy some semblance of a normal vacation. 

 

Nope .. you have got to ‘sip and cover’.  🤨

[SHIP TRAVELER]

In my opinion, different masking rules for different cruise lines will eventually effect this cruise lines bottom line.

[cruiseintoheaven]

Ugh.  We realllly want to cruise, last one was February 2020 on the Sky.  Currently booked on the Enchanted 2/28 10 night S. Caribbean.  We’ve lost a few folks on our roll call because of this.  
 

I feel like much of this is “Covid theatre” for lack of a better term.  I understand Princess wanting to keep pax/crew healthy for many reasons but this just seems confusing and like overkill.  Make it a requirement to be fully vaccinated and let people enjoy themselves.  I mean - am I nuts thinking that those of us itching to get back to cruising are already aware that a ship is not the safest place to be if you’re worried about Covid, but are happy/willing to assume that risk?!?

 

I’m sure I’m being short-sighted and not seeing the bigger picture.  Going to make final payment on our cruise at the last possible minute and see/read what pans out in reality.  

[Margarita Jane]

We will be on the 11/3 Regal TA. We have taken 3 cruises with Celebrity from Florida ports since August.  Masks were not required for vaccinated guests. Last I checked, the ships I was on, are shown as green on the CDC ship status. So the “no masks required for vaccinated “ seems to be working for Celebrity. Too bad Princess finds masks necessary.