COVID 19 Protocol Update

[rj59]

In reality, I found on the Miracle a few weeks ago that they had entertainment staff trying to enforce sip and cover in the main showroom and packed comedy club, although the comedy club manager said he knew most people would just drop their masks after the lights went down anyway. 

 

I've received a full refund on several Carnival cruises because I didn't agree with changed protocols, which is a good reason to book through a TA to spend the hour or more on hold for you. 

 

I'd be happy if more people canceled, because I felt uncomfortable with so many people on Carnival after 30% occupancy on Princess and Royal ships. I also remember seeing $40 solo 4-night fares on Miracle a while back, and I saw a temporary sale on Radiance for $130 for a solo balcony and on Panorama for a $230 solo balcony. I try to avoid getting stressed over the mask rules and people who want them rigidly enforced and who judge others, and the opposite crowd who flout the rules and daringly display their nose. I just feel sorry for and try to be respectful of the crew who have to enforce the rules while wearing uncomfortable KN95 masks all day in hot kitchens and even outside. I also use mask rules as reasons to stay outside more or to sit in the buffet, and not to show up for boarding until the afternoon, when the long, sweaty, close lines in the Long Beach terminal are done. 

[ellie1145]

5 minutes ago, wkucrprez said:

I can do that. I'll give a report a few days in as to how my protest is going.  I didn't wear a mask on the Horizon in September except in the elevators (I stayed out of Comedy Club,  buffet and Piano Bar). Not a word was said to me about a mask in the casino due to the money I spend. I won't wear one. If asked, I'll politely say,  "no thanks" and continue. I had no warning about this. They can't do this without warning. Who can find new vacation plans in less than 24 hours at Christmas???

OMG! Is this for real?
 

Will certainly avoid Horizon if this is the way passengers and Carnival cruise line operate.🙀😷

[alpha0meqa]

Am I stupid or did they relax the mask requirements from requested to reccomend in Feb and March? Recommend means you should but don't have to? This sounds good to me? If you want to wear one you can, if you don't want to you don't have to... 

[Domergirl]

2 hours ago, K_e_short said:

 

I cruise Dec 26th and did not get the email. But.. I had blocked Carnival emails for a while and I may not have changed my settings correctly.

I cruise Dec 26th and I didn't get it either.  When I did the online check-in, I realized the travel agency (just a random one that had a good price) had typed nonsense emails in...so I get why I wasn't receiving emails prior to check in.  Now that I've corrected it...I thought I'd get them.  But nope.

 

[surfone]

We sail on Holland (a Carnival owned line)  next month.  We have not received a letter yet on mask change requirements.  

[travelplus]

16 hours ago, mac21902 said:

I am so happy for no smoking in the Casino!

[mondello]

6 minutes ago, wkucrprez said:

You're welcome sir... it's my pleasure!

I still can't believe you have to get off, shuttle, and reboard in a different city. Most likely a first ever for a B2B!

We check-in at 3:00, hoping to get lunch at Versailles but unsure because of luggage.

Edited December 18, 2021 by mondello
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[monykalyn]

2 hours ago, rj59 said:

r boarding until the afternoon, when the long, sweaty, close lines in the Long Beach terminal are done. 

Good tip! Thanks. Still debating on pushing back the cruise-timing isn’t great now for us anyway…will see what reality looks like in the next week or so

[ccd228]

Well on my Magic cruise next month I was going to get the Spa Thermal suite for the week. But no way I'm paying for that if a mask is expected. Some of those steam rooms I can barely breathe in. Add a mask to it and I'm passing out. 

[Babr]

5 hours ago, kconn said:

So if you purchased the insurance and choose to cancel or reschedule will there be a penalty?  Right now Carnival.com appears to be down to look at my booking, etc.

It depends on the policy you have. If it includes Cancel For Any Reason, you can cancel and be compensated according to the terms of the policy.

 

Otherwise, you have to cancel for a covered reason like illness. Generally, just not wanting to travel or a change of cruise line requirements is not covered. Read your policy to be sure. Look for the sections that explain covered reasons for cancellation and the one that lists exclusions.

[rodndonna]

4 hours ago, surfone said:

We sail on Holland (a Carnival owned line)  next month.  We have not received a letter yet on mask change requirements.  

 

I think that is because HAL already had the mask requirement so there is nothing to change. This sounds like Carnival implementing what HAL is already doing.

[bafinegan]

9 hours ago, Fredric22 said:

Yes please report back. I'd really like to know if it's "mask up between bites and sips" in the lounges/bars.  

THe new rules state mask up between sips in the casino.  Masks can still be removed while eating/drinking in other venues. 

 

"All guests, ages two and above, are requested to wear masks at all times when indoors, except when eating or drinking or when in their own staterooms and when outdoors if in large gatherings and physical distancing cannot be maintained. As advised by health authorities, guests are recommended to use higher grade masks indoors."  

 

"

 

CASINO (UPDATED DECEMBER 17, 2021)

For sailings through January 31, 2022 –
The following COVID-19 protocols will be implemented fleet-wide as we respond to the Omicron variant:

• There is no smoking in the casino at all times.
• Guests must wear a facemask and “sip and cover” when drinking their beverage.
• Seats at gaming tables and slots are reserved for players only.
• The casino bar is open but is a no-smoking area.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on board during refueling.

[Fredric22]

5 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Sip and cover is not new. You are free to choose other vacations; you aren't free to infect others.

 

The old normal is gone. There will be a new normal. Looking after public health is about saving lives - too many were lost needlessly. The virus disrupted society and will continue to do so, especially as more and more people ignore reality and rules.

Sip and cover is new actually. Was on Mardi Gras in July and that was only a thing in the casino. Stop with the stawman arguments about me infecting others. It is perfectly fine to disagree about policies. If you don't like people who have different opinions you should probably not enter "cruise critic"...

Edited December 18, 2021 by Fredric22

[Fredric22]

3 minutes ago, bafinegan said:

THe new rules state mask up between sips in the casino.  Masks can still be removed while eating/drinking in other venues. 

 

"All guests, ages two and above, are requested to wear masks at all times when indoors, except when eating or drinking or when in their own staterooms and when outdoors if in large gatherings and physical distancing cannot be maintained. As advised by health authorities, guests are recommended to use higher grade masks indoors."  

 

"

 

CASINO (UPDATED DECEMBER 17, 2021)

For sailings through January 31, 2022 –
The following COVID-19 protocols will be implemented fleet-wide as we respond to the Omicron variant:

• There is no smoking in the casino at all times.
• Guests must wear a facemask and “sip and cover” when drinking their beverage.
• Seats at gaming tables and slots are reserved for players only.
• The casino bar is open but is a no-smoking area.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on board during refueling.

Unfortunately the word from the Mardi Gras is that sip and cover has been extended to all indoor venues. 

[bafinegan]

5 minutes ago, Fredric22 said:

Unfortunately the word from the Mardi Gras is that sip and cover has been extended to all indoor venues. 

Funny, I have friends onboard and they are saying once seated at your dining venue, the masks can come off.  Once done and leaving your table, mask need to be back on..(shrug)  Guess I will see in about 2 weeks.

[RoperDK]

52 minutes ago, Fredric22 said:

However, whoever is behind their protocols needs to go back to the drawing board and implement masking practices that are reasonable.  After all, this is supposed to be a vacation.  With so many other options out there, a cruise is an already tough sell right now... add on the "sip and cover" mask rules and I think you lose another huge chunk of people. 

 

I totally agree about "sip and cover".  We did that in the casino last Mardi Gras cruise, but enjoyed a more normal experience at other bars onboard. That option is over unless you go outside.  Unfortunately, my Jan. 15 Mardi Gras cruise cannot be canceled or moved with FCC.  Carnival has you trapped.  I am disappointed that they will charge penalties for those who wish to cancel.  They have allowed me to do that before when new restrictions were announced.

 

 

5 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Sip and cover is not new. You are free to choose other vacations; you aren't free to infect others.

 

The old normal is gone. There will be a new normal. Looking after public health is about saving lives - too many were lost needlessly. The virus disrupted society and will continue to do so, especially as more and more people ignore reality and rules.

 

While "sip and cover" is technically not new, it has been modified.  It was restricted (rightfully so, IMO) to crowded venues.  Now ALL indoor bars are "sip and cover".  I accept that things are not normal now, but when we were on Mardi Gras over Halloween there was reduced capacity.  Many times the indoor bars were only partially full, allowing for social distancing.  Carnival has upped its occupancy and now venues are crowded so they make us "sip and cover".  Other cruise lines are still at reduced capacity.  I feel that Carnival has put profits over our cruise experience. Just my opinion.

   

4 minutes ago, bafinegan said:

THe new rules state mask up between sips in the casino.  Masks can still be removed while eating/drinking in other venues. 

 

"All guests, ages two and above, are requested to wear masks at all times when indoors, except when eating or drinking or when in their own staterooms and when outdoors if in large gatherings and physical distancing cannot be maintained. As advised by health authorities, guests are recommended to use higher grade masks indoors."  

 

"

 

CASINO (UPDATED DECEMBER 17, 2021)

For sailings through January 31, 2022 –
The following COVID-19 protocols will be implemented fleet-wide as we respond to the Omicron variant:

• There is no smoking in the casino at all times.
• Guests must wear a facemask and “sip and cover” when drinking their beverage.
• Seats at gaming tables and slots are reserved for players only.
• The casino bar is open but is a no-smoking area.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on board during refueling.

 

There is a live report onboard Mardi Gras now.  They have reported that ALL inside bars are under "sip and cover" rules. 

 

 

[Fredric22]

18 minutes ago, bafinegan said:

Funny, I have friends onboard and they are saying once seated at your dining venue, the masks can come off.  Once done and leaving your table, mask need to be back on..(shrug)  Guess I will see in about 2 weeks.

Just dining venues or bars/lounges too?

[RoperDK]

16 minutes ago, bafinegan said:

Funny, I have friends onboard and they are saying once seated at your dining venue, the masks can come off.  Once done and leaving your table, mask need to be back on..(shrug)  Guess I will see in about 2 weeks.

"Sip and cover" applies to bars and other entertainment venues.  There isn't a  "bite and cover" protocol in effect.  I have no idea how you could actually do that in my opinion.  Lol, I'd have to have a new mask after every meal!  

[RoperDK]

2 minutes ago, Fredric22 said:

Just dining venues or bars/lounges too?

You are now required to mask up at indoor bars/lounges. Dining venues are the same as they were....mask while "on the move" and then masks can be removed once seated.   

[RoperDK]

1 minute ago, Fredric22 said:

Exactly!  I'm curious to see what kind of response I get when I request a cancelation on Monday. 

 

John Heald posted a video this morning clarifying whether boosters would be required. FYI...they are not at this time.  He also stated that they would be applying penalties to those who wanted to cancel.  I don't actually mind Carnival tightening their protocols.  Omicron will probably be terrible, even if people don't get as sick.  I am a bit nervous about traveling right after the holidays when things might be spiking.  When I booked, cases were dying down and I felt pretty confident about going.  Now, not so much.  Nobody can predict the path of this virus.  We need to be flexible.  I wish that Carnival would continue their policy of allowing people to cancel for FCC.  I don't like the new "sip and cover" rules at all indoor venues.  We are very careful and only unmask when away from others.  This was possible at uncrowded bars in the fall.  Other cruise lines allow for cancellations within 48 hours of sailing for FCC.  I will book with them in the future.

[mz-s]

I am glad to see that the casinos have gone non-smoking. That should mean that now the only smoking area on the ship is one outdoor area correct?

 

The sip and cover, mask everywhere rules, are incredibly disappointing. Why go through all the prove vaccine, test negative, etc., rigamarole. Everyone on the ship is negative for COVID and at least 95% of the souls onboard are vaccinated. The masks are stupid in my opinion on the ships. My governor told me this past summer "if you get your shot you don't need your mask anymore" and that is the last time I believed a politician. I should have known better.

 

My next cruise is end of February. I hope these mask policies do indeed expire by then. But I'd be glad if they never allow smoking in the casino again. I'm sure many of the casino employees feel the same way.

[2wheelin]

5 hours ago, ccd228 said:

Well on my Magic cruise next month I was going to get the Spa Thermal suite for the week. But no way I'm paying for that if a mask is expected. Some of those steam rooms I can barely breathe in. Add a mask to it and I'm passing out. 

Best check if you are counting on the steam room. Have no idea about ships, but our gym still hasn’t opened the steam room or whirlpool. Masks required in all other areas except the pool.

[audcc77]

I realize that we have the Omicron variant spreading and that seems to be the reason for this latest change in masking etc., however, it would seem to me that Carnival jumped the gun a little sooner than it should have when it started increasing capacity these last few weeks.  
 

With all these people now crowding onto the ships, maybe this is increasing the need for masking  inside.   🤔

[Jelly_Toast]

I was just on a cruise last month. Sip and Cover was in effect then, it’s not new with this change. We wore masks pretty much all the time, it was worth it just to cruise again. Aside from not having to breathe in smoke while walking by/through the casino I feel like for me personally this will change little about my March cruise experience. 

 

By far the worst thing about this is not wearing a mask, it’s the reality of how many people just don’t care about anyone else but themselves and how rampant ignorance runs in our society. 

[Computer Nerd]

10 hours ago, mz-s said:

I am glad to see that the casinos have gone non-smoking. That should mean that now the only smoking area on the ship is one outdoor area correct?

 

The sip and cover, mask everywhere rules, are incredibly disappointing. Why go through all the prove vaccine, test negative, etc., rigamarole. Everyone on the ship is negative for COVID and at least 95% of the souls onboard are vaccinated. The masks are stupid in my opinion on the ships. My governor told me this past summer "if you get your shot you don't need your mask anymore" and that is the last time I believed a politician. I should have known better.

 

My next cruise is end of February. I hope these mask policies do indeed expire by then. But I'd be glad if they never allow smoking in the casino again. I'm sure many of the casino employees feel the same way.

All Carnival ships have 2 outdoor smoking areas. Usually one on an upper deck and one on a mid-level deck. On the Mardi Gras it's deck 17 and 8. On the Conquest class it's deck 10 and 5.