Back from the Carnival Sunrise...sharing some concerns...

[kwcruise]

After a long time of being locked up at home, and dealing with the issues around the pandemic that we all have been, I made the decision to take a five day cruise from December 18-23. I was cautious, yet reassured because of the policies that were in place by Carnival and the government on both sides. I did not resent at all, the confusion around the testing as I wanted to stay safe.

 

I was in the first group to board, having a 10 a.m. boarding call. We were in the lounge area for about an hour, a place in which masking was meant to be taking place. My friend and I observed many passengers either not wearing their masks, and several Carnival staff with their masks below their noses - one was a photographer who was waiting for the boarding to begin....you know, the person that stands there and starts off your vacation with a welcome pic?!  We started to feel a little concerned about our decision.

 

Upon boarding, we noted that many passengers were masked, but just as many inside the ship were not (I'm referring to people without food/drinks) or wore their masks below their noses. This issue increased, rather than descreased as the cruise went on. Thankfully, we had a balcony, so made the decision to get our food and bring it back to our cabin to eat throughout the majority of our cruise. (We ate in the dining room one night, and it was very crowded, and then on the lido deck on two occasions.) 

 

Some more observations/experiences:

 

1. I like to play blackjack and the casino was pretty empty compared to other trips I've taken. However, the dealers were NOT enforcing the masking policies at all. Hating to be "that" person, I made a complaint to the pit boss on duty the first night. She asked them to raise their masks, and mentioned to the son that he was not drinking so there was no need to have his mask down at all. The young man was rude and beligerant to her, and she told him that she would have him removed if the behaviour continued and walked away. She returned twice and asked him to mask properly on both occasions, to which on the last occasion the young man told her that people looked stupid with masks on and she just walked away. Both men then lowered their masks. I left.

 

2. The next night the same two men were again playing with masks down, and I spoke to the dealer who did nothing, so then went to speak to the pit boss (a man this time), who did nothing. In fact, he told me that the dealers were probably new and didn't know the rules. What?? I left.

 

3. My friend wanted to see a comedy show, and we went to the beginning of a PG show, and simply put, it was a sea of masks below noses...kids and adults. Trust me that drinks were not in front of most.

 

I'm sharing this information because when I returned I emailed my premier cruise director who informed me that things would probably change soon. I then attempted to connect with Carnival directly, but have had no luck.

 

In the end I tested negative, but was incredibly cautious during my trip, but wish I had not taken this cruise at this time. The staff was not concerned, and seemed nervous to approach drunk passengers about covid policies.

 

I have never written a post to complain, but feel this information is important to share.

[trtog7]

And this is why some cruises lines are having Covid cases and others are not.

Viking Ocean cruise are doing Covid tests on all passengers every day and what I can find out about masks they are being worn.

Feel much safer cruising on this cruise line.

[kwcruise]

19 minutes ago, trtog7 said:

And this is why some cruises lines are having Covid cases and others are not.

Viking Ocean cruise are doing Covid tests on all passengers every day and what I can find out about masks they are being worn.

Feel much safer cruising on this cruise line.

Yes, I understand this to be true about other cruise lines... I brought rapid tests with me and did them every day. Because I have had covid and seen the impact it can have, I'm a little extreme about taking precautions. I just thought it was worth posting my observations because the cruise line really leads us to believe that rules are in place and being enforced, you know? It's just not the case, and I think the staff are nervous about dealing with people who might be heavily intoxicated... Just guessing though.

 

[lots-of-km2]

@kwcruise  Apparently the CDC has started an investigation of this ship (see  https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/cruise-ship-color-status.html ).  Unknown if the investigation is related to your particular cruise, but the ship is under the microscope so to speak. 

 

As Carnival isn't responding to your inquiry, would you consider contacting the CDC directly with your observations?  Honestly, it would be in the public interest to do this. 

[kwcruise]

1 minute ago, lots-of-km2 said:

@kwcruise  Apparently the CDC has started an investigation of this ship (see  https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/cruise-ship-color-status.html ).  Unknown if the investigation is related to your particular cruise, but the ship is under the microscope so to speak. 

 

As Carnival isn't responding to your inquiry, would you consider contacting the CDC directly with your observations?  Honestly, it would be in the public interest to do this. 

I understand it started when we were on board. I was informed of this status already. I will be looking into contacts tomorrow.

[lots-of-km2]

1 minute ago, kwcruise said:

I will be looking into contacts tomorrow.

👍👍

... and unless Carnival staff have the backbone to enforce the company's Covid-19 protocols, the whole thing is meaningless 'theatre' that its passengers are trapped in. 

 

[broberts]

5 hours ago, lots-of-km2 said:

👍👍

... and unless Carnival staff have the backbone to enforce the company's Covid-19 protocols, the whole thing is meaningless 'theatre' that its passengers are trapped in. 

 

 

Staff can only have 'backbone' if heavily supported by management and corporate.

 

 

Edited December 26, 2021 by broberts

[Florida_gal_50]

I am very cautious as well.  I spent a lot of time at night in my room on my November cruise which I did prior to covid.  I simply don’t understand why people go on cruises when they know masks are required then get upset when they have to wear them.  That said, it happens every day at home too.