TeeRick Posted January 7, 2022 #51 Share Posted January 7, 2022 27 minutes ago, D C said: The masking is being done as much (or more) for perception than to actually impact the spread, especially when masks aren't N95 and they're allowed to be removed while in close contact with others. "Wear it while walking down the hall alone, but take it off when you get to the martini bar" is certainly a peculiar strategy if driven by health. But, they go on quick and won't stop us from cruising. Sad but true! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SbbquilterUT Posted January 7, 2022 #52 Share Posted January 7, 2022 At this point I am no longer willing to put life adventures away - I am retired and want to enjoy travel as long as I am able. We are looking forward to boarding Jan 23 if all continues to go well. With community positive test rate of over 20% (which does not count home tests) I will isolate at home 7 days before we fly to reduce the chance of exposure and then head off for a wonderful time. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare morpheusofthesea Posted January 7, 2022 #53 Share Posted January 7, 2022 19 hours ago, oskidunker said: We have aSept cruise from Southampton If one should be living presently within driving distance of a cruise port, it would be the wisest to consider that the only cruises right now. Too many passengers are getting caught testing positive with no help after they debark from the ship and have to fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribeFan Posted January 7, 2022 #54 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I've done two cruises on HAL (November Eurodam and December Nieuw Amsterdam). HAL requires masks be worn at all times indoors except while eating or drinking. Did I like it? Of course not. Would I sail again? Absolutely! Yes, it is pretty silly to require masks while playing in the casino, even when you have a drink (have to remove it to take a sip and immediately replace it), yet you can go to afternoon tea, sit elbow-to-elbow with strangers and it's perfectly OK to take off you mask for the entire time. HAL is 100% vaccinated pax and crew. And the crew wears their masks at all times. Only crew members not wearing masks were the folks performing in the shows. Even the BB Kings band members were putting on masks when they walked off stage for their breaks. I did buy KN95 masks to wear on the flights. I was much more concerned about the flights than I was the cruise. Both times, tested myself the day I returned, just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCPIV Posted January 7, 2022 #55 Share Posted January 7, 2022 We recently were on a 15-night cruise where masks were required indoors when not eating or drinking. It was no big deal at all. We're about to sail on a 7-nighter where masks are required indoors when not eating or drinking. It'll be no big deal at all. We don't mind masks and won't start now, but that's us. We'd prefer to do without masks, but that's not where we are at the moment. For those that can't do it for one reason or another or just don't like it, y'all do what works for you. Here's hoping we all can toast around the bar without masks soon! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare morpheusofthesea Posted January 7, 2022 #56 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Funny thing about this mask question. We cancelled all our cruises on ships that required masks and have sailed on the Celebrity ships 6x since July 2021. Our last one a few days ago on the Equinox we had to mask up for several days at the end.( 25% of the guests still refused to mask up, but that is besides the point (self enforcement only on the ship). It wasn't so bad after all. So now we are in the 'okay to cruise with a mask' camp. We had such a good time cruising again, it was worth the slight inconvenience the mask created. The CDC might be lifting the CSO order, which may be an indication that the deadly phase of the pandemic has passed ? Our only fear, presently. is not catching the virus as the fear of testing positive for possibly ??? 6 months (long covid?) and then not be able to get back on board for 6 months. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cgolf1 Posted January 7, 2022 #57 Share Posted January 7, 2022 (edited) With the numbers being seen nationwide and the data on the latest strain, the only way I will cruise is if masks are required. We will have enough of the KN95s to last the whole trip. Is it perfect, nope but the best you can do right now. At some point we need to find a balance of having a life and keeping ourselves safe. This would be our first out of state vacation since our last cruise in 2020. Also this could last a long time, and who would have thought that this winter would be as bad as it is. Edited January 7, 2022 by cgolf1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare oskidunker Posted January 7, 2022 Author #58 Share Posted January 7, 2022 3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said: If one should be living presently within driving distance of a cruise port, it would be the wisest to consider that the only cruises right now. Too many passengers are getting caught testing positive with no help after they debark from the ship and have to fly. Great advice. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia100 Posted January 7, 2022 #59 Share Posted January 7, 2022 No, not with the $ it cost me. Cancelled 2/21. If still applicable in 8/8 for my Beyond cruise I may give in to visit Italy snd Greece. Been there once, dying to go back. Been in the Caribbean about 35 times on most the islands multiple times so I can pass if not the way I want it- without masks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRWhit Posted January 7, 2022 #60 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I would say “No” to cruising with an indoor mask requirement at present. We were fortunate to take three cruises in 2021, all without an indoor mask requirement, so I will be able to wait until Omicron hopefully burns through and indoor masks are no longer required. I think it’s OK that folks love travel and cruising so much that they are willing to ignore the current CDC advice to avoid cruises, regardless of masking requirements. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southernbreezes Posted January 8, 2022 #61 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Masks do help stop the spread, even cloth masks not sure why people keep spreading misinformation. I have stage 4 COPD and have no problem wearing a mask...no one should find one that fits and wear it. I have not even had a cold in 2 years because of mask wearing yes I love that the cruise lines are requiring masks. Below is from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html#:~:text=A study of an outbreak,70% reduced risk. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southernbreezes Posted January 8, 2022 #62 Share Posted January 8, 2022 19 hours ago, DRWhit said: I think it’s OK that folks love travel and cruising so much that they are willing to ignore the current CDC advice to avoid cruises, regardless of masking requirements. I ignore it because everyone is vaccinated and tested before getting on a cruise so to me this is a safe as you can expect. What does not make sense is is it ok to go to a resort in Florida without wearing a mask, without being vaccinated or tested? Nothing about going to a football game with 60.000 to 100,000 screaming no one wearing a mask. No, I think it is easy for them to say no cruising and it just makes no sense. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia100 Posted January 9, 2022 #63 Share Posted January 9, 2022 (edited) Sorry , I don’t wear them here at all, I’m not wearing them while spending thousands of $. I’ll pass until it changes again. The cdc is pretty much irrelevant these days as to what they think, Edited January 9, 2022 by Virginia100 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted January 9, 2022 #64 Share Posted January 9, 2022 On 1/7/2022 at 10:57 AM, SbbquilterUT said: At this point I am no longer willing to put life adventures away - I am retired and want to enjoy travel as long as I am able. We are looking forward to boarding Jan 23 if all continues to go well. With community positive test rate of over 20% (which does not count home tests) I will isolate at home 7 days before we fly to reduce the chance of exposure and then head off for a wonderful time. I agree with you 100%, we are retired (2020) and have now lost 2 prime travel years of our retirement. We refuse to lose anymore travel years and have 8 future cruises booked, unless they are canceled only our death will keep us home. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted January 9, 2022 #65 Share Posted January 9, 2022 A cruise ship with or without mask is safer than being on an airplane or going to the grocery store. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
as3369 Posted January 9, 2022 #66 Share Posted January 9, 2022 49 minutes ago, terrydtx said: I agree with you 100%, we are retired (2020) and have now lost 2 prime travel years of our retirement. We refuse to lose anymore travel years and have 8 future cruises booked, unless they are canceled only our death will keep us home. Ditto (retired 2021) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgmn Posted January 9, 2022 #67 Share Posted January 9, 2022 On 1/6/2022 at 9:17 PM, oskidunker said: We have aSept cruise from Southampton with sons family. No one is sure they would go if masks are required. Long way away so we have time but am leaning towards not going. I understand why masks are required? We cruised from Southampton last Sept, with a mask mandate . It was fine, no big deal. Most people took them off sitting at tables in bars and restaurants, just putting them on to walk around. Once in solarium, and sitting on chairs or loungers, again some people took them off, not sure if this was policy but noone complained. They are meant to be kept on in the theatre though you could take drinks in with you. Some people took them off once sat down. We enjoyed the sunset bar which is outside, though out of respect for the staff would put on masks when ordering drinks at the bar. You have plenty of time until final payment, hopefully after a good summer we will be in a better place in the UK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgmn Posted January 9, 2022 #68 Share Posted January 9, 2022 5 hours ago, as3369 said: Ditto (retired 2021) Double ditto. We always planned to do loads of travelling once retired.... well that didn't happen 😕 Well and truly fed up now with restrictions and hope to do more travelling this year. Travel restrictions in the UK have eased this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted January 9, 2022 #69 Share Posted January 9, 2022 We cruised in July and masks were not needed if vaccinated on edge, 6 weeks ago we cruised rccl and masks were needed going from one venue to another , but if venue was for vaccinated passengers masks were not needed , I can live with that . My next cruise everyone must be vaccinated since it’s adults only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techwatcher Posted January 9, 2022 #70 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Yes, we would and indeed we did, on a UK Staycation cruise back in September and the mask wearing (masks required indoor unless actively eating or drinking) wasn't too much of an issue. Dealing with the virus whilst still having some degree of normality involves some risk, from both guests and Celebrity. This makes for some 'interesting' choices. Attending Trivia in the Sky Lounge - large space with distance between tables and you have to wear a mask. A few decks down in the Martini Bar, 50(?) people sitting in close proximity for potentially several hours - no mask required. Also, 50% capacity on the (large, airy, well-ventilated) ship at the time, but coaches (enclosed spaces with people seated close together) used for excursions ran at 75% capacity. It's about risk but in some cases I think it's also about revenue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyBerard Posted January 9, 2022 #71 Share Posted January 9, 2022 We sailed in Nov. on the first sailing of the Constellation. No masks were required. We prefer it that way. It was great! We have a cruise scheduled on Holland Rotterdam for March and just received a survey regarding vaccinations and boosters. I'm going to assume that they are seriously considering requiring the booster shoots to cruise with them. I'm actually hoping that they do, as we will not be getting our booster shots, and hope they will refund us, as opposed to giving us an FCC. We don't want to cruise if we are required to wear a mask. If you read the Holland cruise boards, the majority are in favor of booster shots and masks. We are 58/60 years old, and we do not favor cruising with these protocols. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted January 9, 2022 #72 Share Posted January 9, 2022 21 hours ago, southernbreezes said: Masks do help stop the spread, even cloth masks not sure why people keep spreading misinformation. I have stage 4 COPD and have no problem wearing a mask...no one should find one that fits and wear it. I have not even had a cold in 2 years because of mask wearing yes I love that the cruise lines are requiring masks. Below is from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html#:~:text=A study of an outbreak,70% reduced risk. I don't think that there is a spread of misinformation but rather the virus variant and its contagiousness and spread have rapidly changed. So if I am going on a cruise ship I will not feel protected with a cloth mask as I have been in the very recent past. Unfortunately the CDC link you posted was updated Dec 6th prior to the current massive Omicron surge where the first US case was identified Dec 1st. Cloth masks were effective against previous strains of the virus. But many recent recommendations specifically for Omicron have pointed out that the N95, KN95 or medical grade surgical masks (doubled in some cases) are by far the best against Omicron. IMO- Cruises requiring masking right now like Celebrity should specify the type needed for Omicron or the recommendation to mask will be pretty ineffective. Literally just feel good window dressing. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/01/05/cloth-masks-not-effective-omicron-covid/9091574002/ 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare steamboats Posted January 9, 2022 #73 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Hhm, I´ve been on 2 river cruises and 10 ocean cruises since the pandemic started and on all cruises I had to wear masks (mandatory in Europe). I do have to wear a mask at work, in the supermarket, in public transportation... And for more than a year I do wear N95 (FFP2) masks only... they are mandatory in my state and even when they weren´t mandatory last summer I never changed to surgical masks. I have no problem wearing masks on a cruise and actually would have a problem going on a cruise where masks are not mandatory (especially now with Omicron). steamboats 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGW59 Posted January 9, 2022 #74 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Not cruising right now, cancelled for April 2022, but if we were, we would wear a mask, whether required or not, just makes us feel more comfortable when close to others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted January 9, 2022 #75 Share Posted January 9, 2022 41 minutes ago, TeeRick said: But many recent recommendations specifically for Omicron have pointed out that the N95, KN95 or medical grade surgical masks (doubled in some cases) are by far the best against Omicron. IMO- Cruises requiring masking right now like Celebrity should specify the type needed for Omicron or the recommendation to mask will be pretty ineffective. Literally just feel good window dressing. Once again you are the voice of reason, cloth masks whether single double or triple layered do not stop the spread of any virus. I know too many who wear a mask only to just feel good without any proof they work. The N95, KN95 or medical grade surgical masks are what you will see 95% of the time on healthcare workers which should tell us what really works. When my father was in a rehab hospital in November 2020, the only masks I was allowed to wear to visit him were KN95, which told me which ones to wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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