Masks Not Required in Most Areas Beginning March 1

[rj59]

8 hours ago, Duanerice1 said:

Every night I told them I want a menu   I am not eating fast food..... They can at least give me a menu.  It wasn't an issue or any extra work at all.  Every night they had a menu for us. 

 

Someone mentioned tablecloths..... I bet they are a thing of the past since they realize how much easier it is without them.  

It's a stupid remnant of early-covid ignorance, where people thought they could get covid from touch. Thus all the endless sanitizing and hygiene theater of not allowing cash or menus in restaurants. The cruise lines still don't seem to get it, with Carnival still pushing QR codes, but the other ones still don't allow buffet self-service, and many won't let you use the drinks station. It's even more irritating in 2022 with omicron, since the people standing there serving me food or drinks are more likely to infect passengers--tongs don't spread covid, breathing people do. I got attitude on my last Carnival cruise for asking for a physical menu, and then they turned me away from breakfast because I didn't have my phone and hadn't checked in. What about people who don't have a cell phone, who don't know how to use it, who don't want to spend their vacation staring at a tiny screen, and who want a pleasant dining experience that they'd get on land? I'm just afraid that the stupid covid policies will just stay on forever, like the horrible, miserable lifeboat drills and musters that could have been handled by TV/app for at least the past 10 years. 

[dandeck]

So, since kids 5 and under aren't going to count in the "calculation", does that mean the 95% vaccinated rule will actually be less than 95% by the number of kids in the age category??!  In essence, be 95% of those greater than 5 yrs of age?

[keels81]

10 minutes ago, dandeck said:

So, since kids 5 and under aren't going to count in the "calculation", does that mean the 95% vaccinated rule will actually be less than 95% by the number of kids in the age category??!  In essence, be 95% of those greater than 5 yrs of age?

 

I think you're mathing in the right direction ...

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

So, fast forwarding a couple of weeks (didn't read this entire thread) - how has this been working out onboard since March 1st  --- are masks fully optional everywhere (I think the medical center was an exception) ?

 

Our 2/26 Celebrity Reflection sailing was a welcome event - being the first sailing that ship had with optional masks. Though, it was still 100% mandatory for all crew -- is that still the case on Carnival?

 

We sail on Friday, so just trying to get my mind in the right "gear" !  🙂

 

Tom

 

 

[mz-s]

3 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

So, fast forwarding a couple of weeks (didn't read this entire thread) - how has this been working out onboard since March 1st  --- are masks fully optional everywhere (I think the medical center was an exception) ?

 

Our 2/26 Celebrity Reflection sailing was a welcome event - being the first sailing that ship had with optional masks. Though, it was still 100% mandatory for all crew -- is that still the case on Carnival?

 

We sail on Friday, so just trying to get my mind in the right "gear" !  🙂

 

Tom

 

On my Sunshine sailing (which technically wasn't part of this change because it sailed on Feb 28), the signs were still everywhere (including the Casino) but few were wearing masks and none of the crew were asking guests to put them on. The only time masks were required was during embarkation, tendering, and debarkation (including at ports of call). I didn't visit the medical center.

 

As predicted, crew were wearing their masks at all times, even when ashore on Princess Cays. I am not sure when Carnival will make masks optional for crew.

[Lane Hog]

7 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Our 2/26 Celebrity Reflection sailing was a welcome event - being the first sailing that ship had with optional masks. Though, it was still 100% mandatory for all crew -- is that still the case on Carnival?

Can't speak for Carnival, but we were on RCL 2/27 and it was also 100% for the crew (almost all were double masked).  Onboard, there were maybe 15% of the customers choosing to mask.  Our shore excursion in Roatan required it on the bus only.  Cozumel didn't care, and Belize had just lifted their mandate that weekend.  It was still required in the arrival and departure hall, which is because of the TSA mandate still in effect thru 3/18...

[mz-s]

25 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

I was on the 2/26 Magic sailing.  Mask theater was still in place because the story was that people booked that sailing expecting masks.  I said I booked it over a year ago expecting masks to be done.  There were crew at Lido and dining room entrances passing out masks but once you were in, no one asked you to put one on.  

 

The crew at the entrances were still there even after Mar 1 on my sailing, but I asked one for a mask and he even said "you don't need one" lol. I told him I needed it to get on the tender (they still required masks on the tender to Princess Cays). I guess now that all the ships are on voyages that started after 3/1 things are different.

[Rudyard]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

On my Sunshine sailing (which technically wasn't part of this change because it sailed on Feb 28), the signs were still everywhere (including the Casino) but few were wearing masks and none of the crew were asking guests to put them on. The only time masks were required was during embarkation, tendering, and debarkation (including at ports of call). I didn't visit the medical center.

 

As predicted, crew were wearing their masks at all times, even when ashore on Princess Cays. I am not sure when Carnival will make masks optional for crew.

 

My experience sailing on Breeze, also on the 28th, was pretty much the same. Very few people in masks on embarkation day, and even fewer on the 1st. The crew member that was in charge at our muster station even strongly hinted that we wouldn't have to wear mask when asked by replying "Tomorrow's a brand new day". I only heard one announcement in the casino stating that masks must be worn, but everyone ignored it and kept gambling. The only other time we were told to mask up was when we were disembarking back at Galveston because they are still required in the terminal. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by Rudyard

[Saint Greg]

5 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

So, fast forwarding a couple of weeks (didn't read this entire thread) - how has this been working out onboard since March 1st  --- are masks fully optional everywhere (I think the medical center was an exception) ?

 

Our 2/26 Celebrity Reflection sailing was a welcome event - being the first sailing that ship had with optional masks. Though, it was still 100% mandatory for all crew -- is that still the case on Carnival?

 

We sail on Friday, so just trying to get my mind in the right "gear" !  🙂

 

Tom

 

 

On glory they still have the old signs out but other than crew really nobody is wearing masks and nobody is asking anyone to wear masks..other than on deck 0 when you’re getting off in a port. They haven’t been required or used on cozumel or costa Maya. 

[cruisingguy007]

12 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

On glory they still have the old signs out but other than crew really nobody is wearing masks and nobody is asking anyone to wear masks..other than on deck 0 when you’re getting off in a port. They haven’t been required or used on cozumel or costa Maya. 

 

I would be nice if they had a list of ports that are requiring them. Super glad I haven't booked an excursion yet. Hopefully people that are getting off the ships in the next few weeks will be sharing tidbits like this. It's very useful, thank you.   

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Thanks for all the replies !

 

Tom

[pe4all]

When we boarded Horizon on 2/27 all signage still said masks required, though it definitely was not enforced.  I was surprised at how many people (ourselves included) were still wearing them.  However, upon debarking masks were only required in the terminal (an announcement was made before we debarked) and signage had already been changed on ship that masks were optional.   I would still be careful with hand sanitizing as always, as I can't tell you how many people I saw that sneezed into their hands and then touched stuff - ladles in buffet, elevator buttons/panels, etc.  I actually wore a glove to handle the spoons in the buffet, then peeled it off and sanitized before eating.  Overboard on my part?  Maybe - but I walked off the cruise healthy!

[mz-s]

6 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I would be nice if they had a list of ports that are requiring them. Super glad I haven't booked an excursion yet. Hopefully people that are getting off the ships in the next few weeks will be sharing tidbits like this. It's very useful, thank you.   

 

It seems like pretty much all the ports are still requiring masks, at least indoors.

Edited March 10, 2022 by mz-s

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

8 minutes ago, pe4all said:

... I can't tell you how many people I saw that sneezed into their hands and then touched stuff - ladles in buffet, elevator buttons/panels, etc....

 

I loved the fact that, on Celebrity last week, everything in the buffet was still being served by the staff - no nasty spoons/tongs to be concerned with. Of course, the whole place was built to accommodate that.

 

Tom

[pe4all]

21 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

I loved the fact that, on Celebrity last week, everything in the buffet was still being served by the staff - no nasty spoons/tongs to be concerned with. Of course, the whole place was built to accommodate that.

 

Tom

They did have a few things served by staff - bacon, carving stations, cake station, and a couple of trays of food which were towards the back of the heating stations.  However, most of the buffet area was serve yourself.  

[Bgcruising]

8 minutes ago, pe4all said:

They did have a few things served by staff - bacon, carving stations, cake station, and a couple of trays of food which were towards the back of the heating stations.  However, most of the buffet area was serve yourself.  

That's normal. That's to keep people from taking the whole cake, pan of bacon, or roast beef. You know they would.

[ninjacat123]

Anyone know if Nassau or Bimini requires masks now?  TIA!

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

It seems like pretty much all the ports are still requiring masks, at least indoors.

Grand Turk, Bonaire and Aruba were all mask optional indoors. 

[cruisingguy007]

Anyone know about the west coast Mexican ports? (Panorama/Radiance/Miracle)

[famof4togo]

27 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

Anyone know about the west coast Mexican ports? (Panorama/Radiance/Miracle)

I've been told masks are still being required indoors while in port.

[cruisingguy007]

18 minutes ago, famof4togo said:

I've been told masks are still being required indoors while in port.

 

All ports, some ports? What about when transporting back and forth? I'm mainly looking for a resort pass type excursion at a nice upscale resort with great pool facilities and would rather do one through the line but would book one independently also to avoid hassles and/or a short trip, some don't seem worth if for only a few hours based on reviews. I'd be looking at whatever port(s) have the longest day time frame  with shorter drives to/fro.