Required to recommended

[RedneckBob]

While on board the Rotterdam we got the new, revised, updated version of masks on HAL ships last nite. They are now recommended, not required. Currently in Lido having breakfast and everyone coming into Lido is wearing a mask. Appears nothing much has changed.

 

[RedneckBob]

Just now, RedneckBob said:

While on board the Rotterdam we got the new, revised, updated version of masks on HAL ships last nite. They are now recommended, not required. Currently in Lido having breakfast and everyone coming into Lido is wearing a mask. Appears nothing much has changed.

 

Forgot to add that in Lido the “mask required” signs are still out. I guess they did not get the memo.

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for the info.

 

[RedneckBob]

I guess someone read my thread. The “mask required” sign in Lido was just removed

[nooligans]

We are currently on the NS - yesterday afternoon the captain announced that as of 3/1,  masks are recommended, but are required only in the casino, the World Stage, and the medical center.  

 

I haven’t been out this morning, but last evening most people were still wearing masks.

[Sea42]

Thanks for the update!

[quilty964]

Enjoy your cruise.  We were on the Rotterdam from Feb.5-13.  Met a couple who were on for 7 weeks, to avoid the rest of the winter.  I think about them a lot, and pray they are doing well!  

[gdy0354]

Not happy having masks mandatory in casino. Guess will have to keep drink in hand a lot.

[CM1984]

16 minutes ago, gdy0354 said:

Not happy having masks mandatory in casino. Guess will have to keep drink in hand a lot.

We don’t cruise until 9/24 and we enjoy the casino.  I so hope the mask mandate will disappear by then.  My husband has COPD and is doing great, BUT it is difficult for him to breathe well in that mask.  🙁

[ottahand7]

We are on NS also.  If we had to pass a COVID test on Friday we would still be wearing ours but our cruise ends Saturday.   Ours are off and I will clutch my usual post dinner Grand Dutch cappuccino in a paper cup in the casino. I hope that they keep the smoking out of the casino. 

[Navybikermom]

Someone on Facebook posted the official HAL notice and masks are also still required when embarking/disembarking in every port, and while on HAL tenders and shore excursions. Not a big change, but certainly moving in the right direction!

[happyglobetrotter]

1 hour ago, ottahand7 said:

We are on NS also.  If we had to pass a COVID test on Friday we would still be wearing ours but our cruise ends Saturday.   Ours are off and I will clutch my usual post dinner Grand Dutch cappuccino in a paper cup in the casino. I hope that they keep the smoking out of the casino. 

So you understand how we feel. We have 5 other cruises B2B before we go home. New people who boarded on Sunday in San Diego had to show negative (tested within 2 days), then they had to have  another test at embarkation and today, ie. 2 days later all the passengers must go for a 3rd test as per the captain letter we received last night. We also have regular tests on board before each cruise. For some people, mostly asymptomatic, going home positive is no big deal, However, for those who want to stay on the ship, masks are absolutely essential. We will continue wearing ours and we hope people without masks stay away from us. 

 

PS   Some people say they have difficulty breathing with a mask, apparently breathing with a respirator is not fun either.

[RedneckBob]

What’s next?

 

From mask required, from mask recommended, to as you wish masking 🤪

[12cruise2]

5 hours ago, happyglobetrotter said:

So you understand how we feel. We have 5 other cruises B2B before we go home. New people who boarded on Sunday in San Diego had to show negative (tested within 2 days), then they had to have  another test at embarkation and today, ie. 2 days later all the passengers must go for a 3rd test as per the captain letter we received last night. We also have regular tests on board before each cruise. For some people, mostly asymptomatic, going home positive is no big deal, However, for those who want to stay on the ship, masks are absolutely essential. We will continue wearing ours and we hope people without masks stay away from us. 

 

PS   Some people say they have difficulty breathing with a mask, apparently breathing with a respirator is not fun either.

We will be wearing our masks for three weeks for sure in April on the Zuiderdam as we have B2B cruises as well.  We're happy to wear masks, no problem for us.

[iflyrc5]

This is the letter we received on the NS this morning concerning the updated mask policy.   At breakfast and lunch today I estimate that about 60% of us were still following the original policy.  BTW - the crew is still required to wear masks at all times and today in Grenada masks were required in the terminal and everywhere on the island.

[RedneckBob]

11 hours ago, RedneckBob said:

I guess someone read my thread. The “mask required” sign in Lido was just removed

The sign in the Lido has reappeared and now says, “Mask are Recommended”

[Saphire]

Lots of happy faces on the Rotterdam this morning. Mine was the biggest. Now as things move forward, the staff will be next. They are so ready.

[syesmar]

21 hours ago, happyglobetrotter said:

New people who boarded on Sunday in San Diego had to show negative (tested within 2 days), then they had to have  another test at embarkation and today, ie. 2 days later all the passengers must go for a 3rd test as per the captain letter we received last night….For some people, mostly asymptomatic, going home positive is no big deal, However, for those who want to stay on the ship, masks are absolutely essential….

Did the letter say why all passengers would need to be tested again? Was this to enter a port?

 

Have a wonderful sailing!

[ottahand7]

21 hours ago, happyglobetrotter said:

So you understand how we feel. We have 5 other cruises B2B before we go home. New people who boarded on Sunday in San Diego had to show negative (tested within 2 days), then they had to have  another test at embarkation and today, ie. 2 days later all the passengers must go for a 3rd test as per the captain letter we received last night. We also have regular tests on board before each cruise. For some people, mostly asymptomatic, going home positive is no big deal, However, for those who want to stay on the ship, masks are absolutely essential. We will continue wearing ours and we hope people without masks stay away from us. 

 

PS   Some people say they have difficulty breathing with a mask, apparently breathing with a respirator is not fun either.

I am happy not having to wear my mask. I still will social distance and while waiting maskless masked folks were entering my space while waiting for a coffee at Grand Dutch. Will put one on for an elevator with others to protect myself and others. Social distancing and avoiding crowds remain important. The duty free terminal in Grenada was busy and low ventilation so happy masks were required.  When I return I will go get my second booster since my hospital system says it is 6 months since my booster.  Triple vaxxed plus probably having it twice already and will still show up for another dose of protection even though I will be sick for 24 hours.  All this so we can all get back to some level of normalcy.  All the while watching the CDC Flutrack map. If flu is breaking out in my state my mask goes on. For some reason the flu vaccine provides me little protection.  I understand very low level of COVID positivity on the NS. Low passenger levels help with social distancing.