Masks required now, onboard Oceania

[cathylk621]

Oceania yesterday updated their policy on their website to say that masks are now required at all times onboard. I searched online to confirm or deny the "EU regulations" and could not find this new mandate.  

Can anyone shed some light on this topic?  We embark Marina next Thursday in Trieste, Italy.

Thank you in advance!

Here is the updated link:

 

FACE MASK REQUIREMENTS

For all voyages embarking from European gateways, EU regulations mandate that all guests must wear face masks at all times when outside of their stateroom or suite except when actively eating or drinking. For voyages that call in Italian ports, Italian regulations mandate that guests wear a medical grade KN95 or FFP2 face mask.

For voyages that embark and sail outside of Europe (Polynesia, Mexico, Alaska, Canada, etc) face coverings remain optional for guests. We continue to strongly recommend that all guests wear face coverings when outside of their accommodations. Our Officers and Crew will continue to remain masked at all times.

We strongly recommend all guests travel with an adequate supply of medical grade masks, commonly known as surgical masks or KN-95 masks. Should you require additional masks while traveling, all ships will be adequately stocked. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Please note: this guidance is subject to change as the global health map evolves. 

 

 

[NattilyAttired]

This is consistent with the info we received from Oceania last week about our upcoming cruise from Portugal to Rome on Nautica.  Europe has updated mask recommendations for the month of April, at least, due to lots of spring break travelers from the UK, where Covid is still an issue.

[cathylk621]

We'll wear the masks, if obligatory, but I don't see any information from EU sites online that mention this. 

[arkansastraveler]

It also might have something to do with the fact that people on board are getting COVID as well as people testing positive the day after disembarking the ship. Ship in point is the Riviera.  Out of our group of 12, 3 people tested positive the day after getting off the ship. Requiring masks at all times might have made a difference. 

[pinotlover]

We’re going on a river cruise to four EU countries in June. All require masks indoors. Our river boat company has already informed us of the requirements. Oceania must likewise comply with the local regulations. I am certainly not surprised about these continued protocols! 
 

If Spain doesn’t require them, I doubt Oceania will either, while in Spanish waters.

[ToxM]

We have not been told anything about masks - on Sirena atm - arrival in Tenerife tomorrow. So as we didn’t embark in the EU we don’t have to comply.

 

Will report back when I see tomorrow’s Currents.

[cathylk621]

I appreciate all your responses on this topic. I am in agreement that this will be with us in one form or another for a long time. I will wear my mask when required, a minor inconvenience compared to the many problems in the world today, but I look forward to each person one day, doing what feels right to them.

[ToxM]

Masks to be worn to disembark and then recommenced for public areas tomorrow in Tenerife. 

[janecambridge]

On 4/6/2022 at 4:40 PM, cathylk621 said:

Oceania yesterday updated their policy on their website to say that masks are now required at all times onboard. I searched online to confirm or deny the "EU regulations" and could not find this new mandate.  

Can anyone shed some light on this topic?  We embark Marina next Thursday in Trieste, Italy.

Thank you in advance!

 

If I were you, i would take masks anyway.There can be a change in plan at anytime and anywhere.

[DanOnboard]

We have a May cruise from Italy coming up, so we've been carefully following entry and in country COVID requirements.

 

FWIW, O implies in its email that the mask mandate is from "EU Healthy Gateways." If you check the latest (April) EUHG document, it specifically states:

 

"For cruise ships sailing with at least 95% of the crew members and at least 95% of the passengers on board vaccinated or recovered, the requirement for wearing masks in outdoor spaces on board the ship is not applicable for both crew members and passengers, provided that there is no crowding." (section 9.6.)

 

Not sure what "EU regulations" that O says the outdoor mask mandate came from unless O is no longer requiring everyone to be vaccinated.

 

Also from the US Embassy in Italy:

 

"As of February 11, the use of face masks outdoors will not be required, except in congested areas or when it is not possible to keep appropriate social distancing."

 

Italy plans to eliminate more restrictions May 1, if things don't get worse again.  Other countries may vary, so check the US Embassy for each country (travel.state.gov).
 

[RJB]

9 hours ago, DanOnboard said:

We have a May cruise from Italy coming up, so we've been carefully following entry and in country COVID requirements.

 

FWIW, O implies in its email that the mask mandate is from "EU Healthy Gateways." If you check the latest (April) EUHG document, it specifically states:

 

"For cruise ships sailing with at least 95% of the crew members and at least 95% of the passengers on board vaccinated or recovered, the requirement for wearing masks in outdoor spaces on board the ship is not applicable for both crew members and passengers, provided that there is no crowding." (section 9.6.)

 

Not sure what "EU regulations" that O says the outdoor mask mandate came from unless O is no longer requiring everyone to be vaccinated.

 

Also from the US Embassy in Italy:

 

"As of February 11, the use of face masks outdoors will not be required, except in congested areas or when it is not possible to keep appropriate social distancing."

 

Italy plans to eliminate more restrictions May 1, if things don't get worse again.  Other countries may vary, so check the US Embassy for each country (travel.state.gov).
 

sounds good.  we will sail under those conditions

 

 

 

e conditions.

 

[cathylk621]

Well, I'll see how it is come Thursday when we board in Trieste! Looking forward to it, mask or not!

[806James]

On a recent Riviera crossing (departed Miami 18 Mar) the policy was that masks were optional.  Passenger response to this policy was that 90+ percent of all passengers never wore a mask.  We later heard of a COVID case 4 or 5 days out,, suggesting that there was on-board transmission and may have been more cases that we didn't hear about.  (Possibly unrelated, but there were two medical evacuations in the course of the voyage.)

[pinotlover]

I thought most of the conflict was about being required to wear masks indoors when not eating and drinking. Not sure those rules have changed. Last summer we wore our masks to and from the dining venues or until we were outdoors, inside Lounge for enlightenment talks and shows,  Also elevator capacity was strictly limited even when wearing a mask. Masks were required in all public transportation including tour buses. Long tour bus ride meant wearing that mask a long time, just like on a plane.
 

Outdoors masks were still required in crowded pedestrian areas. Some high density pedestrian streets and outdoor markets required face masks because physical distancing wasn’t practical or possible. Other high density outdoor museums and other attractions required masks. 
 

I haven’t heard nor seen any evidence that much if any of this has changed. If you’re going to Europe, you’d better take your masks. You’ll need them.

[MEFIowa]

1 hour ago, 806James said:

On a recent Riviera crossing (departed Miami 18 Mar) the policy was that masks were optional.  Passenger response to this policy was that 90+ percent of all passengers never wore a mask.  We later heard of a COVID case 4 or 5 days out, suggesting that there was on-board transmission and may have been more cases that we didn't hear about.  (Possibly unrelated, but there were two medical evacuations in the course of the voyage.)

Was on Riviera 12/13-23/21 and we had 719 passengers and seemingly about 1%, if that, wearing masks, even on elevators. We didn't hear about any outbreaks. We did have on medical evacuation off Key West but he was an extremely elderly man who probably shouldn't have been cruising at all. He was transferred ship to ship strapped into a stretcher. Of course, the cruise lines rarely talk about their on-board morgues or medical evacuations of often elderly cruisers for a plethora of reasons unrelated to COVID historically.

[ORV]

2 hours ago, 806James said:

On a recent Riviera crossing (departed Miami 18 Mar) the policy was that masks were optional.  Passenger response to this policy was that 90+ percent of all passengers never wore a mask.  We later heard of a COVID case 4 or 5 days out,, suggesting that there was on-board transmission and may have been more cases that we didn't hear about.  (Possibly unrelated, but there were two medical evacuations in the course of the voyage.)

 

1 hour ago, MEFIowa said:

Was on Riviera 12/13-23/21 and we had 719 passengers and seemingly about 1%, if that, wearing masks, even on elevators. We didn't hear about any outbreaks. We did have on medical evacuation off Key West but he was an extremely elderly man who probably shouldn't have been cruising at all. He was transferred ship to ship strapped into a stretcher. Of course, the cruise lines rarely talk about their on-board morgues or medical evacuations of often elderly cruisers for a plethora of reasons unrelated to COVID historically.

I'm shocked. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, MEFIowa said:

Was on Riviera 12/13-23/21 and we had 719 passengers and seemingly about 1%, if that, wearing masks, even on elevators. We didn't hear about any outbreaks. We did have on medical evacuation off Key West but he was an extremely elderly man who probably shouldn't have been cruising at all. He was transferred ship to ship strapped into a stretcher. Of course, the cruise lines rarely talk about their on-board morgues or medical evacuations of often elderly cruisers for a plethora of reasons unrelated to COVID historically.

And we were on Riviera in mid-January. Multiple positive Covid’s resulting in suspension of entertainment shows by onboard artists, closure of Casino.....

Not wearing a mask (except when not eating/drinking) is ridiculous.

[janecambridge]

21 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

And we were on Riviera in mid-January. Multiple positive Covid’s resulting in suspension of entertainment shows by onboard artists, closure of Casino.....

Not wearing a mask (except when not eating/drinking) is ridiculous.

The casino was closed!! It was never closed on noro virus outbreak on our cruise. And that’s touch transmitted! 

[MEFIowa]

25 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

... Not wearing a mask (except when not eating/drinking) is ridiculous.

NOT being fully vaccinated and boosted is ridiculous. As is being physically problematic for cruising in general or cruising if you have underlying health conditions related to COVID. What is also "ridiculous" is confusing case numbers when the only real issues for the healthy vaccinated and boosted are hospitalization rates, serious sickness rates, and use of ventilator rates. All insignificant for the fully vaccinated and boosted who are healthy enough to fully cruise.

[pinotlover]

719 passengers on the Riviera is an insignificant number. If all goes to Oceania’s hopes and plans that number will soon be 1100+ on every cruise.  A lot of different considerations in physical distancing and limiting contagious disease spread at max capacity than at minimum capacity. Come May and June , when ship passenger levels swells, the rubber will meet the road. The prolonged practice cruises of 400-750 on O ships will be over.

[Debbers]

21 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

 Come May and June , when ship passenger levels swells, the rubber will meet the road. The prolonged practice cruises of 400-750 on O ships will be over.

Le Sigh.  That is when we cruise, and we were so hoping capacity would still be low.  How do you know the numbers are going up?  We are quite used to wearing masks and happy to continue.  We are vaxed x 2, boosted x 2, and always ready to comply.

[MEFIowa]

And whether at 750 or 1250 passengers, the two keys remain:

 

1. Be fully vaccinated and boosted.

2. Do NOT cruise if you have underlying conditions related to the potential severity of a COVID transmission.

 

Cruisers should contact their medical provider and discuss whether they should be cruising at all in light of COVID. For the issue in the real world is not "whether" I may get COVID, BUT what likely will happen to me "when" I get COVID.

[pinotlover]

28 minutes ago, MEFIowa said:

And whether at 750 or 1250 passengers, the two keys remain:

 

1. Be fully vaccinated and boosted.

2. Do NOT cruise if you have underlying conditions related to the potential severity of a COVID transmission.

 

Cruisers should contact their medical provider and discuss whether they should be cruising at all in light of COVID. For the issue in the real world is not "whether" I may get COVID, BUT what likely will happen to me "when" I get COVID.

On these points we definitely agree!! 🍷

 

However, do you remember the outcry when a couple of the cruise lines suggested they would require medical releases before allowing passengers to board? I’ve been on cruises where a significant number of fellow passengers could never get such a release. Many refuse to acknowledge when it’s time to say “ when “! That’s why the ships have morgues.

[RJB]

4 hours ago, 806James said:

On a recent Riviera crossing (departed Miami 18 Mar) the policy was that masks were optional.  Passenger response to this policy was that 90+ percent of all passengers never wore a mask.  We later heard of a COVID case 4 or 5 days out,, suggesting that there was on-board transmission and may have been more cases that we didn't hear about.  (Possibly unrelated, but there were two medical evacuations in the course of the voyage.)

Sounds pretty normal for any cruise.  Pre or Post Covid. People getting sick will never go away weather it is noro, the flu or something else. 

[Hawaiidan]

The reality is that no matter what, there will always be something that is  a threat.   There will never be a cruise that  anytime in the past or future  that will be 100% safe from everything.   Covid, NORO, colds, legionnaires,  food allergy,   These are just some of the many possible risks  along with driving to the port,  flying, crime, and thousands of other risks  in the world.     It is a matter of   what do you think your risk is and are you willing to accept it.     

To quote Dirty Harry "  Are you feeling lucky"    and a man has got to know his limitations"       Simple as that