Rotterdam and masks

[RetiredRich]

We are due for the November 9th Rotterdam out of Fort Lauderdale.  Is it true that masks are once again going to be required around on the ship ??

[Crazy For Cats]

4 minutes ago, RetiredRich said:

We are due for the November 9th Rotterdam out of Fort Lauderdale.  Is it true that masks are once again going to be required around on the ship ??

I think it’s too soon to know for certain.

[FlaMariner]

From what I have read on here.....

 

Masking is required on the Rotterdam now as she is on a long Tran-Atlantic cruise.

 

My hope (and prayer) is that masking now on the Rotterdam has nothing to do with future cruise masking requirements.

 

The fam is set to spend Thanksgiving on a 7 night Nieuw Statendam cruise and we are not interested in masking at all.  And I do not want to be the "head Dad in charge of travel" and tell our crew that masking is required.  That will end them ever setting sail with me again....I'm certain.

[FlorenceItaly]

1 minute ago, FlaMariner said:

The fam is set to spend Thanksgiving on a 7 night Nieuw Statendam cruise and we are not interested in masking at all.  And I do not want to be the "head Dad in charge of travel" and tell our crew that masking is required.  That will end them ever setting sail with me again....I'm certain.

I think it is at the discretion of the Captain and many do not know until they board.  We are on the NS November 5, and I will not be happy if we have to mask up.  With that said, I will be surprised if on the short 7 day Caribbean cruises they will be required.  

[FlaMariner]

That's what I'm thinking also.....

 

By the time they think there is a Covid crisis onboard, we will be dis-embarking.....Longer cruises have more risks...thus that is why I think they masked up.......

 

I am going to keep thinking that, anyhow.

[aliaschief]

Cruise blogger ‘Cruising with Don is on board and was discussing that an outbreak of Noro virus could be the culprit. Though I felt it was more speculation to the cause of masking.

Bottom line the Captain made a decision.

[DCThunder]

2 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

That's what I'm thinking also.....

 

By the time they think there is a Covid crisis onboard, we will be dis-embarking.....Longer cruises have more risks...thus that is why I think they masked up.......

 

I am going to keep thinking that, anyhow.

There's a "Live from" thread about the Africa Grand Voyage that left FLL last week.  The author of that thread said that initially it was mandatory masking but posted today that the captain had changed that to "masking encouraged" after about 3 or 4 days at sea.

[sndral]

3 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

I think it’s too soon to know for certain.

Yes, from what I’ve read it seems to be ultimately the Captains call on each specific sailing. My sense is that it’ll be much like Noro always has been, when there’s an outbreak onboard sanitation protocols are increased/imposed, w/ Noro’s fomite transmission that’s things like increased surface/hand sanitizing. W/ Covid I guess for the near future it’ll be when levels reach a certain number transmission reduction protocols, including masks to protect people from airborne transmission, will happen.

[Arizona Wildcat]

The decision about masking is made on board depending on the number of covid cases on the prior cruise, length of the cruise and any local requirements.   You will not know about masking requirements until they are implemented.   Seems lately that many two week cruises start with no masking and masks are required after cases reach a certain number.

[Brummel]

Heard via email from my friend aboard the Rotterdam. He writes:

 

Had many discussions with HAL since I boarded. Now their management is claiming that the mask mandate was imposed due to a large Norovirus Outbreak on the previous cruise.

 

Problem here is that Norovirus lives on surfaces and isn’t airborne. So this doesn’t make sense.

 

Guest Relations Desk told me that the mask mandate was imposed due to a large number of unvaccinated guests onboard. 

 

I interject here to note there is a quota for unvaccinated guests, so HAL knew how many would be onboard well in time to announce a mask requirement before embarkation if that was indeed the real reason. Of course they also knew this was a long transatlantic crossing when they advertised "masks optional."

 

In the end the President of HAL is onboard and everything has to be perfect. So it might be a combination of both. They don’t want to take any chances of either Corona or Norovirus…… and this sucks BIG time.

 

I didn’t pay $5000 to wear a mask.

 

He does add:

 

The send off at Rotterdam was grand. Once in a lifetime experience.

People lined the Maas river and many historic steamboats accompanied the MS Rotterdam out to sea.

First crossing to New York for this brand new ship.

 

I am booked on a 21-day Caribbean cruise on HAL in November 2023. HAL needs to tell us honestly under what circumstances they might require masks and give us a chance to cancel our bookings and get full refunds. Only fair.

 

 

[FlaMariner]

and if wearing a mask for noro is going to become the norm then it might be "game over"...noro happens quite frequently...don't we all know it from the pre Covid cruising era.

[rodndonna]

12 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

and if wearing a mask for noro is going to become the norm then it might be "game over"...noro happens quite frequently...don't we all know it from the pre Covid cruising era.

 

I don't know where the bit about it being related to noro came from. There was a Noro ourtbreak on the prior cruise which was dealt with through extended deep cleanings (and delayed disembarkations). 

The masking letter passengers received (posted here in CC roll call) makes NO mention on Noro and only discusses Covid. It also stated it would be required for 7 days, but have seen claims of it being required for the full length of the cruise.

We sadly watched a "cruise blogger" who was apparently blindsided by the requirement, and mentioned masking required for the length of the cruise,  then went on to mention it might having to do with Noro. As an 'expert' on what's going on in cruises I was surprised he was blindsided, but apparently his reading comprehension skills may not be his strength.

 

I do genuinely feel for people who are blindsided by this as I expect there are many who have booked and have not been following what is happening and what can potentially happen with regards to Covid protocols.  Not so much for cruise blogger "experts" though, as people may be watching these and thinking they have good knowledge of what is going on.

 

[FlaMariner]

1 minute ago, rodndonna said:

The masking letter passengers received (posted here in CC roll call) makes NO mention on Noro and only discusses Covid.

 

Good!

 

Glad Noro has nothing to do with the masking requirement.  Hoping we don't start that. 

[BillderBo]

Does anyone know...are passengers expected to show up with a stock of their favorite mask, just in case it is needed? Or does HAL supply the masks, when needed? And are they N95 or some cheapo variety?

[Laminator]

16 hours ago, Brummel said:

Heard via email from my friend aboard the Rotterdam. He writes:

 

Had many discussions with HAL since I boarded. Now their management is claiming that the mask mandate was imposed due to a large Norovirus Outbreak on the previous cruise.

 

Problem here is that Norovirus lives on surfaces and isn’t airborne. So this doesn’t make sense.

 

Guest Relations Desk told me that the mask mandate was imposed due to a large number of unvaccinated guests onboard. 

 

I interject here to note there is a quota for unvaccinated guests, so HAL knew how many would be onboard well in time to announce a mask requirement before embarkation if that was indeed the real reason. Of course they also knew this was a long transatlantic crossing when they advertised "masks optional."

 

In the end the President of HAL is onboard and everything has to be perfect. So it might be a combination of both. They don’t want to take any chances of either Corona or Norovirus…… and this sucks BIG time.

 

I didn’t pay $5000 to wear a mask.

 

He does add:

 

The send off at Rotterdam was grand. Once in a lifetime experience.

People lined the Maas river and many historic steamboats accompanied the MS Rotterdam out to sea.

First crossing to New York for this brand new ship.

 

I am booked on a 21-day Caribbean cruise on HAL in November 2023. HAL needs to tell us honestly under what circumstances they might require masks and give us a chance to cancel our bookings and get full refunds. Only fair.

 

 

The situation with Covid is very fluid. I am not sure it helps that Europe is experiencing a surge in cases right now. I am sure HAL has a trigger as to when masks are required. What that trigger is appears to be an unknown. With this being a transatlantic sailing and nowhere to get pax to an onshore medical facility if needed I am sure from their perspective it is best to err on the side of caution. 

[rodndonna]

20 minutes ago, BillderBo said:

Does anyone know...are passengers expected to show up with a stock of their favorite mask, just in case it is needed? Or does HAL supply the masks, when needed? And are they N95 or some cheapo variety?

 

They supply masks and guests are asked to change regularly and go guest services if they need more. On our cruise a couple of weeks ago when masks where 'recommended' we had them in the room (3 each) and they were available from any bar or guest services if you asked for new ones.

 

They were surgical masks, but I would say if you have masks you like, I would bring them.

[Guest ldtr]

16 hours ago, Brummel said:

Heard via email from my friend aboard the Rotterdam. He writes:

 

Had many discussions with HAL since I boarded. Now their management is claiming that the mask mandate was imposed due to a large Norovirus Outbreak on the previous cruise.

 

Problem here is that Norovirus lives on surfaces and isn’t airborne. So this doesn’t make sense.

 

Guest Relations Desk told me that the mask mandate was imposed due to a large number of unvaccinated guests onboard. 

 

I interject here to note there is a quota for unvaccinated guests, so HAL knew how many would be onboard well in time to announce a mask requirement before embarkation if that was indeed the real reason. Of course they also knew this was a long transatlantic crossing when they advertised "masks optional."

 

In the end the President of HAL is onboard and everything has to be perfect. So it might be a combination of both. They don’t want to take any chances of either Corona or Norovirus…… and this sucks BIG time.

 

I didn’t pay $5000 to wear a mask.

 

He does add:

 

The send off at Rotterdam was grand. Once in a lifetime experience.

People lined the Maas river and many historic steamboats accompanied the MS Rotterdam out to sea.

First crossing to New York for this brand new ship.

 

I am booked on a 21-day Caribbean cruise on HAL in November 2023. HAL needs to tell us honestly under what circumstances they might require masks and give us a chance to cancel our bookings and get full refunds. Only fair.

 

 

They have, enhanced measures such as masking may be applied any time the cruise line, feels it is necessary.

 

If that it not sufficient, than I suggest not booking because you are unlikely to get any more detail than that. Any other detail just provides the potential for either side of the arguement to they claim that they are not following policy.

 

As a result the policy is whenever they decide it is necessary.

[SUESEABE]

We are on the Rotterdam now and status just changed to 'Masks Recommend'.

[2inSETexas]

On 10/18/2022 at 12:46 PM, rodndonna said:

 

I don't know where the bit about it being related to noro came from. There was a Noro ourtbreak on the prior cruise which was dealt with through extended deep cleanings (and delayed disembarkations). 

The masking letter passengers received (posted here in CC roll call) makes NO mention on Noro and only discusses Covid. It also stated it would be required for 7 days, but have seen claims of it being required for the full length of the cruise.

We sadly watched a "cruise blogger" who was apparently blindsided by the requirement, and mentioned masking required for the length of the cruise,  then went on to mention it might having to do with Noro. As an 'expert' on what's going on in cruises I was surprised he was blindsided, but apparently his reading comprehension skills may not be his strength.

 

I do genuinely feel for people who are blindsided by this as I expect there are many who have booked and have not been following what is happening and what can potentially happen with regards to Covid protocols.  Not so much for cruise blogger "experts" though, as people may be watching these and thinking they have good knowledge of what is going on.

 

We are on this TA Rotterdam cruise, boarding in Rotterdam. We knew the masks would be required at the beginning of the cruise because of a letter given to back-to-back passengers from the prior cruise who shared it either here or on social media. But we were never informed in advance by Holland America.

When we arrived at the pier, there were no notices at checkin. It was only as we approached the boarding ramp that we were handed FFP2 masks and verbally informed of the mask requirement.

 

Physical signs were placed strategically throughout the ship. But the communication provided in our stateroom made no mention of any mask requirement, only to make us aware of the previous cruises norovirus outbreak, subsequent disinfection, and personal hygiene expectations.

 

Through the first seven days, the only communication on mask requirements was verbal and the signs. HAL at no time provided written communication to passengers boarding in Rotterdam.

 

By Thursday, it is my guess from observation in World Stage that only about 1/3 of the passengers wore the masks in the theater. Today, Friday, the mask requirement was dropped. There were cheers and applause when the captain made the announcement this morning.

[LindaandJeff]

On 10/17/2022 at 12:46 PM, RetiredRich said:

We are due for the November 9th Rotterdam out of Fort Lauderdale.  Is it true that masks are once again going to be required around on the ship ??

While the people on board for the transatlantic were required to wear masks for the first several days, the passengers and crew no longer have to wear masks. The Captain announced that a couple of days ago. Masking requirements are subject to change at any time, unfortunately. 

[JennysUncle]

But Covid is still on the ship. Most passengers ignored the mask mandate, so those who came aboard pre-symptomatic (or lying) kept it circulating. We were both hit yesterday, now in quarantine. 

[FlorenceItaly]

11 minutes ago, JennysUncle said:

But Covid is still on the ship. Most passengers ignored the mask mandate, so those who came aboard pre-symptomatic (or lying) kept it circulating. We were both hit yesterday, now in quarantine. 

I am very sorry to hear this.  Will you rent a car and travel home?  Best wishes to you and hope it is mild.

[JennysUncle]

4 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

I am very sorry to hear this.  Will you rent a car and travel home?  Best wishes to you and hope it is mild.

We had plane reservations, but luckily live near enough to drive home - assuming our systems stay mild. HAL is letting us order meals from the MDR, and will escort us off to a taxi stand. 

[FlorenceItaly]

3 minutes ago, JennysUncle said:

We had plane reservations, but luckily live near enough to drive home - assuming our systems stay mild. HAL is letting us order meals from the MDR, and will escort us off to a taxi stand. 

I hope you stay well enough to drive home.  We have a cruise coming up November 5 on the NS and have mixed feelings!  I caught COVID after a July Celebrity cruise.  I cancelled a September cruise with RCI.  My dh stayed well.  We are both fully vaccinated with two boosters.  I sincerely wish you the best.

[silversneakers]

It could also be that the flu is ramping up so it could be flu, Noro, or COVID. On our last recent cruise it seemed some crew were in quarantine but they never announced that specifically.  When they were having an emergency test drill. part of that announcement was that crew in isolation should stay in isolation and not participate. There were a minimum number of people wearing masks and it was "recommended" but not required.