Covid Precautions and Transparency Celebrity (Reflection)

[trio on the move]

Question regarding recent cruises where masks and vaccinations are now not required:

 

We will be wearing masks in indoor spaces on the cruise and have some questions. We understand we will be in the minority. Please no hostile, political or judgemental responses to the following questions. Just the facts please.
 

1.Are any of the cruise staff ie cabin stewards restaurant staff wearing masks? 

2. Approximate percentage of guests who may be wearing masks.

 

3.If you have been on a cruise and there was a covid outbreak in the last month was the ship transparent about it? We understand that the CDC no longer reports covid cases to the public on ships, only categorizes the status of severity of outbreaks.

 

Thank You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jelayne]

We were on in December.  Masks are optional for staff, most did not wear masks.   I would estimate that 5-10% of passengers wore masks.

[WestLakeGirl]

Will you be cruising later this month, next month or six months from now? This is such a fluid situation……….

[mari10]

We on The Beyond in December. 
I would say less than 5% of passengers had masks. 
I only saw on crew member who was dusting and washing the handrails have a mask on. 
There was never a mention of Covid by the Captain, so have no idea if any or how many cases were reported. 

[nunuc2000]

We got off a cruise on Dec 17th in Port Canaveral (RCL), so while not technically a Celebrity ship, still fairly relevant and current: 

 

-much like jelayne's experience, we found that about 10% of guests were masked in busier settings, like lineups for the MDR, theatre, lobby entertainment activities (we were among those folks)

-about 10% - 20% of staff were masked through the 8 days, including some room stewards and some MDR/bar staff

-No announcements of any cases of covid, no real chatter about it, and on our cruise at least, it didn't seem prevalent at all - we did not witness any significant coughing or other illness symptoms, and we personally (group of 5 of us) stayed healthy throughout and returned home healthy too

 

 

 

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, trio on the move said:

Question regarding recent cruises where masks and vaccinations are now not required:

 

We will be wearing masks in indoor spaces on the cruise and have some questions. We understand we will be in the minority. Please no hostile, political or judgemental responses to the following questions. Just the facts please.
 

1.Are any of the cruise staff ie cabin stewards restaurant staff wearing masks? 

2. Approximate percentage of guests who may be wearing masks.

 

3.If you have been on a cruise and there was a covid outbreak in the last month was the ship transparent about it? We understand that the CDC no longer reports covid cases to the public on ships, only categorizes the status of severity of outbreaks.

 

Thank You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Nov. 2022

 

1.Are any of the cruise staff ie cabin stewards restaurant staff wearing masks? All were required, they didn't like it but of course they complied

2. Approximate percentage of guests who may be wearing masks. I would guesstimate less than 5%, I was not among them

3.If you have been on a cruise and there was a covid outbreak in the last month was the ship transparent about it? We understand that the CDC no longer reports covid cases to the public on ships, only categorizes the status of severity of outbreaks. While I'd not call it an "outbreak" on the last full day the captain announced that 5 passengers had tested positive, I would not have known if he had not told us.  

 

[Luvcrusn]

We were on Equinox in December and few passengers wore masks, maybe about 5% We did wear them in elevators, theater etc. and noone commented.  Only a few of the staff wore them, although some did. Our stateroom attendant didn't most days that we saw him, however I returned to the cabin one day while he was doing a cleaning during the cruise and he was masked up. There were no announcements made regarding covid cases. I did talk to one couple at the pool daily whose friend had  102 degree fever but I don't think they reported it to medical and just stayed in his cabin. His wife was out and about however as were their friends.

[Saturngrl]

I'm okay with whomever chooses to wear a mask, although my DH and will not.  The best additional precaution you may take is using the hand sanitizer every chance you get (they are all over the ship).  I also bring a small bottle of my own to use after touching rails, door knobs, in the casino, etc.  I consider every public area contaminated by one bug or another and this approach works well for me (I am a healthcare worker).   Enjoy your cruise! 

[Honolulu Blue]

2 hours ago, trio on the move said:

Question regarding recent cruises where masks and vaccinations are now not required:

 

We will be wearing masks in indoor spaces on the cruise and have some questions. We understand we will be in the minority. Please no hostile, political or judgemental responses to the following questions. Just the facts please.
 

1.Are any of the cruise staff ie cabin stewards restaurant staff wearing masks? 

2. Approximate percentage of guests who may be wearing masks.

 

3.If you have been on a cruise and there was a covid outbreak in the last month was the ship transparent about it? We understand that the CDC no longer reports covid cases to the public on ships, only categorizes the status of severity of outbreaks.

I was on the Millennium in November.  Masks and vaccinations were not required.  Answering your questions:

 

1.  I saw a few staff wearing masks - maybe 10% overall

2.  I estimate that 1-2% of passengers were wearing masks

3.  We didn't have an outbreak

[jwlane]

1 hour ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Will you be cruising later this month, next month or six months from now? 

Future doesn't matter---OP is asking about recent past experiences.

[OysterD]

49 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

From Nov. 2022

 

1.Are any of the cruise staff ie cabin stewards restaurant staff wearing masks? All were required, they didn't like it but of course they complied

 

Which ship was that in November?

 

On Reflection in October only crew who had just joined the ship had to wear a mask for the first 5 days I think it was. After day 5 or whatever it was, I don't think I saw any cabin stewards or restaurant staff wearing them (or if so it was only a tiny handful).

[LGW59]

9 minutes ago, OysterD said:

Which ship was that in November?

 

On Reflection in October only crew who had just joined the ship had to wear a mask for the first 5 days I think it was. After day 5 or whatever it was, I don't think I saw any cabin stewards or restaurant staff wearing them (or if so it was only a tiny handful).

Edge TA Oct 24-Nov 7

 

[Arizona Wildcat]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

From January 2023

 

1.Are any of the cruise staff ie cabin stewards restaurant staff wearing masks? Virtually none

2. Approximate percentage of guests who may be wearing masks. Agree with 5% or less

3.If you have been on a cruise and there was a covid outbreak in the last month was the ship transparent about it? We understand that the CDC no longer reports covid cases to the public on ships, only categorizes the status of severity of outbreaks. Not exactly.  Was told a few days into our cruise there were 8 cabins occupied with those that tested positive for covid on our 14 day cruise.  There was a flu outbreak.  Nobody seemed to care.  Passengers had to show vaccination proof to disembark in Colombia.  

 

 

[jelayne]

7 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Edge TA Oct 24-Nov 7

 

Celebrity did require the staff to wear masks on the TAs and TPs but not on other sailings.

[gold1953]

sailed B2B Reflection in Dec. About 2% passengers wore masks.. maybe 2%  So many people coughing but probably covid, RSV and flu mixed. 

 

[deliver42]

We were on the Beyond early December and very few passngers and very few crew members wore masks, and I didn't  hear any snide remarks at people that were masked.

[jwlane]

4 hours ago, trio on the move said:

Just the facts please.

Based on recent posts on this board:

1.  Few

2.  Few

3.  Few (if any) announcements.

[LaCal]

We still wear ours and i’d guess that less than 5% of guests do 

 

On our November cruise By mid cruise the amount of people hacking and coughing was really noticeable 😷😷

 

Our cabin steward was isolated day 3 and his replacement let us know he had tested positive and wasn’t really suppose to let us know that 🙈

 

Covid’s still happening including a new strain and add in the Flu and RSV 😷😷 …….Even knowing masks aren’t 100% they are still better than zero mask……Especially how people jam pack the elevators 10+ deep and then coughing coughing coughing 😳😳

[all2me]

We have cruised 3 tx during Covid. Each time a different line. We have worn masks on flights, inside airport, outside of our ships cabins, walking around inside ship, elevator and into dining areas. Did not do any shows. Ate outside in good weather. But did do bus excursions…masked. Outside unmasked. Very few worn by others…unless required. More staff did….sometimes required. We managed to avoid Covid to this day….and have tested often. We know we have had much exposure..Spoke with other passengers that were out of quarantine. 
At this point of time…we may not be so careful. Have a March cruise. But we do think it likely helps. Worth wearing while traveling? We don’t love it and enjoy not wearing them lately….other than nursing home visits. Maybe this newest highly infectious variant will finally get us. Well….maybe we will wear our masks on March cruise….??? 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We just disembarked Reflection yesterday.  Heard very few guests coughing, sneezing, etc. Saw a few more masks towards the end of the cruise on passengers.  A few crew members were masked but not our butler or cabin attendant or restaurant waiters. We felt very comfortable on board but there was a lot of coughing and sneezing on the flight home.  So far, so good.

[trio on the move]

Thank you for your reply. Very helpful. 

[trio on the move]

Thanks for your response. Much appreciated.

[lexmiller]

16 hours ago, gold1953 said:

sailed B2B Reflection in Dec. About 2% passengers wore masks.. maybe 2%  So many people coughing but probably covid, RSV and flu mixed. 

 

For your December Reflection B2B, was mandatory monitored testing done - were the B2B passengers required to undergo it?  All of the Eclipse sailings currently are forcing all B2B passengers to undergo mandatory monitored B2B testing - because of the "down under" itineraries - the Australia and New Zealand governments are requiring the tests apparently is the word.  I am keen to know if any other itineraries are forcing B2B passengers to test.  In the case of Australia and New Zealand, to board the ship passengers need only present an at home self-test (NOT monitored) and yet the B2B passengers must be tested in person by the crew.  Thanks in advance!

Edited January 10, 2023 by lexmiller
more info

[Lastdance]

It's all up to each individual; just remember, amount and duration!  We were on in Oct/Nov.  DH caught Covid and so did I, but I had no symptoms; DH ended up in the hospital for 5 days once we returned.  He rarely gets ill, so there is no way to tell who will get it and how it will effect them.  We were gone for a month, but as soon as we ditched our masks on an excursion, it happened a few days after onboard.  Before , we were very careful due to the ports we were visiting and wanted to see, not to mention we were onboard a ship for 26 days.  They tested us and we tested ourselves, otherwisw, I would have never known I had it.  Gofigure, as it is the nature of the beast. (Totally vaxed and boosted) We have a similar trip planned for this April!, so it is not stopping us from traveling, as you can get it any where...neither one of us has ever been sick on a cruise!  It was just our time.

Edited January 10, 2023 by Lastdance

[Jim_Iain]

22 hours ago, trio on the move said:

Question regarding recent cruises where masks and vaccinations are now not required:

 

We will be wearing masks in indoor spaces on the cruise and have some questions. We understand we will be in the minority. Please no hostile, political or judgemental responses to the following questions. Just the facts please.
 

1.Are any of the cruise staff ie cabin stewards restaurant staff wearing masks? 

2. Approximate percentage of guests who may be wearing masks.

 

3.If you have been on a cruise and there was a covid outbreak in the last month was the ship transparent about it? We understand that the CDC no longer reports covid cases to the public on ships, only categorizes the status of severity of outbreaks.

 

Thank You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was recently on a Solstice B2B in early December so this is only my perspective of this cruise.

On our first cruise only about 5% of the guests were wearing masks but on the second one (possibly because cases on land were surging and LA County had suggested mask wearing inside) the percentage rose to about 15%

 

Some crew are wearing masks but usually being due to protocol that all new staff must wear masks for 5 days after joining the ship.     After the first 5 days I believe it is a choice.    I've not heard that crew were prohibited from wearing masks if they chose to.

 

I know that there were cases on the ship but there were no announcements about cases an people who tested were isolated in their original cabin.    I  recall a couple months ago a ship did have announcement recommending people wear masks in the Casino and Theater.