Fredric22

If there are other ships calling in Aruba on the day we were supposed to arrive I'm assuming Covid isn't the reason for the cancelation. 

2 minutes ago, Jasonsterling said:

This isn't that much of a change unless you smoke. LOL- It's not any different than August. Thank god the casino bar will be reopened. I love that. Going on NYE and can't wait. 

Sip and cover in all bars/lounges would be a big change... 

16 minutes ago, BennyBrun said:

I am really shocked at the no smoking policy at the casino.  They did that in NJ when the pandemic first started and vaccine was not widely available but have since been lifted.  I will be on the Mardi Gras today so I will definitely check it out and report back the sentiment onboard.

Yes please report back. I'd really like to know if it's "mask up between bites and sips" in the lounges/bars.  

43 minutes ago, sanmarcosman said:

The new advisory states that masks are requested to be worn outdoors in large gatherings where social distancing can't be maintained. A deck party will very likely meet this definition. 

That's always been the language but doubt that would ever be enforced. 

3 minutes ago, adrianypr said:

Looks like my January cruise out of port canaveral changed to Miami. 🙄 

Not sure about that.  They brought in Liberty early so they could take the place if Horizon which needed an emergency dry dock.  I think it's is Miami temporarily. 

Sip and cover in the casino is one thing, but doing it in every bar or lounge around the ship while sitting and relaxing or listening to some music is another thing. That is what will be the deal breaker for me, personally. 

1 minute ago, K_e_short said:

 

It does change your plans for cruising depending on your plans.

 

I am on the Mardi Gras for New Years. 

I plan to sit outside at the pool, read, suntan, nap, and drink. Don't need a mask for that.

I don't mind wearing a mask to and from my cabin, to dinner, and in shows.

 

I also live where masks are required in indoor public areas all the time. We also just removed the option to eat and drink while seeing a movie.

 

These rules are more relaxed then at home.

Totally agree with you.  I was just on MSC and the rules were that you had to wear a mask everywhere indoors but once you were seated in a lounge or restaurant you could remove it.  I think that was very REASONABLE.  I did not have to worry about putting on my mask in between taking sips of my pina colada. 

Just now, sanmarcosman said:

Carnival's legal team doesn't choose poor words. It was meant as just that: a request. Pity.

Not sure why it is a pity?  But regardless, I don't see why they would go from "required" in certain areas to "requested" in all areas.  That just doesn't make sense.  I agree that the legal team doesn't choose poor words, but the PR/Comms team might not have consulted with the legal team before this announcement.  You'd like to think that these corporations have everything in order but I think sometimes mistakes happen. 

Just now, K_e_short said:

 

Remember before the cruise start up Christine Duffy said that they would not require vaccines.

That changed pretty fast.

I assume at some point if cruisers can't follow the rules it will be written as "mandatory."

Let's see if the rules are reasonable.  If I have to put my mask on between bites and sips when I am seated and relaxing in a lounge, then I highly doubt compliance will be good.  You want me to wear a mask in an elevator, or a crowded show? Fine... I might not agree that it is necessary but I will go along with it.  But if you want me to have it on at all times, worrying about pulling it up and pulling it down every time I take a sip or bite, then no I am not interested in doing that on vacation. But I certainly don't judge anyone who doesn't mind it.  In fact, I envy them! 🙂

Just now, K_e_short said:

 

Yes but the website says "requested" and thus that is different then "mandatory."

 

 

I think that might be a bit of a poor choice of words.  I would venture to guess that requested really means required in this instance.  

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

It is an improvement, but Carnival has to go the route of Royal and make MANDATORY.

HUH?  They are mandatory.  Carnival and Royal now have the exact same policy. 

1 minute ago, jnicktem said:

Can anyone explain to me how the masking policy is actually different from what they have been doing? I haven’t been on a cruise in a couple of years but will be going next month. To me it sounds the same to what they have already been doing.

Masks were only required in select indoor areas.. such as elevators, the casino, and the larger show lounges.  You did not have to wear a mask in the spa, fitness center, smaller lounges, the promenade, etc. 

Nope... not really interested in cruising with even tighter protocols.  Sorry Carnival (and other cruise lines) but you are now going over the line of "reasonable".  About to cancel our New Year's Eve cruise. 

57 minutes ago, CruisingSince1982 said:

Effective immediately. You should see the facebook posts from a person currently on the Freedom. They are making them pull their mask down when they sip their beverage, then put it right back up. Ridiculous. 

Putting the mask on in between bites and sips is absolutely where I draw the line.  If I cannot go into a lounge, sit down at a table with a drink and remove my mask, I am NOT interested.  This isn't an airplane! I truly hope RCL is not enforcing their mas rule like this. What's next, wearing the mask while seated at dinner too?  This has to stop... 

4 hours ago, BigAl94 said:

Reports that on Symphony of the Seas there are 36 cases of covid and that the medical facility of one doctor and two nurses are overwhelmed. Also being reported is that the ship is refusing to return to port.

Huh? This makes no sense. No cruise line would refuse to return to port if requested to do so by the CDC.

3 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Considering the U.S. just had the largest number of new infections since the Pandemic began today, 12/17, I can see new restrictions taking place.   Though not ideal, I will wear a mask as long as I can cruise.

This is literally false information.  The us recorded around 163,000 cases today.  On Jan 8th of this year, the US recorded over 300,000 cases. 

1 hour ago, sayvan said:

A ventilator would be even more burdensome and uncomfortable...  

This is a silly comparison.  It is not March 2020. 

I had a feeling this all had to do with a crew member who was either from or traveled to South Africa. This is why the CDC got involved immediately even though there have been more cases on other ships with little attention. My hunch is that the crew member is suspected omicron positive but will not likely know for sure until today or tomorrow after sequencing is completed. I'm assuming the crew member was in quarantine (perhaps just starting a contract?) and the positive test could have been picked up through routine testing. 

I have a feeling that the issue may have stemmed from a crew member with travel to/from Africa and may be the reason the cdc got involved so quickly. In my opinion the crew member has not been confirmed to have omicron but is instead "suspected" to have it as ncl's letter to guests on board says. My guess is they will be trying to confirm this within the next few days. This is just my hunch based on the language in the letter. 

10 minutes ago, seaman11 said:

But thats what I was saying, the whole ship was not tested at that time yesterday only the ones in close contact with the positive cases.  later they tested everyone before they could disembark,

I'm not sure why you keep repeating the wrong information. 🤷‍♂️🤣

35 minutes ago, BennyBrun said:

Yikes…. This is getting a little worse but it seems like their safe sailing protocols are working.

There have been bigger "outbreaks" on other ships over Iast 6 months.  All of these people are reported to have no symptoms so certainly not worse with regards to severe outcomes. 

33 minutes ago, bbnmom said:

If I didn't know better I would bet you were an antivaxxer. That being said I heard, I believe this morning, that the new variant "Omicron" shares much of the same DNA as the common cold. So I wonder if it is going to basically be no worse than such.

Understanding the limitations of masks and making a joke about them doesn't make me an anti-vaxxer. Thanks for the inaccurate label though! 

11 minutes ago, roger001 said:

Will just have to wait and see how this mask thing goes.  I’m scheduled next week.  I absolutely cannot do a cruise with masks.  They bother me just to much.  Each have their tolerance I guess.  Guess I’m out the bucks then if this comes to pass. Have insurance but it won’t cover this I assume.  What a mess.  

So I completely agree with you and I used to feel the exact same way. The week before we were supposed to go on the Carnival Mardi Gras they changed the rules and made masks required in certain areas.  Was so close to canceling but we had family going and kind of had to go.  Long story short, we had an amazing time and the amount of time that we were actually wearing masks was so tiny. We were always eating/drinking/outside and while the masks were a nuisance it didn't detract from our fun. Currently on MSC Meraviglia right now and masks are required indoors but in reality only when you're walking between 1 location and the next. Once you are seated in the lounge you can remove the mask.  So from someone who felt the same way as you I'd definitely recommend you take a second look at your decision. 

1 minute ago, wolft927 said:

Don’t forget masks required indoors and crowded outdoor areas

and also while sleeping...I heard. 

2 minutes ago, ShowMeCruise said:

I'll let you know as soon as we board as we're curious as well.

Can you tell us what they said with regards to omicron being detected?

If some or all of these 10 cases are omicron, I guarantee that if we tested every positive test done in the US today we would have thousands and thousands of omicron cases.

I wonder if they are saying that because of the "potential" for omicron they are making changes?  Very odd... all 10 are asymptomatic so perhaps that's how they knew it was omicron! 🤣🤦‍♂️

1 minute ago, Juncti said:

They just announced the ship has omicron. Looks like we're still sailing but now we need to sign a form(waiver I assume).

 

And now there's new restrictions, but no idea what they are. 

 

They just announced you can go get a refund and leave if you want

The ship has omicron? 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Ridiculous.