Masking Experience?

[kl630]

Forgive me if this is somewhere else. I have seen a lot about testing and vaccinations, but I wonder how those of you who have cruised felt about wearing a mask in all indoor places? Of course we’ve done this for some time, but how was the VACATION experience having to do this? We have a cruise booked and it would be so nice to be able to eliminate the mask, but we’re not there.

 

I appreciate any feedback that you can give me. We are very active and like to be out and about. Thank you again!

[Sea Hag]

Honestly, we didn't think it was a big deal. Of course, I'd rather not wear a mask, but wearing one when we were around other people didn't bother us. When we were out walking laps on the open deck, we took them off, as I believe we were allowed to do. Kept them on for ports of call except for hiking trails and walking paths where there were no other people.

[Bgwest]

Since cruising restarted, we’ve been on 3 cruises wearing masks where required. 
 

for us, NOT a big deal. Gotten so used to them the biggest headache is forgetting one in the cabin and having to retreat and grab it. 
 

LET’S SAIL. AND GET THOSE SHOTS!!!

[azbirdmom]

Like others have said, it's no big deal to us.  I also had a problem early on in the cruise remembering my mask but would catch myself when I was just a couple steps away from the cabin door.  My brain was in cruise mode which never required a mask before so I slipped momentarily a couple times.  But everything was fine.  It didn't change our enjoyment of the cruise one bit.

[Musky Ike]

Honestly the plane ride there and home was a worse mask experience than the cruise. You are not masked in your cabin/balcony or open decks or pools/hot tubs or eating or drinking pretty much what we do onboard. The production shows could be a little annoying with a mask but 45 min, not hours. As others have said forgetting it in the room was an issue. Shoreside just in stores or transportation. 

[4cats4me]

Not an issue at all. We've  been masked since April 2020 in California so it was definitely no big deal.  The minute we were eating or drinking, off it came.  

[fluffybunny22]

I'm okay with masking and so is my family. My in laws are supposed to go on our next cruise with us in June. The vibe I'm getting from my MIL and FIL is that they don't want to mask or test. We are going to revisit it before final payment but we might be going without them if restrictions are in place and they don't want to comply. We just did a road trip with them last weekend and they wouldn't mask or test prior.

[4cats4me]

The OP is interested in the experiences of those who have ACTUALLY masked  up on recent cruises.  

 

I have ACTUALLY experienced wearing the mask onboard, and once again, not an issue AT ALL.  Why are others attempting to steer this thread in a different direction? Because that wasn’t the question.   

[starboardcruiser]

I have become very accustomed to wearing a mask pretty much anywhere I go at home. I did not find wearing a mask to interfere with my enjoyment of my cruise. I was one of the people who kept it on more than required because I didn't want to bother messing with it if I were passing through an area where it was not required. I was out and about a lot. I also wore my mask (indoors and outdoors, without many areas for reprieve) during a Walt Disney World vacation earlier in the year; wearing it on the cruise ship was much less noticeable than in the Florida heat. Alaska asked that passengers wear masks while ashore, and that didn't affect me either. My perspective is that I'd rather be on vacation with a mask on than not be on vacation at all. I felt especially welcome by the crew and businesses ashore, which made any inconvenience worth it. I hope my experience is helpful for you.

[Steelers36]

What seems to be different about Princess is there is no provision for mask exemptions which many <most(?)> areas have in bylaws - at least where we live.  As for outdoors, it makes no sense to be wearing masks outdoors.  I hope when we cruise, Covid-19 is finished and gone for all intents and purposes.

[Host CJSKIDS]

While it isn’t a big deal, it was a bit of a pain.  Even though I live in Florida and was in Miami where we had to wear a mask even while outside, there was just something strange about being in a bathing suit and then having to wear a mask to visit the bathroom on the cruise.  

 

Won’t keep me from stepping back on board again!

 

 

[ontheweb]

9 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

What seems to be different about Princess is there is no provision for mask exemptions which many <most(?)> areas have in bylaws - at least where we live.  As for outdoors, it makes no sense to be wearing masks outdoors.  I hope when we cruise, Covid-19 is finished and gone for all intents and purposes.

Could you explain what you mean by "mask exemptions"? Do you mean places you do not have to wear them, such as outdoors on the deck, or are you referring to possibly some people not having to wear masks for say medical reasons or for being fully vaccinated?

[Steelers36]

37 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Could you explain what you mean by "mask exemptions"? Do you mean places you do not have to wear them, such as outdoors on the deck, or are you referring to possibly some people not having to wear masks for say medical reasons or for being fully vaccinated?

The latter.  AFAIK, they are not required outdoors on open deck.

[billco]

14 hours ago, 4cats4me said:

The OP is interested in the experiences of those who have ACTUALLY masked  up on recent cruises.  

 

I have ACTUALLY experienced wearing the mask onboard, and once again, not an issue AT ALL.  Why are others attempting to steer this thread in a different direction? Because that wasn’t the question.   

I agree. Just completed an Alaskan cruise on the Majestic Princess. The only issue I had was initially I sometimes forgot to wear my mask when leaving my cabin and had to go back for it. Once, I was stopped at the entrance to the dining room and the host provided me with a mask. I solved the issue by carrying an extra mask in my pocket. Breathing a bit more when going up the stairs was good exercise. I saw very few people who weren't complying or even talking about it.

[Sea Emerald]

We are looking forward to our upcoming cruise on the Majestic.  Even with a mask.  After the year DH and and I have had wearing a mask isn't  a big deal.  We are just thankful to be going.  And since we are going to Alaska I may wear one outside just to stay warm.  Brrrrr

[FredZiffle]

Wearing a mask didn't bother me much at all.  But then, I followed the required policy rather than wearing a mask every time I stepped out of my cabin.  I put the mask on as I entered a dining area; disembarked at the ports; or went in the casino or the theater.  I did not wear it when walking around around the ship inside or out, or when sitting somewhere reading or having a drink.  I would say I was maskless for 90% of the cruise.

[geoherb]

I got used to wearing a mask on my Majestic cruise last month. It does seem pretty arbitrary. I did not see many people like Fred walking around inside without masks. I took mine off when I was outside unless around a lot of other people, such as our day at Glacier Bay. 

 

I skipped going to the gym because I saw maskless people there on the treadmills the first day. 

[Stokie33]

Picked up a tip on one of the forums to put a magnet hook on the inside of your cabin door and hang your mask here so you always saw it on your way out, got to say it worked a treat and never forgot it 

[SargassoPirate]

Here is an interesting tidbit from the CDC conditional sailing order as revised on August 27, 2021.

 

 

• For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas. Confirmation that 95% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated must be made available to CDC upon request.

COVID-19 Operations Manual for Simulated and Restricted Voyages under the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order | Quarantine | CDC

 

 

 

[Steelers36]

15 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

Here is an interesting tidbit from the CDC conditional sailing order as revised on August 27, 2021.

 

 

• For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas. Confirmation that 95% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated must be made available to CDC upon request.

COVID-19 Operations Manual for Simulated and Restricted Voyages under the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order | Quarantine | CDC

 

 

 

I like this approach.

[Daniel A]

33 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

Here is an interesting tidbit from the CDC conditional sailing order as revised on August 27, 2021.

 

 

• For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas. Confirmation that 95% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated must be made available to CDC upon request.

COVID-19 Operations Manual for Simulated and Restricted Voyages under the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order | Quarantine | CDC

 

 

 

 

18 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I like this approach.

If this guidance was published almost a month ago, then why is Princess (and other lines) still requiring masking in all indoor venues?

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

8 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

 

If this guidance was published almost a month ago, then why is Princess (and other lines) still requiring masking in all indoor venues?

 

Maybe cruise lines are trying their hardest Not to have break thru cases onboard.

Some of us have cruises This year, and early next year, and appreciate added safety.

 

For those who (like a couple posters above) have cruises in a Year or Two?

Your requirements may be very different.  Just sayin'

 

[wowzz]

43 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

 

If this guidance was published almost a month ago, then why is Princess (and other lines) still requiring masking in all indoor venues?

Princess in the UK are only requiring masks to be worn when walking around inside, and in the theatre, plus one other indoor venue [[Princess Live?]

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, Daniel A said:

 

If this guidance was published almost a month ago, then why is Princess (and other lines) still requiring masking in all indoor venues?

YGIAGAM.

[lx200gps]

1 hour ago, Daniel A said:

 

If this guidance was published almost a month ago, then why is Princess (and other lines) still requiring masking in all indoor venues?

Technically, I don't think they are. Their website specifies the internal areas where masks are formally required, like elevators, shops, etc but the wording seems to exclude large swathes of the interior spaces and as always, common sense should prevail. AFAIK, reports from folks currently or recently on the ships say that masks aren't 100% evident in the internal spaces, but fortunately most are being responsible and wearing them when required.