Sky Princess implements new mask wearing rule … sip and cover!

[seapals2]

This notice has been recently put out onboard.  Sitting sipping your drinks in the bar and lounges now needs to be done wearing mask. 

[antsp]

I’ve got a cruise booked with a fcc, after that it’s bye bye cruising until masks are no more for me. 

[GonzoWCS]

Wowzers

[lx200gps]

We're on the Sky on 20 November, but our drop dead final cancellation date is 30 days before, so fast approaching. If this is not explained/resolved very soon, we will most assuredly be cancelling. Hopefully this related to a UK/European/TA issue only, and there is an explanation forthcoming. If they can't confirm to us that this will not apply out of PE in late November, we're gone.

[Astro Flyer]

35 minutes ago, lx200gps said:

If they can't confirm to us that this will not apply out of PE in late November, we're gone.

On 10/14 for USA cruises Princess posted new requirements through 2/28/22 in their CruiseHealth webpage.

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/us-cruises/

 

Mask policy varies depending on voyage length.

Voyages less than 10 days:

First, we strongly encourage guests wear face masks when in public spaces indoors. ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators, retails shops, in the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate. As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board.

Voyages 10 days or longer:

All guests must wear face masks covering their nose and mouth while indoors at all times. Exceptions are made while they are eating or drinking, receiving spa treatments relating to the face, during high-intensity exercise, in pools, whirlpools or sauna, as well as in their stateroom.

 

[sammybonny]

We were on Sky 2 weeks ago and it was bad enough having to wear a mask whilst in the theatre, it became quite uncomfortable after a while and I wouldn't have wanted to have to wear all the time. The weather wasn't good enough to spend time outside so I think we would have spent more time in the cabin.

[lx200gps]

11 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

On 10/14 for USA cruises Princess posted new requirements through 2/28/22 in their CruiseHealth webpage.

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/us-cruises/

 

Mask policy varies depending on voyage length.

Voyages less than 10 days:

First, we strongly encourage guests wear face masks when in public spaces indoors. ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators, retails shops, in the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate. As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board.

Voyages 10 days or longer:

All guests must wear face masks covering their nose and mouth while indoors at all times. Exceptions are made while they are eating or drinking, receiving spa treatments relating to the face, during high-intensity exercise, in pools, whirlpools or sauna, as well as in their stateroom.

 

That would help explain things. The original post did not mention the duration of the cruise, so if it is longer than 10 days, then this nasty new rule would apply. AFAIK the Sky is not yet on its TA, and I wasn't sure what trip it is currently on.

 

Can anyone help out, what itinerary is the Sky currently on and is it longer than 10 days?

Edited October 16, 2021 by lx200gps

[minikiss]

We got off the Sky yesterday and this was the policy, especially in the theatre as there was no social distancing, i cant remember seeing anyone who didn't. It was also recommended in Princess live. 

I didn't see anyone complaining about it either.

 

Mask wearing here in the UK is suggested  in shops, venues and indoor areas but its a personal choice, for us we are still very happy to wear one. 

So wearing them on board if it meant we could cruise again we were happy to go along with it. 

The way i see it is it's a small price to pay to have a much needed holiday. 

 

So ask your self do you want a holiday or not, as i said it's a small thing to do if you do.

Plus be aware all the crew will be wearing them and they do so all the time. 

They do so to keep you safe, by you wearing one to, you are showing them some respect for what they are doing to get cruising started again. 

[lx200gps]

7 minutes ago, minikiss said:

We got off the Sky yesterday and this was the policy, especially in the theatre as there was no social distancing, i cant remember seeing anyone who didn't. It was also recommended in Princess live. 

I didn't see anyone complaining about it either.

 

Mask wearing here in the UK is suggested  in shops, venues and indoor areas but its a personal choice, for us we are still very happy to wear one. 

So wearing them on board if it meant we could cruise again we were happy to go along with it. 

The way i see it is it's a small price to pay to have a much needed holiday. 

 

So ask your self do you want a holiday or not, as i said it's a small thing to do if you do.

Plus be aware all the crew will be wearing them and they do so all the time. 

They do so to keep you safe, by you wearing one to, you are showing them some respect for what they are doing to get cruising started again. 

We were/are fully and happily prepared to use the masks, within reason, per the Princess requirements, as they clearly did not require masking like this, for shorter trips. Now demanding the wearing of masks WHILE DRINKING IN BAR etc etc is so far beyond reasonable for us, that it would certainly cause us to cancel.  I can only hope that this posting is in regards to the fact the specific trip Y128N quoted in the letter is in fact longer than 10 days, so would not affect shorter trips like ours.

[trvlwrld]

This makes me NOT interested in cruising anymore...maybe they're hoping we all cancel and our FCC goes away fir good!

[taxmantoo]

Sip and cover between sips??? Really???  This is getting beyond ridiculous.  These are fully vaccinated cruises! 

[Ginnyfyr]

2 hours ago, lx200gps said:

That would help explain things. The original post did not mention the duration of the cruise, so if it is longer than 10 days, then this nasty new rule would apply. AFAIK the Sky is not yet on its TA, and I wasn't sure what trip it is currently on.

 

Can anyone help out, what itinerary is the Sky currently on and is it longer than 10 days?

She's currently off the coast of France. Not sure how long her itinerary is though. Edited to add I just looked at the FAQ's for autumn sailings from the UK and autumn transatlantics and it says the same thing. 

Edited October 16, 2021 by Ginnyfyr

[GonzoWCS]

2 hours ago, minikiss said:

We got off the Sky yesterday and this was the policy, especially in the theatre as there was no social distancing, i cant remember seeing anyone who didn't. It was also recommended in Princess live. 

I didn't see anyone complaining about it either.

 

Mask wearing here in the UK is suggested  in shops, venues and indoor areas but its a personal choice, for us we are still very happy to wear one. 

So wearing them on board if it meant we could cruise again we were happy to go along with it. 

The way i see it is it's a small price to pay to have a much needed holiday. 

 

So ask your self do you want a holiday or not, as i said it's a small thing to do if you do.

Plus be aware all the crew will be wearing them and they do so all the time. 

They do so to keep you safe, by you wearing one to, you are showing them some respect for what they are doing to get cruising started again. 

Well said

 

Cheers

[PrincessLuver]

3 hours ago, minikiss said:

We got off the Sky yesterday and this was the policy, especially in the theatre as there was no social distancing, i cant remember seeing anyone who didn't. It was also recommended in Princess live. 

I didn't see anyone complaining about it either.

 

Mask wearing here in the UK is suggested  in shops, venues and indoor areas but its a personal choice, for us we are still very happy to wear one. 

So wearing them on board if it meant we could cruise again we were happy to go along with it. 

The way i see it is it's a small price to pay to have a much needed holiday. 

 

So ask your self do you want a holiday or not, as i said it's a small thing to do if you do.

Plus be aware all the crew will be wearing them and they do so all the time. 

They do so to keep you safe, by you wearing one to, you are showing them some respect for what they are doing to get cruising started again. 

 

Where we live it is required in all public indoor places and it is just the norm.  Even at my health club everyone wears one even running on a treadmill.  I am so tired of the mask complainers and whiners that I am happy they are canceling and will not be cruising.  

 

Princess is trying hard enough to get us back cruising and the last thing they need are others challenging their best efforts at health and safety for all.

[Ginnyfyr]

1 minute ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Where we live it is required in all public indoor places and it is just the norm.  Even at my health club everyone wears one even running on a treadmill.  I am so tired of the mask complainers and whiners that I am happy they are canceling and will not be cruising.  

 

Princess is trying hard enough to get us back cruising and the last thing they need are others challenging their best efforts at health and safety for all.

I was pleasantly surprised on our 9/19 Alaska sailing that the majority of people chose to wear a mask indoors even when it wasn't required. I think we're all just used to it now. 

[lx200gps]

16 minutes ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Where we live it is required in all public indoor places and it is just the norm.  Even at my health club everyone wears one even running on a treadmill.  I am so tired of the mask complainers and whiners that I am happy they are canceling and will not be cruising.  

 

Princess is trying hard enough to get us back cruising and the last thing they need are others challenging their best efforts at health and safety for all.

Are you actually saying that someone who complains about having to wear a mask while drinking in  bar, having to lower the mask to take a sip,  is unreasonable?

[Blackduck59]

Well there comes a point where mask rules are little over the top.

We have a mask mandate in my home province  and we follow it. the big thing that makes it palatable is that once you are seated at the table the mask comes off. Leave the table mask goes on. Mask up and down between sips? No thanks.

I hope this is sorted by August next year because mask on mask off while sitting at a table is just out of the question. I'm sorry thousands of dollars for a vacation with more draconian rules than at home...no thanks. I can go to an amazing array of restaurants here all with social distancing rules, and partitions between the tables and I can enjoy fine cocktails and a delicious meals at my table without my mask on.

I don't like the masks but wear them, on and off between drinks no thanks.

[1965]

4 hours ago, minikiss said:

We got off the Sky yesterday and this was the policy, especially in the theatre as there was no social distancing, i cant remember seeing anyone who didn't. It was also recommended in Princess live. 

I didn't see anyone complaining about it either.

 

Mask wearing here in the UK is suggested  in shops, venues and indoor areas but its a personal choice, for us we are still very happy to wear one. 

So wearing them on board if it meant we could cruise again we were happy to go along with it. 

The way i see it is it's a small price to pay to have a much needed holiday. 

 

So ask your self do you want a holiday or not, as i said it's a small thing to do if you do.

Plus be aware all the crew will be wearing them and they do so all the time. 

They do so to keep you safe, by you wearing one to, you are showing them some respect for what they are doing to get cruising started again. 

Well said. 😊

[awhcruiser]

6 hours ago, antsp said:

I’ve got a cruise booked with a fcc, after that it’s bye bye cruising until masks are no more for me. 

Id rather wear the mask than stay home

[awhcruiser]

6 hours ago, lx200gps said:

We're on the Sky on 20 November, but our drop dead final cancellation date is 30 days before, so fast approaching. If this is not explained/resolved very soon, we will most assuredly be cancelling. Hopefully this related to a UK/European/TA issue only, and there is an explanation forthcoming. If they can't confirm to us that this will not apply out of PE in late November, we're gone.

What explanation is needed?  

[awhcruiser]

3 hours ago, trvlwrld said:

This makes me NOT interested in cruising anymore...maybe they're hoping we all cancel and our FCC goes away fir good!

More room for the rest of us.  

[Blackduck59]

20 minutes ago, awhcruiser said:

More room for the rest of us.  

 

More likely more room for those who feel the rules don't apply to them. Enjoy your cruise. As I said I don't like masks but do wear them as per rules I am willing to follow. It's one thing to wear a mask while moving about but once seated at a table or by the pool or any other stationary position mask off. Of course this would require some spacing for safety. I'm guessing these new rules are to facilitate closer tables and loungers etc. because they want more capacity. Oh oops there goes the more room🤔

[dave_k58]

I am on the TA Nov 5 and never got this email.  I am thinking that they must have lost my email, or maybe it doesn't apply to TA

[Waterluv]

I think the whining and politicization around mask benefits and mask wearing is the most painful and unpleasant thing in all of this. I’m on board in December and we are looking forward to it. We’ve been on several land based vacations since the pandemic and the mask was required, no biggie. I just hope and pray as we unfortunately become sillier and more petty as a society in general that the next nutty group doesn’t decide and start complaining about having to wear clothes in public 🤪 darn hot clothes, rubbing up against my skin, not designer…I want to be free. I was born naked and it’s my right to be naked in any restaurant, theater, cruise ship, airplane that I choose. I don’t care if everyone else around me gets sick 🤒😂 Lighten up, wear the mask😷if you disagree then stay home until things are more suited to the way you prefer them to be. Stay happy or  get happy and good health to you and yours everyone 

[AnyMajorCruiseDude]

26 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

More likely more room for those who feel the rules don't apply to them. Enjoy your cruise. As I said I don't like masks but do wear them as per rules I am willing to follow. It's one thing to wear a mask while moving about but once seated at a table or by the pool or any other stationary position mask off. Of course this would require some spacing for safety. I'm guessing these new rules are to facilitate closer tables and loungers etc. because they want more capacity. Oh oops there goes the more room🤔

Thanks for complying with the "rules" even when you don't necessarily agree.  I was told on the last cruise we were on in September that they were making more stringent rules as it was difficult to enforce protocols with some, so that more people would comply with what was considered acceptable.  There are always those that test the limits and it is difficult for crew to enforce without fear of retaliation.  By increasing the bar, it is easier to ask for "minimal" compliance.  They are just trying to keep their jobs and stay in business.  The vast majority on our cruise were totally compliant, but the few who weren't put everyone at risk.