Holland America experience with masks

[SusieKIslandGirl]

We were on the Eurodam for the TA ending Nov. 14. A number of crew members were in quarantine on Deck 4 and the rest of the crew were having to cover for them. The 2nd Executive Chef was making omelets a couple of mornings and I've never seen so many white shirts with gold braid clear tables. So even with crew and passengers fully vaccinated the virus does spread. At one point the rumor was over 40 were unavailable for work.

[Cruising-along]

1 hour ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

We were on the Eurodam for the TA ending Nov. 14. A number of crew members were in quarantine on Deck 4 and the rest of the crew were having to cover for them. The 2nd Executive Chef was making omelets a couple of mornings and I've never seen so many white shirts with gold braid clear tables. So even with crew and passengers fully vaccinated the virus does spread. At one point the rumor was over 40 were unavailable for work.

We were on the Eurodam Sept. 24-Oct. 18, so just before you.  

I read that the Tamarind had to close down because of crew with Covid during the TA  -- do you know if that's true?  

[sprockie]

Reading these comments I am now sure I won't be able to cruise for some time.  I'm very likely to blow my top at some point in the cruise and that won't be nice for anyone🤣  The masks below the nose and the attempts to dodge the regulations for masks makes me furious.  If you can't/don't want to wear a mask or be vaccinated - stay at home.  If everyone would do their part, this would be over faster and we could all return to a new normal - both cruising and on land.    

[KirkNC]

23 minutes ago, sprockie said:

Reading these comments I am now sure I won't be able to cruise for some time.  I'm very likely to blow my top at some point in the cruise and that won't be nice for anyone🤣  The masks below the nose and the attempts to dodge the regulations for masks makes me furious.  If you can't/don't want to wear a mask or be vaccinated - stay at home.  If everyone would do their part, this would be over faster and we could all return to a new normal - both cruising and on land.    

i agree 100% but we have to use up some FCC so we will cruise in Feb and June of 2022.  I have decided to play a mental game regarding masks and pretend they are optional.  Not optional for us, we will comply by wearing one while indoors, on excursions etc.  But by pretending they are optional I will not be tempted to ring someones neck who is gaming the rule.

[HALrunner]

2 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

 

 

Thanks for the info. That's the kind of situation that's hidden in the CDC's aggregate statistics. Currently, Eurodam is rated Orange by the CDC – being monitored.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/cruise-ship-color-status.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Ftravelers%2Fcrew-disembarkations-commercial-travel.html

 

The Eurodam's next departure is Nov 24^th?

 

I am reassured that orange means:

"Reported cases of COVID-19 are below the threshold for CDC investigation"

[esimon]

how long shall we wear masks?     i suggest it will NEVER end.   

[KAKcruiser]

That's what I'm afraid of, too.  At some point you have to trust that the vaccine will protect you. Nothing in life is 100 percent risk-free.

[foodsvcmgr]

As I mentioned the other day there are choices in US based cruises.

Why an anti-masker would insist on sailing Holland America when Celebrity and NCL do NOT require them just makes no sense at all.

[510picker]

We are just of the Nieuw Amsterdam sailing ending 11/20. I noticed a decline in mask usage by the end of the week. We rarely saw someone without a mask on day 1 and by day 7 it wasn’t uncommon to see someone without one. My wife and I were in the casino on day 2, both with drinks in hand and masks hanging from one ear, and a worker asked us to use our masks in between sips while someone at the machine next to us had no drink and no mask and nothing was said to them. Enforcement was consistently inconsistent. 

[nocl]

2 hours ago, KAKcruiser said:

That's what I'm afraid of, too.  At some point you have to trust that the vaccine will protect you. Nothing in life is 100 percent risk-free.

Sure once the case counts are low enough that the odds of encountering an infected person is low (such as it is with over illnesses such as measles, polio, whooping cough, etc) then vaccines can be the first and pretty much only line of defense.  Otherwise with efficacy rates in the 70% range, and high case counts, where the number of cases impact the rate of mutation, other protective measures will still be needed included testing, masking.  

[Chickadee910]

We got off the Eurodam last Sunday from the transatlantic from Barcelona. Had a great trip. Masks were a must in enclosed areas, casino, main stage,and other music venues unless drinking or eating and until you got to your table in the main diningroom. Most complied or you were told they needed to be worn correctly. On the tours they were worn on the buses but when we were off the bus most places you didn’t need them unless the area demanded them worn .hope this helps. Staff fully masked or double masked at all time. Can’t wait til next cruise.

[FlaMariner]

13 hours ago, 510picker said:

We are just of the Nieuw Amsterdam sailing ending 11/20. I noticed a decline in mask usage by the end of the week.

 

Good to hear....We are going on the NA for a short family 5 day cruise later in December and hope "mask theatre" has calmed down a bit.

 

[mightycruisequeen]

We've canceled all the cruises we had booked, except for one in December of next year, precisely because of all the Covid requirements to cruise on HAL.  We're taking alternative trips that aren't so restrictive, so that vacationing actually feels like a vacation.  Being on a ship with others glaring at me if I take more than one sip of Coke Zero before masking back up is so not my idea of relaxing and enjoying.  

These Covid discussions have become the new dress code threads. (Cue someone to say "but the way you dress won't kill someone".)🙄

[Nymich]

The good news is we still have people in the Lido wandering station to station in their bathrobes some with and some without matching masks.

[esimon]

13 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

I am also reassured that the CDC is on top of the situation. I wonder if the Eurodam was the ship mentioned in the CDC report? The one with consecutive mass outbreaks.

 

Each of us must make an individual decision about where and when to cruise. Information is crucial, since the cruise companies are unwilling to take a ship out of service.

 

In fact, there would be fewer people with the 'mask-is-optional' mentality if they knew the real situation. There are reasons why the CDC still rates cruising as High Risk (red), and still advises the un-vax (as well as vulnerable people) to avoid cruises.

 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-3/coronavirus-cruise-ship

 

 

 

I'm not pessimistic at the macro level. Science has caught up with covid in just one and a half years. With the current combo of vax mandate, testing and distancing; we should be able to eliminate the mask mandate in 2023.

 

The problem is that on some ships, people just get careless. 🙄

there are many of us the follow the rules but think many of the rules are made up - I'm a follow the money fan -  the fax wears off - get a booster- till this one wears off - and in the mean time wear a mask 

[Sunflower & The Scientist]

4 hours ago, Nymich said:

The good news is we still have people in the Lido wandering station to station in their bathrobes some with and some without matching masks.

BATHROBES????  Please say this is not so,😬 If this happens on our upcoming cruise, I cannot be held responsible for what comes out of my masked mouth.  

 

 

[MisterBill99]

9 minutes ago, Sunflower & The Scientist said:

BATHROBES????  Please say this is not so,😬 If this happens on our upcoming cruise, I cannot be held responsible for what comes out of my masked mouth.  

 

 

One positive thing about wearing a mask is that if you make a rude comment when you pass someone in the Lido, they won't know who said it. Worked well in the supermarket when I encountered someone not wearing a mask when they were still required.

Edited November 22, 2021 by MisterBill99

[Crazy For Cats]

37 minutes ago, Sunflower & The Scientist said:

BATHROBES????  Please say this is not so,😬 If this happens on our upcoming cruise, I cannot be held responsible for what comes out of my masked mouth.  

 

 

I have seen bathrobes in the lido on several cruises.  Thankfully they were tied shut.😆

[Nymich]

1 hour ago, Sunflower & The Scientist said:

BATHROBES????  Please say this is not so,😬 If this happens on our upcoming cruise, I cannot be held responsible for what comes out of my masked mouth.  

 

 

Oh yeah its true the bathrobe crowd unfortunately is well represented.

[syesmar]

On 11/21/2021 at 8:57 AM, HappyInVan said:

…That's the kind of situation that's hidden in the CDC's aggregate statistics. Currently, Eurodam is rated Orange by the CDC – being monitored.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/cruise-ship-color-status.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Ftravelers%2Fcrew-disembarkations-commercial-travel.html

 

The Eurodam's next departure is Nov 24^th?

 

FWIW, Eurodam went from Yellow to Orange on 11/18, based on data submitted 11/17. (Eurodam’s transatlantic sailing disembarked at Fort Lauderdale on 11/14).

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2794220-cdc-yellow-category-for-na-does-anyone-have-any-info-as-to-why/page/5/#comment-62169355

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by syesmar

[scubacruiserx2]

2 hours ago, Nymich said:

Oh yeah its true the bathrobe crowd unfortunately is well represented.

 

Bathrobe breakfast on the Eurodam Lido Deck .

 

[SargassoPirate]

16 minutes ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

Bathrobe breakfast on the Eurodam Lido Deck .

 

Better than seeing a speedo with black socks and black dress shoes. 

[ShipWalker]

2 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

Better than seeing a speedo with black socks and black dress shoes. 

 

Which reminds me to ask... are Gala nights now black mask affairs?

[OCruisers]

4 minutes ago, ShipWalker said:

 

Which reminds me to ask... are Gala nights now black mask affairs?

Funny!  😁

[Nymich]

37 minutes ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

Bathrobe breakfast on the Eurodam Lido Deck .

 

Calling all bathrobers.....this looks ridiculous.  

Great pic capturing the bathrober.  They are a dedicated bunch.