Royal Temporarily Tightens Mask Policy..Celebrity Next?

[FFMilesJunkie]

Royal just announced that all cruises through at least January 5, 2022 will require all guests to be masked indoors unless actively eating or drinking.  No more vaccinated zones that do not require masks.  No word if Celebrity will introduce any temporary mask policy for the holiday sailings (I hope not, but would not be surprised if they do).  Here's the announcement from Royal:

 

• Dear valued Travel Partners,
•  
• With the recent uptick of COVID-19 in the world and added Omicron variant concerns, we feel it prudent to temporarily tighten our onboard health protocols to require masks indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking. This new update also applies to vaccinated areas and venues.
  
  We're sorry for any disappointment that this may cause your clients, but hope you understand that health and safety has and will always come first here at Royal Caribbean^®. Despite the new requirement, we know that your clients will still have a great time onboard.
  
  If your clients prefer to not sail as a result of this change or would like to reschedule their cruise, we will gladly assist. 
•  
• As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change.
  
  We look forward to seeing you & your clients onboard!

Edited December 17, 2021 by FFMilesJunkie

[Jim_Iain]

Not surprising but thanks for giving a heads up.   Celebrity usually follows about a week after RCL. 

[kristineb]

3 minutes ago, FFMilesJunkie said:

Royal just announced that all cruises through at least January 5, 2022 will require all guests to be masked indoors unless actively eating or drinking.  No more vaccinated zones that do not require masks.  No word if Celebrity will introduce any temporary mask policy for the holiday sailings (I hope not, but would not be surprised if they do).  Here's the announcement from Royal:

 

• Dear valued Travel Partners,
•  
• With the recent uptick of COVID-19 in the world and added Omicron variant concerns, we feel it prudent to temporarily tighten our onboard health protocols to require masks indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking. This new update also applies to vaccinated areas and venues.
  
  We're sorry for any disappointment that this may cause your clients, but hope you understand that health and safety has and will always come first here at Royal Caribbean^®. Despite the new requirement, we know that your clients will still have a great time onboard.
  
  If your clients prefer to not sail as a result of this change or would like to reschedule their cruise, we will gladly assist. 
•  
• As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change.
  
  We look forward to seeing you & your clients onboard!

Would be nice if they took temperature checks before everyone board's as well. 

[Steve_MI]

I sure hope not. We are booked on the Apex for New Years. I will cancel for sure if they pull this crap. There is no earthly way I would ever spend $7,000+ to wear a mask on vacation. 

[BigAl94]

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.

[melbrook]

I would be wearing one in certain areas anyway to be honest.  It's an easy way to add an extra layer of protection and I will do that before I give up another vacation.  I am wearing one now as I type...I wear it 7 hours a day at work so it's not even close to a deal breaker for me.  

[FFMilesJunkie]

NCL also temporary issues mask mandate starting today.  One of the Carnival ships was denied docking at Cabo today (or yesterday?)  due to positive Covid cases on board.  Looks like things are going to get interesting in the coming weeks.  Hoping for the best since we are on a holiday cruise starting next week but preparing in my mind for the changes that might be coming. 

[jelayne]

4 minutes 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.

Refusing - who is requesting they return to port?

[BigAl94]

6 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Refusing - who is requesting they return to port?

I assume CDC

[brontosphere]

Definitely concerning but was always a possibility. Boarding Edge in 2 days, hopefully everything is smooth. 

[bookitdanno]

18 minutes ago, kristineb said:

Would be nice if they took temperature checks before everyone board's as well. 

I think fully vaccinated and tested within 48 hours are enough..

As soon as they implement masking. I'm out.  That's not cruising for me. 

[BigAl94]

Worth looking at ships status here https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/cruise-ship-color-status.html

[emmas gran]

19 minutes ago, Steve_MI said:

I sure hope not. We are booked on the Apex for New Years. I will cancel for sure if they pull this crap. There is no earthly way I would ever spend $7,000+ to wear a mask on vacation. 

So a guy is not wearing a mask onboard, you later find he has COVID and you have been sat talking with him. Had you both been wearing masks you would be protected but without chances are you are also infected. Does that change your opinion.

[the penguins]

31 minutes ago, FFMilesJunkie said:

Royal just announced that all cruises through at least January 5, 2022 will require all guests to be masked indoors unless actively eating or drinking.  No more vaccinated zones that do not require masks.  No word if Celebrity will introduce any temporary mask policy for the holiday sailings (I hope not, but would not be surprised if they do).  Here's the announcement from Royal:

 

• Dear valued Travel Partners,
•  
• With the recent uptick of COVID-19 in the world and added Omicron variant concerns, we feel it prudent to temporarily tighten our onboard health protocols to require masks indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking. This new update also applies to vaccinated areas and venues.
  
  We're sorry for any disappointment that this may cause your clients, but hope you understand that health and safety has and will always come first here at Royal Caribbean^®. Despite the new requirement, we know that your clients will still have a great time onboard.
  
  If your clients prefer to not sail as a result of this change or would like to reschedule their cruise, we will gladly assist. 
•  
• As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change.
  
  We look forward to seeing you & your clients onboard!

Exactly what Silhouette did on all cruises from the UK in the summer. Didn't spoil either of our cruises an

 

 

 

[Babr]

16 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Refusing - who is requesting they return to port?

Perhaps they are being denied port entry at the nearest port rather than refusing to return. If they are overwhelmed, they may be looking for a way to disembark people, but the port will not allow it.

[mom says]

34 minutes ago, Steve_MI said:

I will cancel for sure if they pull this crap

It's  certainly your right to cancel if you feel your cruise will not meet your expectations. But to call a policy crap that is targeted at minimizing exposure to a variant that is spreading like wildfire? I can't believe you're  serious. Actually I can, which is even sadder.

[jelayne]

30 minutes 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.

Can you provide a link to where you saw the reports?  Does it mention how many passengers and crew are on board?  I think that ship can hold about 9,000 plus crew.  Even sailing at 40% passenger occupancy and  with crew  of 1500 or so, 36 people testing positive would be way less than 1% so I doubt the CDC would order the ship to return to port.

[PTC DAWG]

19 minutes ago, emmas gran said:

So a guy is not wearing a mask onboard, you later find he has COVID and you have been sat talking with him. Had you both been wearing masks you would be protected but without chances are you are also infected. Does that change your opinion.

Not mine…

[upwarduk]

32 minutes ago, the penguins said:

Exactly what Silhouette did on all cruises from the UK in the summer. Didn't spoil either of our cruises an

 

 

 

I must admit I felt safer wearing my mask on the ship.

I was just pleased to be able to get away.

[kenb]

To all those going to cancel because of masks, that is your right. I have a cruise booked for 3/21 and if they require masks I will not love it but at least I will be on a cruise. Living in Michigan and having the infection rate that is happening, I already wear my mask. It is my choice !

[jagoffee]

It has been reported on the Oceania thread that Oceania sent an e mail with the same temporary policy.

[gordylad]

here we go again 2 years on and nothing has really changed....

[mfs2k]

44 minutes ago, emmas gran said:

. Does that change your opinion.

It’s been pretty hard to change anyones opinion about anything in the past 6 years in the US. 

Edited December 17, 2021 by mfs2k
Edit

[cruisestitch]

Lordy I hope Celebrity doesn’t do the same as Royal. The number-of-children factor is so different between the two lines.

 

Sailed on equinox in November with fewer than 10 children aboard, no mask requirement, it was a cruise I never wanted to end.

 

currently on a Royal Caribbean ship. There are some mask free zone for vaccinated, my sanctuariess, including Schooner bar and Casino and solarium and diamond lounge. When this goes into effect on Royal it will be masks everywhere. I already can’t wait to get off and switch over to a celebrity ship. This mask on, mask off thing is burdensome and uncomfortable.

[Covepointcruiser]

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.