FFMilesJunkie Posted December 17, 2021 #1 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) 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 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted December 17, 2021 #2 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Not surprising but thanks for giving a heads up. Celebrity usually follows about a week after RCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristineb Posted December 17, 2021 #3 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_MI Posted December 17, 2021 #4 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 11 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl94 Posted December 17, 2021 #5 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbrook Posted December 17, 2021 #6 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 12 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FFMilesJunkie Posted December 17, 2021 Author #7 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted December 17, 2021 #8 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl94 Posted December 17, 2021 #9 Share Posted December 17, 2021 6 minutes ago, jelayne said: Refusing - who is requesting they return to port? I assume CDC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brontosphere Posted December 17, 2021 #10 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Definitely concerning but was always a possibility. Boarding Edge in 2 days, hopefully everything is smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookitdanno Posted December 17, 2021 #11 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl94 Posted December 17, 2021 #12 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Worth looking at ships status here https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/cruise-ship-color-status.html 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmas gran Posted December 17, 2021 #13 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the penguins Posted December 17, 2021 #14 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babr Posted December 17, 2021 #15 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mom says Posted December 17, 2021 #16 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 17 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted December 17, 2021 #17 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PTC DAWG Posted December 17, 2021 #18 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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… 8 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upwarduk Posted December 17, 2021 #19 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenb Posted December 17, 2021 #20 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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 ! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagoffee Posted December 17, 2021 #21 Share Posted December 17, 2021 It has been reported on the Oceania thread that Oceania sent an e mail with the same temporary policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordylad Posted December 17, 2021 #22 Share Posted December 17, 2021 here we go again 2 years on and nothing has really changed.... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfs2k Posted December 17, 2021 #23 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) 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 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted December 17, 2021 #24 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covepointcruiser Posted December 17, 2021 #25 Share Posted December 17, 2021 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. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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