COVID 19 Protocol Update

[AK2CA]

1 hour ago, K_e_short said:

"Same rules, but a better view and atmosphere then at home."

Yep! 

[nwcruiselover]

I’m booked on a January cruise and have not received this.  It sounds like is was just sent out today.  Are there others who have not yet gotten the letter?

[Colorado Beach Bum]

Be interesting to see how this goes.  There was already more casino offers out there than ever as casino players spend money which has been helping Carnival.  And many of the bigger casino spenders (I know not all) are smokers who will now not book.  Good for the short run for everyone who dislikes the smoke but the reality is that smokers in the casino have always kept rates down for everyone.  Carnival tried years ago to go with a smoke free ship and that didn’t last very long at all. 

[CruiseBro16]

8 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said:

I’m booked on a January cruise and have not received this.  It sounds like is was just sent out today.  Are there others who have not yet gotten the letter?

Same here. I never got an email, but the update is on the carnival site. 

[JMKreno]

6 minutes ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Be interesting to see how this goes.  There was already more casino offers out there than ever as casino players spend money which has been helping Carnival.  And many of the bigger casino spenders (I know not all) are smokers who will now not book.  Good for the short run for everyone who dislikes the smoke but the reality is that smokers in the casino have always kept rates down for everyone.  Carnival tried years ago to go with a smoke free ship and that didn’t last very long at all. 

Societal acceptance of smoking was a lot higher 20 years ago. Remember when restaurants had smoking and non smoking? 20 years ago. Cars still had ash trays as standard features 20 years ago. Life has changed and I bet a non smoking ship would do fairly well. The Park MGM in Vegas has been so  successful since reopening as a amoke-free hotel that now 9 MGM properties nationwide are smoke free and there are plans for more. I think Carnival will survive. 

Edited December 18, 2021 by JMKreno

[BlerkOne]

The reality is smokers overvalue themselves. The number of smokers continues to decline, as does their contribution to the bottom line. 

 

What tantrums over a temporary change 

[Colorado Beach Bum]

1 minute ago, JMKreno said:

Societal acceptance of smoking wad a lot higher 20 years ago. Remember when restaurants had smoking and non smoking? 20 years ago.  Cars still had ash trays as standard features. Life has changed and I bet a non smoking ship would do fairly well. The Park MGM in Vegas has been so  successful since reopening as a amoke-free hotel that now 9 MGM properties nationwide are smoke free and there are plans for more. I think Carnival will survive. 

Of course they will survive- well, they should. Businesses will always adjust and change their model accordingly.  Casino revenue on land has shifted from >50% to <50% over the years.  Carnival will get their revenue from somewhere, more pay restaurants, higher rates, etc. 

[Colorado Beach Bum]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

The reality is smokers overvalue themselves. The number of smokers continues to decline, as does their contribution to the bottom line. 

 

What tantrums over a temporary change 

Not a smoker, not sure who you were saying was having a tantrum. 

[jlynchtx]

So do you really have to wear a mask when in the spa or the fitness center working out? 

[nwcruiselover]

1 minute ago, jlynchtx said:

So do you really have to wear a mask when in the spa or the fitness center working out? 

Sounds like it.

[JMKreno]

1 minute ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Of course they will survive- well, they should. Businesses will always adjust and change their model accordingly.  Casino revenue on land has shifted from >50% to <50% over the years.  Carnival will get their revenue from somewhere, more pay restaurants, higher rates, etc. 

And the loss of the now "less than a major minority" smokers is made up from people like my wife and I who have decent disposable income and avoid gambling because we hate breathing 2nd hand smoke from inconsiderate jerkwads directly wafting their cigarettes into our face at every.single.casino we play at.  Oh, and not smelling like an ash tray every time we out to dinner is also nice.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

1 minute ago, JMKreno said:

And the loss of the now "less than a major minority" smokers is made up from people like my wife and I who have decent disposable income and avoid gambling because we hate breathing 2nd hand smoke from inconsiderate jerkwads directly wafting their cigarettes into our face at every.single.casino we play at.  Oh, and not smelling like an ash tray every time we out to dinner is also nice.

All I said was that it would be interesting to see.  I’m a non-smoker so it’s fine by me.  I’ll go in the casino either way.  All I know is from experience seeing all the smokers in there.  If there is more profit without smokers I’m sure Carnival will go that direction.  I’m a gambler, but wouldn’t bet on it. 

[Old Fart Cruisers]

The website now says "MUST wear a facemask" (in the casino) while the email update says "are requested to wear masks", so it looks like the wording is still evolving.   The bad news is unless it changes, smoking will be allowed in the casino again starting in February as long as you are seated and playing.

CASINO (UPDATED DECEMBER 17, 2021)

For sailings through January 31, 2022 –
The following COVID-19 protocols will be implemented fleet-wide as we respond to the Omicron variant:

• There is no smoking in the casino at all times.
• Guests must wear a facemask and “sip and cover” when drinking their beverage.
• Seats at gaming tables and slots are reserved for players only.
• The casino bar is open but is a no-smoking area.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on board during refueling.

For sailings February through March 30, 2022 –

• There is no smoking in the casino unless you are seated and playing.
• Guests must wear a facemask and “sip and cover” when drinking their beverage.
• Seats at gaming tables and slots are reserved for players only.
• The casino bar is open but is a no-smoking area.
• Smoking is not permitted in the casino when closed.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on board during refueling.

 

Edited December 18, 2021 by Old Fart Cruisers

[BlerkOne]

27 minutes ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Of course they will survive- well, they should. Businesses will always adjust and change their model accordingly.  Casino revenue on land has shifted from >50% to <50% over the years.  Carnival will get their revenue from somewhere, more pay restaurants, higher rates, etc. 

They will make up a lot by charging normal rates and getting rid of the $25 rooms.

[jlynchtx]

25 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said:

Sounds like it.

This is sounding less and less like a vacation. I’m going to see how people say it goes this week, I may end up cancelling my January cruise if they are going to be crazy strict now. 

Edited December 18, 2021 by jlynchtx

[Saint Greg]

4 minutes ago, jlynchtx said:

This is sounding less and less like a vacation. I’m going to see how people say it goes this week, I may end up cancelling my January cruise if they are going to be crazy strict now. 

Yeah if they’re going to enforce all masks all the time indoors for March, I’ll look into canceling my sailabration cruise. 30 minute comedy show..fine. 2 minute elevator ride. No problem. But now we’re talking like 7 masked hours every evening. That’s too much.

[mondello]

We cruise 12/26 and just got our booster shots 10 days pre-cruise. Glad to see they only suggest booster at least 7 days pre-cruise.

[BlerkOne]

Just now, mondello said:

We cruise 12/26 and just got our booster shots 10 days pre-cruise. Glad to see they only suggest booster at least 7 days pre-cruise.

I think that is mostly to give the shot time to boost your immunity. 

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

4 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Yeah if they’re going to enforce all masks all the time indoors for March, I’ll look into canceling my sailabration cruise. 30 minute comedy show..fine. 2 minute elevator ride. No problem. But now we’re talking like 7 masked hours every evening. That’s too much.

Sounds like the ships may be less crowded for those of us that are used to wearing a mask or don't mind wearing one. 

[mondello]

Just now, BlerkOne said:

I think that is mostly to give the shot time to boost your immunity. 

I was just a little leery of someone making an issue at check-in that our booster was less than 14 days. I know we're considered fully vaccinated but, I was expecting some changes with the omicron rolling in.

[Saint Greg]

23 minutes ago, Steve and Sharon said:

Sounds like the ships may be less crowded for those of us that are used to wearing a mask or don't mind wearing one. 

I don’t take up THAT much space.

[JROBTX]

27 minutes ago, mondello said:

We cruise 12/26 and just got our booster shots 10 days pre-cruise. Glad to see they only suggest booster at least 7 days pre-cruise.

I sail 12/31 and cancelled my booster for today because I booked J&J and decided against it yesterday.  I’ll try tomorrow to find Moderna.  I was so afraid they were going to hold me to 14 days even though I got my original J&J vaccine back in March.  

[LaRue1975]

25 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Yeah if they’re going to enforce all masks all the time indoors for March, I’ll look into canceling my sailabration cruise. 30 minute comedy show..fine. 2 minute elevator ride. No problem. But now we’re talking like 7 masked hours every evening. That’s too much.

I feel 100% the same, I moved my Sailibration cruise on the Panorama to April 23rd to get a lido balcony so we would be steps from the upper decks. I was prepared for the protocols that were in place but this is too much, they even mention “sip and cover” in the casino. That’s it, those three words mean cancel my cruise to me. 

[BlerkOne]

57 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Yeah if they’re going to enforce all masks all the time indoors for March, I’ll look into canceling my sailabration cruise. 30 minute comedy show..fine. 2 minute elevator ride. No problem. But now we’re talking like 7 masked hours every evening. That’s too much.

Take a break and take in a deck party or an outside movie.

[BlerkOne]

24 minutes ago, LaRue1975 said:

I feel 100% the same, I moved my Sailibration cruise on the Panorama to April 23rd to get a lido balcony so we would be steps from the upper decks. I was prepared for the protocols that were in place but this is too much, they even mention “sip and cover” in the casino. That’s it, those three words mean cancel my cruise to me. 

It has been sip and cover in the casino.