Experiences wearing masks on board

[bkrickles1]

I'm sailing Joy January 15th and I anticipate that the current mask mandate will probably continue through, at least, my sailing.

While I'm not at all pleased, me and my people are determined to make it a cruise for the ages.

I am interested to hear the experiences people are having wearing masks under the new protocols when these first sailings return next weekend.

For example, if I sit at a small table in the Mojito Bar to listen to music and have a drink, can I remove my mask as soon as I sit (like in a restaurant) and keep it off until I get up? Or, do I have to keep putting my mask up/on every time I place my drink back down on the table? That would be annoying.

My hope is that the mask wearing is for when we're travelling to and from the different venues, but essentially off after we've gotten to and settled in.

As the title says, I'd like to hear how these protocols are being handled by the cruisers who are just now being introduced to it.

[seemoreroyals]

Good luck keeping this thread from being erased.  On our cruise all NCL employees wore masks and most passengers did as well when it made sense.  In regards to having a drink at the bar,  we kept ours on between drinks unless there was no one within close proximity.   

[kfnesq]

I don't know if this is helpful at all, but our cruise in October was on Royal Caribbean, where masks are required.  It was on Oasis of the Seas, and was at about half capacity.  You could remove your masks when you sat at bars/restaurants, and essentially wore them traveling from place to place inside.  Outside they were not required, and in the casino they were not required since it was one of the only vaxxed-only areas (RCL is not 100% vaxxed so they had certain areas for vaxxed passengers only, when masks were not required).  

 

At any rate, we spent a lot of time in the outside venues and didn't really find the mask requirement too cumbersome.  However here in my county in MD we have had a mask requirement in place since the Summer, so we are used to it (unfortunately). 

[ArtInMotionPersians]

12 minutes ago, kfnesq said:

At any rate, we spent a lot of time in the outside venues 

 

#1 - I'd recommend moving this discussion to one of the FB groups - those aren't magically vanishing.  🤣

 

#2 - kfnesq - Were you able to find seating/space outside?  We've always preferred the outdoor venues but always have trouble finding available seating.  I was thinking along the line of your advice/experience, we can just be outside most the time, but if everyone has that idea, maybe it's not doable.  🤔

[debenson0723]

Masks were required on our Jade cruise in Greece last month.  Basically we wore them going from our cabins to the restaurant and bar.  Once we were seated, they came off until we got up to leave. With only 1026 passengers on board, it was not difficult to social distance.  Elevators were limited to 4 at a time and I had no problem waiting for the next one if 4 were already on board (but some people did with a 'one more won't hurt' comment).  Honestly, they were off more than on and it was no big deal.  My problem was remembering to take it with me once I left the cabin, even though I had it hanging on a hook right by the door...there were many times I would get to the elevator and have to turn around and go back but it just added to my step total for the day.

[kfnesq]

59 minutes ago, ArtInMotionPersians said:

 

#1 - I'd recommend moving this discussion to one of the FB groups - those aren't magically vanishing.  🤣

 

#2 - kfnesq - Were you able to find seating/space outside?  We've always preferred the outdoor venues but always have trouble finding available seating.  I was thinking along the line of your advice/experience, we can just be outside most the time, but if everyone has that idea, maybe it's not doable.  🤔

Since we were at about half capacity, we actually were able to find outside seating when we wanted to but full disclosure, we were not that pressed about it every day, either.  However, Oasis is a HUGE ship, also - so I am not sure if you wanted to eat outside all the time if that would have been challenging or not.  I can say that when we wanted to, we were able to, for whatever that's worth.

[BirdTravels]

NCL, who is only doing this for the cruises leaving this weekend, are “winging it” wrt policy.
 

RCL who have done this from the start, allows mask removal when seated actively eating or drinking. No “buy a drink and sit for an hour without a mask with out taking a sip”. And no “walky  sippy” through the halls. 
 

RCL has social distancing requirements on all locations, especially areas where masks could be removed.
 

And mask compliance by unvaccinated people was generally poor. 

[Langham1865]

FWIW, I was on the Breakaway December 5th sailing where passengers were required to wear masks.  No one with a drink in hand, whether walking or sitting was asked to put a mask on.  We were at less than 50% capacity and there always seemed to be plenty of outdoor seating.   A few times I sat outside of Syd Normans on the Waterfront when I wasn't drinking to listen to the music.  As the week went on, mask wearing seemed to get more lax.

[coastcat]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

NCL, who is only doing this for the cruises leaving this weekend, are “winging it” wrt policy.
 

RCL who have done this from the start, allows mask removal when seated actively eating or drinking. No “buy a drink and sit for an hour without a mask with out taking a sip”. And no “walky  sippy” through the halls. 
 

RCL has social distancing requirements on all locations, especially areas where masks could be removed.
 

And mask compliance by unvaccinated people was generally poor. 

RCI was kind of a mess. The social distancing requirements meant that in "everyone" areas where unvaccinated passengers were allowed, half of the seating was blocked off. Finding a table in the buffet, even with the ship sailing at under 60% capacity, was challenging. We were allowed to go mask-free in vax-only areas and outside but it wasn't always clear. I just kept my mask on since it was easier.

 

The new NCL protocol looks similar to how Princess has been sailing since the restart. No unvaccinated passengers allowed, period. We were required to wear masks indoors except when seated and actively eating/drinking. No masks outside. No blocked-off tables due to social distancing. Princess did cancel some activities that they considered riskier such as karaoke, though. It was perfectly fine as an experience as it wasn't too confusing (unlike RCI). It helped that Princess food was so darned good, and always available, that I spent a lot of time eating...

[kylenyc]

On Gem now. Masks required indoors except while eating or drinking except in your own cabin. No one seems upset about the masks. I see people leaving restaurants and immediately putting their masks on without a fuss or being asked.

Outdoors masks are not required if you can maintain social distance. If the sail away party for instance gets crowded I presume they will ask guests to wear their masks.

[numberguy]

I was on the Getaway on the Nov 24 sailing around Greece and Italy.  Masks were required and we didn't have a problem with them.  We each forgot once and got to the elevator and had to go back to our room (long walk!) to get it.

 

When we ordered drinks, we were often seated in the O'Sheehan's bar, overlooking the atrium.  There were only 1350 passengers, so there wasn't a problem with crowding at this location.  We would keep our masks on throughout the ordering process (to protect the staff) and didn't take them off until the drinks were delivered and the server had left.  At that point we left them off the entire time we were seated.

 

Same held for seating in restaurants--we'd keep the masks on until our order was completed, then took them off and left them off until the end of the meal.  Maybe not the most strict of guidelines, but we thought we were obeying the letter of the law.

 

I did see one staff member remind a person walking that his mask wasn't covering his nose, and he immediately pulled it up.

 

--Michael

 

PS it was rather too cold to sit outside at the bars in Spice H2O or other locations.  Occasionally, we sat outside near the Sunset Bar and had a drink, but even then, it became too chilly to stay for more than one drink.

Edited December 19, 2021 by numberguy
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[bkrickles1]

Thanks to those of you that attempted to answer my inquiry.

Hopefully we get more input when the cruisers that left this weekend return next weekend.

 

As I said in my opening post, I'm just trying to get an idea of how it works on an NCL ship with these new protocols that were implemented just days ago.

And while I know that the new policy stated sailings through December 19th, I can't imagine that it won't be continued for, at least, a little longer.

 

I'm sailing Joy in 27 days and, as a planner, I like to know everything to expect.

Thanks again.

[psac]

30 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

Thanks to those of you that attempted to answer my inquiry.

Hopefully we get more input when the cruisers that left this weekend return next weekend.

 

As I said in my opening post, I'm just trying to get an idea of how it works on an NCL ship with these new protocols that were implemented just days ago.

And while I know that the new policy stated sailings through December 19th, I can't imagine that it won't be continued for, at least, a little longer.

 

I'm sailing Joy in 27 days and, as a planner, I like to know everything to expect.

Thanks again.

I agree it will last until this current wave blows through and the numbers go back down. 27 days will be very iffy.    

[phillygwm]

I just got off the Bliss.  My understanding is that this was the last maskless cruise for a while.

 

That said, there were quite a number of people with masks.  Nowhere close to a majority, but you would always spot a few people if you scanned a room.

 

There were some comments about people's hair standing up whenever someone coughed.  But I've never been on a cruise where there weren't people coughing; doesn't mean it's covid.

 

I'll schedule a PCR mid-week so I can give my Christmas hosts some peace of mind but I didn't hear about any cases onboard (they're too polite to disinvite me) 🙂  There WAS a rumor going around that Carnival Panorama had to skip Cabo because they had some cases and weren't equipped to test everyone on short notice.

[Olyrachel]

I disembarked from Breakaway today, and my husband and I were some of the few people who wore masks fairly consistently. We always wore them while getting food from the buffet and on the elevators/other crowded areas (which were rare at less than 50% capacity), but most didn’t bother. We were told that masks were encouraged but optional when we boarded, since everyone had a negative test before boarding and had to be vaccinated to travel. All employees were masked at all times. Almost everyone had a mask with them just in case, and masks were required at all ports.

Edited December 20, 2021 by Olyrachel
Spelling error

[Reese15233]

The only time we really worried about masks on a Jade cruise last month was while interacting with others. Norwegian obviously has a vested interest in keeping their crew (and passengers) healthy. We would definitely put our masks up anytime we were speaking with staff, ordering etc. We also put them up when walking around indoors, if others were around but given the low capacity it wasn't always necessary.

We were boosted 2 weeks before the cruise and given the lack of social distancing on excursions, tenders etc. it was a comfort particularly as news of omicron broke. Even if the cruise lines weren't requiring them at this point I would mask for my own benefit. Unfortunately, I think they are just a part of our reality for the foreseeable future.

[seemoreroyals]

Looking back on our trip, we finished our cruise on the 12th and today is the 20th,  looks like despite the fact that we are both double vaxed and boosted there is a possibility that one or both of us has covid.  Wife and I are both going to get Covid test later today.  She either has Covid or a really severe cold.  At this point I have no symptoms but I am going to get tested anyway.

 

If one or both of us has covid,  the only three situations I can think of where we may have most likely been exposed were as follows: 1) getting on ship.  We were packed in the embarkation area for over 6 hours due to CDC's order to delay boarding Breakaway.  2)We did an excursion at Roatan on third day of cruise.  On this excursion we were in an enclosed bus for about 45 minutes each way with poor ac and ventilation.  Tour operator was talking without her mask the entire time  both ways. 3) getting off ship.  We waited in line a little over thirty minutes to self debark ship.  

 

The point is despite everything you do to self quarantine ahead of time, get your shots, wear masks when appropriate, there are situations that leave you vulnerable because social distancing is impossible. Hope my post does not get deleted and that this experience will in some way help others.  Wish us luck.  

[ricksurf]

No Worries. We were on for an entire month and it didn't bother us at all.  I think that after living with masks for the last 2 years, then it seemed quite normal.  When seated in a restaurant or bar then just remove the mask and enjoy.  Outside on the deck, then you can remove the mask.  Since, the traveling passengers were all vaccinated people and supportive of Covid precautions, then you didn't hear the complaining that you hear at home. If all these precautions help to keep us cruising, then we continue to be part of the choir.

[20165]

we are on joy now and they arent overly strict about the masks except at the buffet and a couple other food venues. i would say compliance is about 50/50.  One of the officers stopped me and asked what i thought about the mask policy and i said i wasnt overly excited.  One of the main reasons i picks NCL was because of no masks. 

Ill write more detail when we return, but overall its not the end of the world, but kinda a pain keeping track of the mask especially when we are taking it on and off to eat and drink.  have gone back to cabin many times to get another.  we get off the ship today in Belize so we'll see how they are on shore.  

I will say im not sure the masks do a whole lot of good. Doesnt make a lot of sense to wear a mask then go to the VR arcade and put on a headset that has been worn buy others all day long. And no, i saw no one wiping them down. Pool was also pretty packed too yesterday which i was surprised.  I know they arent to capacity, but they are well above 50%.  Probably more like 80+.  We have the haven thank god so we have been spending most of our time there.  Thats not crowded at all.

 

[bkrickles1]

Thanks so much for your live input and I look forward to any other information you provide. 

 

I'm a little surprised that you think the ship is at around 80% capacity. 

I thought for sure it wouldn't be above 60%.

Anyway, have a great cruise! 

[20165]

1 minute ago, bkrickles1 said:

Thanks so much for your live input and I look forward to any other information you provide. 

 

I'm a little surprised that you think the ship is at around 80% capacity. 

I thought for sure it wouldn't be above 60%.

Anyway, have a great cruise! 

that may just be my perception and it does feel less crowded, but not a whole lot less.  Pool was packed, theater was packed last night, common areas didnt feel a whole lot less crowded.  I actually took a pic of the pool area yesterday that i will post then i get back to you can get an idea of how crowded that was.  

[phillygwm]

On 12/19/2021 at 9:01 AM, bkrickles1 said:

if I sit at a small table in the Mojito Bar to listen to music and have a drink, can I remove my mask as soon as I sit (like in a restaurant) and keep it off until I get up? Or, do I have to keep putting my mask up/on every time I place my drink back down on the table? That would be annoying.

 

It's a new process so not sure anyone has the answer yet.

 

Personally, even in the pre-mask era (last week) I had an alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink in front of me at all times.  From a practical standpoint, I don't want to get too loaded but now I can drink maskless more or less continuously 🙂

[CruiseMH]

On 12/19/2021 at 3:01 PM, bkrickles1 said:

For example, if I sit at a small table in the Mojito Bar to listen to music and have a drink, can I remove my mask as soon as I sit (like in a restaurant) and keep it off until I get up? Or, do I have to keep putting my mask up/on every time I place my drink back down on the table? That would be annoying.

 

 

I can only speak for MSC and two german based cruise lines (AIDA and TUI) and all of them did not require masks during the entire time of seating.

So you only needed to wear a mask when walking around the ship(inside) or when standing in line e.g. at the pool bar or the buffet.

I made three cruises during the pandemic and the net wearing time of the mask was approx. 30-60 minutes per day.

 

I don`t know how NCL handles it at the theater.

I made different experiences in the past on other cruise lines. Sometimes i had to wear them during the show, sometimes not.

 

 

[icedearth15324]

15 hours ago, Olyrachel said:

I disembarked from Breakaway today, and my husband and I were some of the few people who wore masks fairly consistently. We always wore them while getting food from the buffet and on the elevators/other crowded areas (which were rare at less than 50% capacity), but most didn’t bother. We were told that masks were encouraged but optional when we boarded, since everyone had a negative test before boarding and had to be vaccinated to travel. All employees were masked at all times. Almost everyone had a mask with them just in case, and masks were required at all ports.

My wife and I were on the same boat, and we did the same. At the buffet or in elevators we (almost) always wore our masks.

[icedearth15324]

5 hours ago, 20165 said:

that may just be my perception and it does feel less crowded, but not a whole lot less.  Pool was packed, theater was packed last night, common areas didnt feel a whole lot less crowded.  I actually took a pic of the pool area yesterday that i will post then i get back to you can get an idea of how crowded that was.  

 

On the Norwegian Breakaway that I got off yesterday, we were told the ship was at 40% capacity. It definitely was not packed at all. Not sure what boat you were on though.