Back from the Carnival Sunrise...

[hurricane0226]

2 hours ago, Colorado Cruzer said:

Where did your cruise leave from?

Employees are sometimes scared to police the mask policy due to violence, especially when alcohol is involved.  It's not an excuse, it's just something I have seen personally working in the restuarant business during the pandemic.  I'm not getting punched or stabbed because of someone's stupid mask being under their nose, ask them about it once and let it go.  I think that is what is happening on the cruises too.  It's just like the airlines saying they are cleaning more and sanitizing in between flights.  Every time I sit down, for the last 25 years or so, I clean the area with a wipe and the same amount of funk and black fingerprint smudges come off now as in the last 2 decades - there is no company following the rules they type up and post online so they can stay in business according the the CDC and Health Department rules.

 

Seems they just go through the motions. 

[Virga]

Oddly, Sunrise (in September) was the only ship where I experienced what I considered to be excessive enforcement.  More than once, I had a casino staff member approach and offer me a mask when I had my ecig actually in my mouth.  I was initially pretty frustrated by this, but my husband reminded me that it must be the worst job in the whole ship, so I got in the habit of exhaling my 'smoke' and pointing at my mask on my wrist, promising to put it on as soon as I'd topped off my nicotine level.  She eventually stopped approaching me, or perhaps was allowed to resume other duties after they regained their green status.

 

When we sailed, we saw consistently good mask wear by staff, inside and out.  As for passengers, we thought folks were pretty good about it indoors when not seated - aside from the night with the conga line, which I hope has been nixed since.  We did not feel that mask wear when seated in the bar areas was a reasonable expectation, so no judgement there.  We didn't attempt to join the masses in shows, so I can't speak for those areas at all.  We both tested negative several times after each cruise this fall, but I'm not convinced that would be the case even with the same conditions with this variant.  If they've decided it's just not possible to maintain the level of enforcement we saw... Well, I'm glad we don't have any cruises lined up for the near future.  

Edited December 26, 2021 by Virga

[Duanerice1]

Thanks for the info.  Makes me more excited to go on our Jan 15 cruise.  When the ship is full of vaccinated passengers masks should not be required.  I know, they are going through the motions to make people feel good. 
 

So what if people get Covid?  Number of cases doesn’t matter at all and they should stop reporting that number.  Hospitalizations are the only numbers that matter. 
 

As for following rules…. If they enforce I will, if not well then it’s really not a rule but a suggestion. 

[jimbo5544]

3 hours ago, BasicSailor said:

Well, I'm not going to question your post. I type worse than you after a Christmas party, just saying 😄 

LOL, phone thimb texting…..and maybe a cocktail or two.

[Guest BasicSailor]

15 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

LOL, phone thimb texting…..and maybe a cocktail or two.

Well, that had to be one heck of a party 🤪 Merry Christmas!

[aumdsj]

12 hours ago, kwcruise said:

After a long time of being locked up at home, and dealing with the issues around the pandemic that we all have been, I made the decision to take a five day cruise from December 18-23. I was cautious, yet reassured because of the policies that were in place by Carnival and the government on both sides. I did not resent at all, the confusion around the testing as I wanted to stay safe.

 

I was in the first group to board, having a 10 a.m. boarding call. We were in the lounge area for about an hour, a place in which masking was meant to be taking place. My friend and I observed many passengers either not wearing their masks, and several Carnival staff with their masks below their noses - one was a photographer who was waiting for the boarding to begin....you know, the person that stands there and starts off your vacation with a welcome pic?!  We started to feel a little concerned about our decision.

 

Upon boarding, we noted that many passengers were masked, but just as many inside the ship were not (I'm referring to people without food/drinks) or wore their masks below their noses. This issue increased, rather than descreased as the cruise went on. Thankfully, we had a balcony, so made the decision to get our food and bring it back to our cabin to eat throughout the majority of our cruise. (We ate in the dining room one night, and it was very crowded, and then on the lido deck on two occasions.) 

 

Some more observations/experiences:

 

1. I like to play blackjack and the casino was pretty empty compared to other trips I've taken. However, the dealers were NOT enforcing the masking policies at all. Hating to be "that" person, I made a complaint to the pit boss on duty the first night. She asked them to raise their masks, and mentioned to the son that he was not drinking so there was no need to have his mask down at all. The young man was rude and beligerant to her, and she told him that she would have him removed if the behaviour continued and walked away. She returned twice and asked him to mask properly on both occasions, to which on the last occasion the young man told her that people looked stupid with masks on and she just walked away. Both men then lowered their masks. I left.

 

2. The next night the same two men were again playing with masks down, and I spoke to the dealer who did nothing, so then went to speak to the pit boss (a man this time), who did nothing. In fact, he told me that the dealers were probably new and didn't know the rules. What?? I left.

 

3. My friend wanted to see a comedy show, and we went to the beginning of a PG show, and simply put, it was a sea of masks below noses...kids and adults. Trust me that drinks were not in front of most.

 

I'm sharing this information because when I returned I emailed my premier cruise director who informed me that things would probably change soon. I then attempted to connect with Carnival directly, but have had no luck.

 

In the end I tested negative, but was incredibly cautious during my trip, but wish I had not taken this cruise at this time. The staff was not concerned, and seemed nervous to approach drunk passengers about covid policies. 

 

I have never written a post to complain, but feel this information is important to share.

That’s so concerning! If masks are required, please enforce them! 

[aumdsj]

11 hours ago, kwcruise said:

Just to be clear. I am not/was not frustrated with the people not following the rules. I am however, concerned with a large corporation spinning a story that they are enforcing covid rules, while the reality is that the rules were not enforced. 🙂

Exactly! That’s the main reason I booked with Carnival; they bragged that it was a vaccinated and masked cruise. 

[aumdsj]

11 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

I understand your frustration with "lack of mask compliance"....but....honestly....if this upsets anyone, one should wait until "the pandemic ends" (which may be never).  You'll never have a large group where everyone is doing everything one is supposed to do.

 

Glad you posted....so people see "know before they go".

Better yet, if people can’t follow the masking rules, don’t cruise till that rule has been lifted. 

[coldinerie]

I found the same experience on my Dec 13-18 cruise on the Sunrise as well.  Carnival did not enforce masks, distancing or any other covid policies.  Don't make the rules if you don't want to enforce. 

 

I told folks to pull up their masks on the elevators, I placed towels on the surrounding sun chairs to keep people from being near me. I asked for corner tables to be socially distanced. I wore my mask all the times I was out of the cabin. I sanitized my hands and sometimes tables (on the lido deck) prior to eating.  I realized early on Carnival was not going to save my ass until they got near having to shut the cruise industry down again.  Carnival only cares about their bottom line, not my health.   I took care of my own health, and to hell with those who don't care for mine.

 

We btw, had a blast.

 

BTW, was on a Disney cruise one month prior, and they gave a darn about our health, the exact opposite of Carnival, so it can be done. 

 

Edited December 26, 2021 by coldinerie

[MsTabbyKats]

9 hours ago, aumdsj said:

Better yet, if people can’t follow the masking rules, don’t cruise till that rule has been lifted. 

Even better yet....if people are so nervous about "catching it" they should stay home until "it" is gone. 

 

It's illogical that you can "demask" to eat and drink and I assume converse with others.....and remain "safe".   However, you'll spread your germs if sittlng quietly in a theatre!

[Crismess669]

Thanks for the intel. I’m on Sunrise in five weeks and it sounds like a sh!!show. I suspect most of those people onboard were Floridians because very few people here are masking up anymore. I’m very happy we got a balcony so we can just eat and drink out there. Yes, I’m vaxxed. I also haven’t had so much as a cold for two years and I’ve enjoyed it. 
 

How full was the ship?

[kwcruise]

23 hours ago, Duanerice1 said:

 

So what if people get Covid?

I was a healthy, athletic person. I care about people getting covid because the result of having it for me resulted in permanent kidney damage. It will matter to people when it impacts their lives or someone they love.

[kwcruise]

7 hours ago, Crismess669 said:

Thanks for the intel. I’m on Sunrise in five weeks and it sounds like a sh!!show. I suspect most of those people onboard were Floridians because very few people here are masking up anymore. I’m very happy we got a balcony so we can just eat and drink out there. Yes, I’m vaxxed. I also haven’t had so much as a cold for two years and I’ve enjoyed it. 
 

How full was the ship?

Carnival is not being transparent about the numbers on the ship. Can't answer that.

[DD fun]

Our Magic cruise Dec 4 had 3100 guest according to a couple of ship officers we ate lunch beside. 

[Crismess669]

 

12 hours ago, DD fun said:

Our Magic cruise Dec 4 had 3100 guest according to a couple of ship officers we ate lunch beside. 

I think I made the wrong decision going with Carnival 🤦🏼‍♀️

[80sGal]

Do you know which terminal the Sunrise will be located?  I know Horizon is Terminal D but can't find the Sunrise info.  Thanks!  

[misand]

On 12/25/2021 at 2:44 PM, kwcruise said:

You're probably correct. I am sharing because I think people have the right to be informed. This is not about passing judgement.

We also got off that same cruise.  I was very shocked at the difference between our MSC cruise just 3 weeks before and this one.  MSC was very concerned with covid.  Wrist trackers to  monitor if you were around someone who ended up with covid if needed.  Really monitoring ppl to make sure social distancing and masking.  Our ship that holds 5500 only had 900. Hand washing stations everywhere, temp checks at breakfast.  I felt completely safe.  On the Sunrise we were elbow to elbow trying to get food.  Ship was at 2700 is what the staff told me.  It felt maxed out to me.  Lines everywhere!  I would be curious if their were covid cases on this ship considering we were all so close together.

[kwcruise]

1 hour ago, misand said:

We also got off that same cruise.  I was very shocked at the difference between our MSC cruise just 3 weeks before and this one.  MSC was very concerned with covid.  Wrist trackers to  monitor if you were around someone who ended up with covid if needed.  Really monitoring ppl to make sure social distancing and masking.  Our ship that holds 5500 only had 900. Hand washing stations everywhere, temp checks at breakfast.  I felt completely safe.  On the Sunrise we were elbow to elbow trying to get food.  Ship was at 2700 is what the staff told me.  It felt maxed out to me.  Lines everywhere!  I would be curious if their were covid cases on this ship considering we were all so close together.

My understanding is that there were covid cases, but this is something I heard from people I ran into at the airport, and not based on firsthand knowledge. 

[Top_of_the_Cube]

Until the omicron mutation, seemed that vaccinations worked very well, with few breakthroughs and limited symptoms, if any.  This is just a statement of the stats, I don't want to minimize those who have been affected, whether vacc'd or unvacc'd.  As with many of you, I have close friends and relatives who have suffered, and some not making it.

 

With that, I felt very safe on my October fully-vacc'd cruise with very little enforcement of the protocols.  I was okay with following the rules, but didn't feel threatened by those who, a, didn't.

 

The new variant, omicron, seems to be a different animal.  And from many current reports here on the Boards, Carnival is responding by clamping down and adding additional protocols.  I don't think this will last long, as omicron appears to move quickly through the population.  The locations where apparently omicron first reared its ugly face beginning in November, are reporting fewer and fewer cases.  Before you know it, the crew will be back to minimal enforcement at which time I might book another cruise.

 

Will there be other variants?  Almost a given.  But many virologists predict COVID will follow the normal path to mutations that are less threatening, and be regarded more like getting the flu or norovirus.  Will that happen?  No one knows, and there is always the "next big thing" around the corner, but I will take precautions while continuing to live my best life.  And you can live yours.

[goofy2010]

We just got off the Sunrise (Christmas cruise) and compliance was pretty good from what I noticed.  I think we were one of the first cruises where it was required to wear a mask while indoors.  Everyone we saw in the hallways had a mask on unless crossing the hallway to go to a family members room.  They had people at the doors of the Lido area to hand out masks as needed. 

 

The shows in the Limelight lounge had really good compliance as well.  People would do the Sip and Cover during the comedy/magic shows that we saw.

 

The Liquid Lounge had good compliance too.  There might be one or two people that we would notice that would stretch getting a drink, but they were few and far between. 

 

While they need to turn the temperature down in some of the common areas when you have to wear a mask, overall it wasn't too bad and people were doing what they were supposed to.

[llarsen]

On 12/25/2021 at 12:42 PM, BasicSailor said:

I noted the same as you on our cruises. Even more so the lack of security enforcing people to mask up.

I also noted tons of things that Carnival could indeed improve on especially now. Gloves are needed at the buffet or as others have noted have the staff place the food in your plate while wearing gloves. I realize staff is in short supply as this virus spreads. But in that case perhaps cancel the cruise instead of forcing more hours on the healthy staff.

 

Let me also say, I have cleaned many tables while the staff was just standing around doing nothing pre- covid. So I have no problem standing in a food line serving food for free if accepted or needed.

I still don't understand why Carnival allows passengers to serve themselves. It seems that it would save the company money on wasted food (passengers overloading their plates) and certainly cut down on the spread of any virus (including Norovirus). Other cruise lines we sail serve their passengers, so the only person touching the handle is the crew member. I've seen people (on the other lines) sanitize their hands before walking into the buffet and then cover their sneeze or cough with those same hands before walking up to the buffet. Luckily, they were not the ones touching the serving utensils. 

[WIChick27]

Does anyone have recent menus from Sunrise that they can share? 

[nascartim]

I'm sure it's no surprise to most people that Florida has a more laid back attitude towards mask wearing compared to other states, mainly the northern ones. So, I'd guess that there are probably more Floridians on the ships leaving out of the Florida ports. On that note, if you are from one of those stricter states, you should probably think twice if you do cruise out of Florida and maybe not be so shocked at the lack of adherence. I am from Florida so I totally understand the hesitation of wearing masks, but if they require me to wear one I will. I have a cruise coming up at the end of January. I am not naive enough to think everyone will be 100% compliant. 

Edited December 30, 2021 by nascartim

[kwcruise]

18 minutes ago, nascartim said:

I'm sure it's no surprise to most people that Florida has a more laid back attitude towards mask wearing compared to other states, mainly the northern ones. So, I'd guess that there are probably more Floridians on the ships leaving out of the Florida ports. On that note, if you are from one of those stricter states, you should probably think twice if you do cruise out of Florida and maybe not be so shocked at the lack of adherence. I am from Florida so I totally understand the hesitation of wearing masks, but if they require me to wear one I will. I have a cruise coming up at the end of January. I am not naive enough to think everyone will be 100% compliant. 

 

Yes. I think that's a good attitude to have going into your holiday, and I think you are right. 

Edited December 30, 2021 by kwcruise