On Reflection Now - Masks are Required Indoors

[cangelmd]

23 minutes ago, Host Anne said:

 

There was no announcement.  We were handed a sheet of paper with the information.  I bet some didn't even bother to read it.  I think we would have definitely had a few in our group cancel had we been told.  We'll make the best of it.  

Have a great cruise anyway! Please post about enforcement as the week wears on. Masking if it is consistent and enforced will certainly help, but there will still be cases, Omicron is too contagious and a few infected persons were likely missed by testing. Question is how much will masks help in this environment. We sail Jan 24, so fingers crossed.

[as3369]

Even the ships that have mask mandates & 100% vaccinated have Covid passengers.  I plan on sailing anyhoo but am a little disappointed with masks.  We live in Tennessee so haven't had to wear masks here for sometime.  I'm always respectful for others though and if I go into a private establishment with employees wearing a mask, I do the same.

[Virginia100]

7 minutes ago, Livesteamer said:

Masking is a "show-stopper" for my wife and me.  We are set for Millenium in late February so we will be watching very closely until decision time around February 10.  Masking is a totally wasted effort--the reports in the left-leaning press is that nothing less else than a N-95 is a waste of time.  We are from Missouri, and we have almost no requirements to mask up.  In addition, I do not   patronize businesses that require me to wear a mask.  The irrational hysteria over masking, testing and omicron is just plain crazy.

The mask policy is probably here to stay until April or so (end of Caribbean season). Not here in Virginia where needed only in medical offices.

[Stockjock]

As I just posted on a separate thread, we are currently mask free on the Summit. We have 0.3% of the passengers who have Covid, all with mild cold or flu like symptoms across-the-board. These passengers are said to be in quarantine.

 

I believe we have approximately 1175 passengers aboard, so if my math is correct, that means we have roughly three people with Covid. As of a day or two ago we had one person aboard  with Covid.

Edited January 2, 2022 by Stockjock

[DCPIV]

I'm not surprised that masking is back on with Celebrity.  We're on Reflection in about a month, and we won't cancel is masking still is in effect.

We got off a 15-night cruise a couple weeks ago, and masking was required indoors unless eating or drinking, and it was no big deal at all.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

I do agree that passengers booked should have been alerted to the change ASAP, as many chose Celebrity because of the lack of a masking requirement.

[upwarduk]

3 hours ago, chemmo said:

We had to wear masks indoors (when not eating or drinking) on Silhouette in September, it really was not an issue. We did feel very safe with the mask rules.

In fact, Silhouette even provided masks and sanitizer .

They were in the cabin when we embarked.

You can see them n the top left hand corner of the attached picture.

 

[phoenix_dream]

1 hour ago, Virginia100 said:

But why the “quiet” announcement while boarding and not a regular corporate announcement a week in advance. I’m sure some were surprised at embarkation snd would have canceled under CWC outside the 48 hours,

I would guess that a week ago they hadn't made that decision,  but as Omicron is surging and onboard case numbers are rising, they had to change their policy on the fly.  I am not thrilled with having to wear a mask, but that's just me.  But I just don't understand how people can expect these huge companies, dealing with tens of thousands of cancellations and rebookings and Covid changes, to somehow have a crystal ball so they can "warn" people that far ahead of time.  Covid is changing things literally by the hour, if not by the minute.  Anyone sailing now needs to accept the fact that Covid changes will happen.  Mask policies may change.  Ports may be cancelled.  Ports may be replaced.  We are all experiencing so much stress trying to decide whether to cruise or not.  Take that amount of stress and multiply it tenfold (or more) and that is the amount of stress the cruise lines are dealing with.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We'll be on the Reflection 2/26. Hopefully by then we'll be well past the peak of this steep spike.

 

We've sailed three times since restart - and had varying requirements of masks and (widely varying adherence by the masses).

 

Yep - masks, at this point especially with Omicron, are more of a "feel good" sign that the cruise line is "doing all they can". Lots of things are for show. On our Christmas Royal Caribbean sailing, I was more than amused in the casino... playing blackjack, every time that they'd change dealers they'd go through this process: They would place the cover on the chips, and wipe the cover down. They would do a quick wipe of the CSM, and then back to business.  I was like... WOW... what's the point? You're about to hand chips back and forth numerous times. Why aren't we "disinfecting" the chips each time? Like I said, most of these things are for show.

 

Tom

[phoenix_dream]

1 minute ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

We'll be on the Reflection 2/26. Hopefully by then we'll be well past the peak of this steep spike.

 

We've sailed three times since restart - and had varying requirements of masks and (widely varying adherence by the masses).

 

Yep - masks, at this point especially with Omicron, are more of a "feel good" sign that the cruise line is "doing all they can". Lots of things are for show. On our Christmas Royal Caribbean sailing, I was more than amused in the casino... playing blackjack, every time that they'd change dealers they'd go through this process: They would place the cover on the chips, and wipe the cover down. They would do a quick wipe of the CSM, and then back to business.  I was like... WOW... what's the point? You're about to hand chips back and forth numerous times. Why aren't we "disinfecting" the chips each time? Like I said, most of these things are for show.

 

Tom

I respectfully disagree.  I don't think these things are for show.  I think they are doing what they can; when they can.  The protocols are not perfect and certainly will not prevent all transmission.  But IMHO it's a case of every little bit helps.  If they only prevent a few cases by putting in these measures it could literally mean the difference between cancelling a port, or moving on the CDC list from yellow to green or whatever the colors are.

[Stockjock]

18 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

In fact, Silhouette even provided masks and sanitizer .

They were in the cabin when we embarked.

You can see them n the top left hand corner of the attached picture.

 

On Summit we also received masks and hand sanitizer. But as mentioned above, masks are not currently required.

Edited January 2, 2022 by Stockjock

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

18 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I respectfully disagree.  I don't think these things are for show.  I think they are doing what they can; when they can.  The protocols are not perfect and certainly will not prevent all transmission.  But IMHO it's a case of every little bit helps.  If they only prevent a few cases by putting in these measures it could literally mean the difference between cancelling a port, or moving on the CDC list from yellow to green or whatever the colors are.

 

FWIW - Cheryl and I are ardent mask wearers, vaccinated in January of '20, infected in July, boosted in October. Especially with the current variant - we might as well be wearing a bandana. I understand, and agree with, the mask mandate. Some of the other things are less effective, and more for show.

 

At the gym I go to - I am, almost without exception, the only one wearing a mask. They have signage to wipe things down before and after use, but nothing about masks. Even during the brief period when they "recommended" them (this, after all, is Florida), only a small percentage paid any attention to that.... oh well...

 

Tom

[5:00_Somewhere]

26 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I respectfully disagree.  I don't think these things are for show.  I think they are doing what they can; when they can.  The protocols are not perfect and certainly will not prevent all transmission.  But IMHO it's a case of every little bit helps.  If they only prevent a few cases by putting in these measures it could literally mean the difference between cancelling a port, or moving on the CDC list from yellow to green or whatever the colors are.

 

I agree with phoenix_dream.  We have a cruise booked on the Reflection in March and, while I know I'm in the minority, I'm actually happy to hear about the added mask policy. We were just on the Sky Princess for 2 weeks in December, and they require masks indoors except when eating or actively drinking. We did not find it to be all that big a deal but, similar to what others have said, this is consistent with legal requirements here in Boston, so it's really nothing different. We're actually watching the masking policy as our final payment date approaches to help us determine whether to cancel or not. I hope everyone is able to make the best of their cruise experience in this "new normal" (I hate that phrase). 😉

[Arizona Wildcat]

42 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

We'll be on the Reflection 2/26. Hopefully by then we'll be well past the peak of this steep spike.

 

We've sailed three times since restart - and had varying requirements of masks and (widely varying adherence by the masses).

 

Yep - masks, at this point especially with Omicron, are more of a "feel good" sign that the cruise line is "doing all they can". Lots of things are for show. On our Christmas Royal Caribbean sailing, I was more than amused in the casino... playing blackjack, every time that they'd change dealers they'd go through this process: They would place the cover on the chips, and wipe the cover down. They would do a quick wipe of the CSM, and then back to business.  I was like... WOW... what's the point? You're about to hand chips back and forth numerous times. Why aren't we "disinfecting" the chips each time? Like I said, most of these things are for show.

 

Tom

Hope you are correct and numbers start dropping soon.  In Arizona where masking is done by many, maybe most, businesses are cutting back because so many people are sick.  Good friend who was isolated- groceries sent in etc. - visited a neighbor who tested positive two days later.  Now both are ill.  78 year old nearby has been dealing with long haul effects.  6 weeks and no energy.

PS all were vaccinated. 

[deliver42]

I won't let a mask keep me from enjoying my cruise.

 

[Fly and Sail]

4 hours ago, Smmessineo said:

Same thing on the Edge. Boarded today, got the letter while on line. Not much impact for us since so much time is spent outside. Most people are distancing indoors and out, but Sunset bar is  shoulder to shoulder. Definitely not a very full ship, though 

 

I'm on Edge too. Didn't see this thread earlier. When were you informed about this? Because I'm doing a B2B and never received a word or letter until like an hour ago.

 

This is already driving me nuts. Had I known about this at boarding I'd simply have gone home.

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

I respectfully disagree.  I don't think these things are for show.  I think they are doing what they can; when they can.  The protocols are not perfect and certainly will not prevent all transmission.  But IMHO it's a case of every little bit helps.  If they only prevent a few cases by putting in these measures it could literally mean the difference between cancelling a port, or moving on the CDC list from yellow to green or whatever the colors are.

I have to agree. If nothing else, I haven’t got bronchitis, the flu or any other sickness for two years now. Wearing a mask in places where we can’t otherwise social distance for fear of catching C19 has been great!

[Oxo]

7 hours ago, chemmo said:

We had to wear masks indoors (when not eating or drinking) on Silhouette in September, it really was not an issue. We did feel very safe with the mask rules.

We were on the Edge Sept 4 - 11, 2021 and never had to wear a mask or social distance. So, it must be or have a ship by ship decision.

[PTCruizer]

7 hours ago, Corgi Girl said:

We just boarded and received a letter stating that on the prior cruise there more than1% tested positive for COVID-19.  Affected crew and guests were removed from the ship.  This cruise all are required to wear masks indoors.

 

Still planning to have a great trip!

Just off the Reflection. Captain only mentioned a total of 5 positive cases during the cruise. Not sure how there would have been greater than 1% and we would not have been told. Please share a scan of the letter you received. 

[DaKahuna]

10 minutes ago, PTCruizer said:

Just off the Reflection. Captain only mentioned a total of 5 positive cases during the cruise. Not sure how there would have been greater than 1% and we would not have been told. Please share a scan of the letter you received. 

IIRC they only made public cases involving passengers.  They did not talk about any crew members who were quarantined.  Trying to remember if I heard that from someone on board or read it here. 

 

Then again, it sounds like the decision to go with mask on board Celebrity ships was company wide versus ship by ship, which may be why people on B2B's did not find out until onboard for the second cruise.  

[Virginia100]

15 minutes ago, PTCruizer said:

Just off the Reflection. Captain only mentioned a total of 5 positive cases during the cruise. Not sure how there would have been greater than 1% and we would not have been told. Please share a scan of the letter you received. 

Corporations have the habit of limiting bad news publicly. Full disclosure of cases is only required to the CDC and port authorities. 

[Fly and Sail]

52 minutes ago, PTCruizer said:

Just off the Reflection. Captain only mentioned a total of 5 positive cases during the cruise. Not sure how there would have been greater than 1% and we would not have been told. Please share a scan of the letter you received. 

 

I scanned and posted it in the other thread I opened in case you're interested in the wording of the Edge one.

[upwarduk]

5 hours ago, Oxo said:

We were on the Edge Sept 4 - 11, 2021 and never had to wear a mask or social distance. So, it must be or have a ship by ship decision.

The difference is that Silhouette was sailing out of UK in the summer months.

Edited January 3, 2022 by upwarduk

[dkny330]

Just got off the Reflection and I think I remember hearing about 15+ passenger cases or so announced from a total of 1700 people on board; that's what we know though and I'm sure there were many more and does not include crew which we know there were many who either were positive or quarantined.

 

Our cruise director changed in the middle of the cruise, servers and hosts suddenly were not around, entertainers and DJ's were flown in at different ports to replace those who could not be with the masses. There was no production show as the dancers and entertainers were all isolated or quarantined from the week before. We have to remember that wearing a mask is not only about us, but those around us too. 

 

With all that said, it was a great cruise. As someone who got lax by Day 3 about wearing a mask inside on the ship, I wish Celebrity had this "mandate" during our week as we could have protected, not only ourselves, but the crew and all those that work 24/7 to make sure we have a good time. By Day 6 and after the CDC announcement and not seeing crew members we were used to seeing, we got back to wearing our masks inside. It's not something I "prefer" or like, but we still got our drinks, food, most ports. ridiculously beautiful weather and more. It's a small price to pay and did not impact the experience; it was just different. Can't wait to go back end of March and if we have to wear a mask inside, we will.   

[FlorenceItaly]

10 hours ago, Oxo said:

We were on the Edge Sept 4 - 11, 2021 and never had to wear a mask or social distance. So, it must be or have a ship by ship decision.

In COVID terms September was a lifetime ago.

[Macadian]

Prospect of being quarantined in an inside cabin for X number of days, paying thousands of dollars for the privilege, puts me off cruising at the moment, more than catching COVID on board.