Is SIP and COVER the rule for Princess?

[Steelers36]

11 minutes ago, jwattle said:

So you're not booked yet? If you're booked, you've accepted the contract.😷🤭🥂

I'd say "conditionally accepted" when booked.  Up to point of presenting oneself at the port - as one could always cancel out of the voyage and thereby refuse the contract.  That said, Princess always puts it in your face to accept the first time you access a new booking. 

Edited January 24, 2022 by Steelers36

[Torfamm]

51 minutes ago, geoherb said:

 

How? Was it just a reminder to people who did not do it? Tasers? Something else?

I saw a casino manager call for a technician to get identifying info from the slot machine that had just been used by a passenger who refused to sip and cover. Not sure what action was taken but never saw him again 

The website says -

Anyone who doesn’t comply with the onboard public health measures may be disembarked at the first available opportunity. Other consequences could include being denied service, required stateroom isolation and being banned from sailing in the future.

If you are non-compliant, no refund of the cruise fare for unused cruise days or travel expenses (if flying home) will be covered.

If your travel party is impacted and/or they are required or voluntarily choose to leave with you, the same policies will apply to them: there will be no refund of cruise fare for unused cruise days or coverage of travel expenses home.

Edited January 24, 2022 by Torfamm

[alanstarr]

Sip and Cover is definitely the rule on Emerald this week (10-day Panama Canal). Signs at all venues, reminders on the daily platter, and I've heard it said from the stage in some of the small venues (like during trivia and things). Haven't seen any actual enforcement, but to be honest most people seem to be complying without any issues; its rare to see someone without a mask, other than outside or at a dining table. 

 

[GonzoWCS]

Yes

[topspot]

Got off the Regal on 1/22.  Though signs were posted for sip and cover, there were people in trivia, not sipping and not covering.  People sitting at near princess live playing cards, not sipping, not covered and no one said a word to them.

[MissP22]

5 minutes ago, topspot said:

Got off the Regal on 1/22.  Though signs were posted for sip and cover, there were people in trivia, not sipping and not covering.  People sitting at near princess live playing cards, not sipping, not covered and no one said a word to them.

I sure it's like that on most ships.  As long as no one was nearby, there's no problem. 

After all, people sit with strangers in the DR or buffet a few time a day without any masks laughing & having conversations for 2 hours at a time. 

[RNRcruisers]

1 hour ago, topspot said:

Got off the Regal on 1/22.  Though signs were posted for sip and cover, there were people in trivia, not sipping and not covering.  People sitting at near princess live playing cards, not sipping, not covered and no one said a word to them.

 

We were on the same cruise. It seemed to me that most were complying at trivia and in the theater I only saw one couple blatantly not wearing masks. 

[RNRcruisers]

14 hours ago, wowzz said:

Sip and Cover is virtually impossible to police, and makes no sense. 

We were on Sky in October,  and S&C was ignored. 

 

I feel like it makes sense in the areas where it is hard to keep distance, like the theater. I don't want to have someone unmasked breathing over my shoulder. 

[NthernLgts]

19 hours ago, IJustWantToGo36 said:

Is SIP and COVER the rule for Princess?

 

I am being told that on the ship there signs that do not change from sailing to sailing mandating SIP and COVER

The latest January 20, 2022 update on the website does not mention this.

 

My question is:   Is SIP and COVER the rule for Princess or the exception?

We were on the Sky a month ago.  Cant really say I saw any signs specifically on sip and cover.  Yes it was the rule but enforcement was hit or miss, and we saw both. 

[NthernLgts]

8 minutes ago, RNRcruisers said:

 

I feel like it makes sense in the areas where it is hard to keep distance, like the theater. I don't want to have someone unmasked breathing over my shoulder. 

Right now the sailings are so limited on passengers that crowding in the theater really isnt a thing, but it was an area that the mask requirement was clearly posted.  There was even an announcement in the Princess Theater to that effect.  Attendance for the show we attended was so sparse you almost felt bad for the performer, and the comic show was quite good.

[RNRcruisers]

7 minutes ago, NthernLgts said:

Right now the sailings are so limited on passengers that crowding in the theater really isnt a thing, but it was an area that the mask requirement was clearly posted.  There was even an announcement in the Princess Theater to that effect.  Attendance for the show we attended was so sparse you almost felt bad for the performer, and the comic show was quite good.

 

We only went to two shows but they were both quite full.

 

[fpsphil]

Just got off the Majestic. Was not enforced but there were only 940 of us so never was crowded in main theater. Captain Circle party masking was almost non existent and that was the most crowded event the entire cruise.

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, NthernLgts said:

Right now the sailings are so limited on passengers that crowding in the theater really isnt a thing, but it was an area that the mask requirement was clearly posted.  There was even an announcement in the Princess Theater to that effect.  Attendance for the show we attended was so sparse you almost felt bad for the performer, and the comic show was quite good.

 

4 hours ago, RNRcruisers said:

 

We only went to two shows but they were both quite full.

 

 

And there's the difference to me - in a large theater, if everyone is distanced, it is a lot different than a nearly full theater.  But they don't write complex rules.  Logically, considering masks are for when cannot be distanced, it shouldn't matter in a partially-filled theater - especially considering a much longer time in the DR than the length of a theater production is okay without masking at all.  If everyone used common sense, shouldn't be a need to get in a knot about it.

 

I've been to trivia in the pre-Covid era where there were so few teams, they were at least 10' apart.

 

Edited January 24, 2022 by Steelers36

[Senga]

21 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

On the Grand last month sitting in the theatre they announced sip and cover but I didn't see much compliance.

Which is why we canceled our May Alaska cruise.

[newistcruiseaddict]

We are just off Carival Valor and they are doing sip and cover but also poorly enforced. We only had one bartender ask us to re-mask. However one night in the lobby the band kept issuing threats and finally ended the show early. From what I could see from my view point everyone had a mask except people at the bar over 50-60ft away, most of them with their back to the band. 

[suzyed]

4 hours ago, Senga said:

Which is why we canceled our May Alaska cruise.

There was very good compliance on the SKY!

[Hlitner]

I see these kind of threads on many of the cruise line blogs and am fascinated by some of the responses.  As one who has continued to travel during the pandemic, and taken 3 cruises since August (48 days total) including 20 days on the Enchanted Princess I will offer this suggestion.  For folks that obsess on various rules (which may or may not be used or enforced by the time they cruise) the best advice is just stay home!  You might want to plan on staying home for the next several years as there will likely be constantly changing rules on cruises and on land.  If you stay home then you have nothing to whine about!

 

For those of us who travel/cruise it is just a matter of adapting to the circumstances and rules that exist on our trip/cruise.  Things are ever changing so for those who are unable or unwilling to adapt (without an attitude) you should consider staying home!  For those of us who understand that "rolling with the waves" is the new norm for  both travel and cruising than travel/cruising can be lots of fun.  And with many of the whiners staying home it actually improves things onboard ships.  Our three cruises (in the past 6 months) have all been very good experiences.  And yes, there were some times on the Enchanted Princess cruise when "sip and cover" was the policy and we did our best to comply.  It was truly not a big deal.  If there was nobody else in the area we we did cheat (leaving our masks off) which we thought was common sense.  If in a crowd then we were careful to follow the masking policies.   But none of this was a big deal (we loved being on the ship) but simply a minor annoyance that is the norm for travel in today's world.  

 

So for all the whiners that have their own reasons for not wanting to comply with whatever rules might exist on their cruise we do suggest that they consider staying in their own homes where they can make their own rules.  You will likely be happier in your own environment and those who are on the cruise you would have taken will likely be happier for your absence.  So it is a win-win.

 

Getting back to the sip and cover issue, on our two Princess cruises it was the posted policy in the main theater and Princess Live.  Most of the folks we saw were generally compliant.  There were certainly a few scofflaws and we seldom saw any anyone demanding compliance.   But I imagine if anyone had tried to enforce the rules they would have been greeted by applause from most in the area.   

 

I will also say we did our share of socializing on the Enchantment and COVID and related rules never came up in the conversation.  Those we met wanted to chat about the usual travel/cruise subjects, what to do in the ports, which wine is decent, etc.   

 

Hank

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, Senga said:

Which is why we canceled our May Alaska cruise.

That may not even be policy by May.  Things change quickly one way and the other with the pandemic.

 

ETA:  But, I should have added that anyone who wants to continue to wear masks when the mandate/rule relaxes or goes away will be welcome to do so.  I can't imagine a policy where they will say masks are not to be worn anywhere on board.

 

I can imagine that as the pandemic wanes - and all the experts do say this will end - there are going to be folks who want everyone to continue masking and such, while others will be happy to be free to make their own choices.  I can see this evolving into similar debates and expectations as with clothing recommendations (a group that wants a strict set of rules and a group that is happy with flexibility in choice).

 

It's not the case today, but we all know the end of the pandemic is coming and some will be more than ready for it and others will still be cautious and nervous.

Edited January 25, 2022 by Steelers36

[leck57]

6 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

I can imagine that as the pandemic wanes - and all the experts do say this will end - there are going to be folks who want everyone to continue masking and such, while others will be happy to be free to make their own choices.  I can see this evolving into similar debates and expectations as with clothing recommendations (a group that wants a strict set of rules and a group that is happy with flexibility in choice).

 

It's not the case today, but we all know the end of the pandemic is coming and some will be more than ready for it and others will still be cautious and nervous.

 

Spot on again @Steelers36 and I notice just now that the UK will open up to fully vaccinated tourists from 11 Feb with no need to get tested at all and no masks. So.....the good days are coming. It will be later on cruise ships as so many people have underlying medical conditions which are obviously more risky out at sea. Sure there will still be some that will wear masks for ever and a day but not me, and based on the poor numbers of people cruising at present, I'll bet the cruise lines can't wait for that day. 

[Jadn13]

Signs and announcements by cruise staff are being used in venues as a reminder of the rule. 

If this is to much of a hinderance  on your vacation, I wouldn’t cruise right now. 

[sandsunsurf]

Majestic in November didn't have any "sip and cover" policy that I recall at all- even the term is new (though obvious) to me. Most people wore a mask most times while inside and many would "sip and cover" in Princess Live! during game shows. Not as much during trivia, but there was usually plenty of social distancing for trivia. Dining and at bars people would remove masks when seated with a drink. This is how it is in most casinos in Nevada right now (shows = sip and cover, seated at bar/restaurant = take off mask until finished), so I'm pretty used to the drill. 

[smbt1]

5 minutes ago, sandsunsurf said:

Majestic in November didn't have any "sip and cover" policy that I recall at all- even the term is new (though obvious) to me. Most people wore a mask most times while inside and many would "sip and cover" in Princess Live! during game shows. Not as much during trivia, but there was usually plenty of social distancing for trivia. Dining and at bars people would remove masks when seated with a drink. This is how it is in most casinos in Nevada right now (shows = sip and cover, seated at bar/restaurant = take off mask until finished), so I'm pretty used to the drill. 

It changed in the middle of December when Omicron cases started showing up on ships.

[dog]

Should be interesting on March 28. Sky cruise out of Southampton. UK has said some restrictions are being scrapped which includes masks. 
my opinion-  don’t touch mask so much. Sip & cover is ridiculous 

[Steelers36]

43 minutes ago, dog said:

Should be interesting on March 28. Sky cruise out of Southampton. UK has said some restrictions are being scrapped which includes masks. 
my opinion-  don’t touch mask so much. Sip & cover is ridiculous 

It will be the mask mandate being scrapped.  Ontario has signaled going in the same direction (but date has been shoved off somewhat and no announced).  I don't see the UK thing changing Princess anytime soon.  I'd be looking to CDC recommending dropping it as Princess appears to be following that body.  Also, once in international waters, won't it still be the ship rule, just as it is now?

 

Not that I am pounding the table to keep mask mandate, mind you.  I'd like to see it gone ASAP.  But I don't think the UK is going to be making the decision for Princess.

[dog]

42 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

It will be the mask mandate being scrapped.  Ontario has signaled going in the same direction (but date has been shoved off somewhat and no announced).  I don't see the UK thing changing Princess anytime soon.  I'd be looking to CDC recommending dropping it as Princess appears to be following that body.  Also, once in international waters, won't it still be the ship rule, just as it is now?

 

Not that I am pounding the table to keep mask mandate, mind you.  I'd like to see it gone ASAP.  But I don't think the UK is going to be making the decision for Princess.

No the UK is not making decisions on Princess protocols   
I am thinking of compliance to the rules on-board. Will see. So far, good reports from what I have heard from earlier sailings