NCL Drop Masks Mandate as of March 1st - Will HAL Follow?

[lovetocruisee]

27 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Interesting. In other posts here on CC you claim to be an agent. 

 

You must have quite the busy professional life...

   As a matter of fact I do.   Thank for that..

[0106]

20 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

10 days is gon.

What does this mean?  Isn't HAL requiring a 10 day quarantine if you test positive while on the ship?

[12cruise2]

Let's follow the (NCL) money--aren't they in a somewhat precarious position financially?  Well, if they drop the mask mandate, they may be hoping folks will flock toward their line--follow the money is one good way to look at why they are dropping the mask mandate, I believe.

Remember, if they start having cases on board, they won't be allowed in ports, and who knows, in very short time, they may have to start requiring masks again.  Hoping all this illness, testing and masks can be over doesn't make it over.

It's all in the advertising. . . and the money.

[KirkNC]

2 hours ago, lovetocruisee said:

You are missing the point.  I’ve been double vaxed and BOOSTED.  At that point it is just you if you feel a mask is necessary.    The science shows that if you want to wear a mask..fine, but it’s nt going to help

And you are missing my point.  I am talking about a lot more then wearing a mask.  This popular concept that people will weigh the risks and do the right thing (for everyone not just themselves) is laughable.

[KirkNC]

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Interesting. In other posts here on CC you claim to be an agent. 

 

You must have quite the busy professional life...

Must be a secret agent 😜🙄

[*Miss G*]

55 minutes ago, dockman said:

REALLY?

 

As of September 16, 2021, the Florida Department of Health had reported 3,485,163 COVID-19 cases^[ii] and 51,240 deaths^[iii] among residents of the state.^[11][3] As of December 2021, among all US states Florida has the eighth-highest per capita case rate.^[12] As of July 2021, one in every five new COVID-19 cases recorded in the United States came from Florida.^[13] Since the start of the pandemic approximately 1 of every 402 Florida residents has died of COVID-19.^[12]

 

It was sarcasm.

 

46 minutes ago, lovetocruisee said:

 big secret here 🤫 it’s to protect US..

 

Exactly.

[mcrcruiser]

Because we are in our 80s we wear masks  in every time we enter a store . We also recovered from omnicron . 

 

 imo ,there is too many people telling people what to do . Until this virus is gone or more under control ,all we can say is use caution when making life changing decisions . 

 

 

[cruzin4us]

I'd like to do away with mandatory masks as well.  On a Princess cruise back in October masks were encouraged by not mandated except embarkation/debarkation, lining up for dinner, elevators etc.   From what I witnessed:   People seemed to be using their common sense, when there was a crowd, the masks were on.   When walking down the hall and no one was around the masks were off.   This is a no win situation for whatever side of the fence you are on.   My 83 year old parents just got back from a cruise where masks were mandatory everywhere except eating/drinking and they still came down with Omicron.   The blessing is they were vaccinated and they only had a few cold like symptoms for a few days.   

My point is, no matter how careful you are, you can still get it.   If you don't want to get it, don't leave your house which would include not cruising.  I'm vaccinated & boosted and if it's my time to go, then it's my time to go.   I don't want to waste the rest of my life living in perpetual fear.    The stress and anxiety that has taken over our society is not healthy and it's pitted friends and families against each other.

I only have so much sand in my hour glass left and I don't want to waste it hunkered down in my home.  

[smbt1]

19 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

This is what NCL did in December.  We gave them a try because of that policy.  There were no problems.  Some ports required masks when off the ship.  We complied when required.  

Of course NCL changed that policy (masking optional) when they had a couple of episodes with a fair number of cases on board ship.  While they have had some cases since they changed the policy to require masks, not the numbers they had before changing the policy.

 

Prior to Omicron the number of cases on board was pretty limited so no real need for masking to reduce R0 on board.  Will be interesting to see what their case numbers do after the change.

 

The case numbers are dropping rapidly but still 20X what they were last summer.

 

 

[Spire2000]

UPDATE

Royal has now announced that they are also dropping their mask mandate as of Monday, on the vaccinated areas of their ships. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by Spire2000

[smbt1]

37 minutes ago, cruzin4us said:

I'd like to do away with mandatory masks as well.  On a Princess cruise back in October masks were encouraged by not mandated except embarkation/debarkation, lining up for dinner, elevators etc.   From what I witnessed:   People seemed to be using their common sense, when there was a crowd, the masks were on.   When walking down the hall and no one was around the masks were off.   This is a no win situation for whatever side of the fence you are on.   My 83 year old parents just got back from a cruise where masks were mandatory everywhere except eating/drinking and they still came down with Omicron.   The blessing is they were vaccinated and they only had a few cold like symptoms for a few days.   

My point is, no matter how careful you are, you can still get it.   If you don't want to get it, don't leave your house which would include not cruising.  I'm vaccinated & boosted and if it's my time to go, then it's my time to go.   I don't want to waste the rest of my life living in perpetual fear.    The stress and anxiety that has taken over our society is not healthy and it's pitted friends and families against each other.

I only have so much sand in my hour glass left and I don't want to waste it hunkered down in my home.  

Keep in mind that the purpose of masking is not necessarily to protect each and every individual.  Too many variables concerning type, handling, fit, etc. for it to accomplish that.  What it is intended for is to reduce R0. If it impacts the spread rate by 1/3 that would result in significantly fewer cases occurring on a cruise.  The combination of masking and vaccinations would reduce an R0 of 10, down into an R0 of 3-4.  A substantial reduction in the number of transmissions, even though some cases will still occur.

[dockman]

3 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

It was sarcasm.

 

 

Exactly.

 joking about a virus that has killed millions is not my idea of a good laugh

[iceman93]

55 minutes ago, Spire2000 said:

UPDATE

Royal has now announced that they are also dropping their mask mandate as of Monday, on the vaccinated areas of their ships. 

 

Good news indeed!

 

Now what might be interesting from a business perspective are the discussions undoubtedly underway at HAL HQ.  They *could* decide to buck the trend and continue their own on-board mask mandate, due to what's seen as a largely older/higher-risk clientele who might prefer it that way.  I'm sure that's what the various surveys HAL has been sending out have been trying to gauge.

 

Without question, if they keep the mask mandate while everyone else has removed theirs, I'll be changing cruise lines.  But I know it's not about me, it's about the calculus that works best for HAL's bottom line.  I suspect we'll hear one way or the other by the end of the week, or the end of the month at worst.  Because the one thing I can say with confidence is that uncertainty about future restrictions is the worst of all worlds, causing cancellations and preventing bookings from folks on both sides of the issue.

[KirkNC]

48 minutes ago, iceman93 said:

 

Good news indeed!

 

Now what might be interesting from a business perspective are the discussions undoubtedly underway at HAL HQ.  They *could* decide to buck the trend and continue their own on-board mask mandate, due to what's seen as a largely older/higher-risk clientele who might prefer it that way.  I'm sure that's what the various surveys HAL has been sending out have been trying to gauge.

 

Without question, if they keep the mask mandate while everyone else has removed theirs, I'll be changing cruise lines.  But I know it's not about me, it's about the calculus that works best for HAL's bottom line.  I suspect we'll hear one way or the other by the end of the week, or the end of the month at worst.  Because the one thing I can say with confidence is that uncertainty about future restrictions is the worst of all worlds, causing cancellations and preventing bookings from folks on both sides of the issue.

That maybe the most accurate thing said on this thread.

[catfluff]

3 hours ago, KirkNC said:

Must be a secret agent 😜🙄

In their defence, they didn’t say what kind of doctor. Could be from our local Rug Doctor.

[whirlybird3]

19 hours ago, PACD_JG said:

 

So much for facts.  The N95 mask was literally designed to block OUT 95% of aerosols from coming in, not to keep in 95% of aerosols from coming out.  If the people you pass are vulnerable or live with the vulnerable, than it is their responsibility to protect themselves.   If you're vaccinated and boosted and properly wear an N95, you honestly shouldn't even worry about catching Covid, but again, so much for facts.

I have been working though the entire pandemic taking care of full blown COVID patients wearing a N95.  Yes, it works.  

 

As for the basic simple mask ... The hospital staff has always worn them during surgical procedures, for example in the OR.  You do not want anyone breathing or spit from talking in an open surgical wound.  It is to protect the patient. Also pre-pandemic, if we came to work with a common cold ... We would wear a simple mask.  This is to prevent in giving a common cold to my co-workers or patients.  

18 hours ago, shebag said:

Funny how the virus knows not to infect us while eating or drinking!!  Just saying

And this is how a batch of nurses caught COVID in the break room.  It is the risk we take.  Since the pandemic, I now eat in the report room away from the shared break room from several departments to minimize exposure.  

2 hours ago, Spire2000 said:

UPDATE

Royal has now announced that they are also dropping their mask mandate as of Monday, on the vaccinated areas of their ships. 

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/02/09/royal-caribbean-will-end-stricter-face-mask-rules-its-cruise-ships?fbclid=IwAR1YeglG9Mz0Lppxl0c8EJ9VaKA0KwavULTtQE7B6x2GiNkslNx_7Tl_VLY

[hapzfl]

3 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

I'd like to do away with mandatory masks as well.  On a Princess cruise back in October masks were encouraged by not mandated except embarkation/debarkation, lining up for dinner, elevators etc.   From what I witnessed:   People seemed to be using their common sense, when there was a crowd, the masks were on.   When walking down the hall and no one was around the masks were off.   This is a no win situation for whatever side of the fence you are on.   My 83 year old parents just got back from a cruise where masks were mandatory everywhere except eating/drinking and they still came down with Omicron.   The blessing is they were vaccinated and they only had a few cold like symptoms for a few days.   

My point is, no matter how careful you are, you can still get it.   If you don't want to get it, don't leave your house which would include not cruising.  I'm vaccinated & boosted and if it's my time to go, then it's my time to go.   I don't want to waste the rest of my life living in perpetual fear.    The stress and anxiety that has taken over our society is not healthy and it's pitted friends and families against each other.

I only have so much sand in my hour glass left and I don't want to waste it hunkered down in my home.  

That was October. Then came the Omicron wave. In November they required masks everywhere. We felt safer on the ship than at home.

[whirlybird3]

Celebrity just updated their website:

 

Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino. Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

29 minutes ago, whirlybird3 said:

Celebrity just updated their website:

 

Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino. Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking.

The no mask wave seems to be growing...they will all be gone inside a month.    We will be mask free on airplanes and in airports on March 18th when the current rules expire.

[KAKcruiser]

Unless the new variant takes hold.

[Cinder Again]

Encouraging news indeed!

[Sir PMP]

No masks for passengers and crew...

[prescottbob]

8 hours ago, jhannah said:

I would welcome removal of testing and mask requirements for those vaxed and boosted . The sooner the better.

Ditto!

 

Be well.

Bob

[dockman]

2 hours ago, Sir PMP said:

No masks for passengers and crew...

I will continue to listen to the experts and follow their recommendations.  Contrary to many laymen I do not claim to know more than scientists who have dedicated decades to studying viruses and have mountains of data to back their recommendations.  IF everyone would have gotten the vaccines and followed the protocols from day one I suspect millions of lives would have been saved not to mention strain on hospital staffs, wrecking worldwide economies, disrupting travel for years, etc.

[Spire2000]

I asked my HAL PCC earlier about HAL's plan given these changes today and she said:

 

"I keep hearing about this yesterday and today. We have not announced any changes yet"